Peace Center of USA

JCRC-NY and Community Leaders Celebrate Rosh Hashanah with Unity and Reflection

New York, September 18, 2025 – The Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY), UJA-Federation of NY, and the Queens Jewish Community Council hosted a Rosh Hashanah Celebration: New York, New Year, New Connections, at the World’s Fair Marina in Flushing, NY.

The event brought together the New York State Secretary, New York State Public Advocate, Queens Borough President, Manhattan Borough President, the Speaker of the New York City Council, members of the New York State Senate and Assembly, City Council Members, and other distinguished officials, along with interfaith leaders and community members. Together, they celebrated the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, in a spirit of joy, reflection, and unity.

Among the interfaith leaders in attendance was Imam Muhammad Shahidullah, Queens County Liaison of the New York State Interfaith Council, who joined faith representatives from across traditions in reaffirming shared values of peace, compassion, and community.

Traditional symbols of Rosh Hashanah, including apples and honey, were shared to signify hope and a sweet new year. The gathering emphasized the importance of strengthening ties across communities, fostering mutual respect, and advancing interfaith understanding.

The celebration highlighted New York’s enduring commitment to building bridges across neighborhoods and faith communities, ensuring that the city’s diversity continues to be its strength.

Women play a vital role in preventing conflict, helping communities recover, and building peace.

UNIFIL-PIO peacekeepers recently joined forces with Lebanese security institutions and local women leaders from south Lebanon during three events focused on strengthening women’s roles in both security institutions and in post-conflict community settings.

UNIFIL continues to promote women’s meaningful participation in Lebanon’s security forces and in local decision-making, recognizing it as an essential element for long-term peace and stability.

Read more ➡️ https://unifil.unmissions.org/peacekeepers-support-women-lebanon%E2%80%99s-armed-forces-and-local-communities

38th Interreligious Prayer Gathering for World Peace Held on Mount Hiei, Japan
Global Religious Leaders Unite in Spirit of Harmony and Peace

Kyoto, Japan — August 6, 2025:
On the sacred grounds of Mount Hiei, overlooking Kyoto, the 38th annual Interreligious Prayer Gathering for World Peace brought together religious and spiritual leaders from across the globe. The historic event, held at Enryakuji Temple—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the headquarters of the Tendai Buddhist tradition—has long stood as a beacon of unity, resilience, and hope for humanity.

This year’s gathering was marked by a renewed urgency for global peace amid growing conflicts, climate crises, and humanitarian challenges. Faith representatives from Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Shintoism, Indigenous traditions, and other spiritual paths stood side by side in solemn prayer, dialogue, and reflection.

In his opening remarks, Rev. Koei Morikawa, the 257th Head Priest of the Tendai denomination, emphasized the theme of this year’s gathering: “Compassion Across Borders, Peace Beyond Boundaries.” He urged participants to recommit to nonviolence, interfaith solidarity, and service to the vulnerable.

Among the international participants were prominent interfaith figures including:
• Imam Muhammad Shahidullah, CEO of Save the People USA
• Rev. TK Nakagaki, President of the Heiwa Peace and Reconciliation Foundation
• Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer, Executive Director of the Interfaith Center of New York
• Rabbi Alan Greenbaum, representing the Jewish Council for Justice and Peace
• Venerable Napan Santibhaddo, from Thailand’s monastic peace delegation

Each offered prayers in their tradition for the healing of war-torn regions, victims of natural disasters, and the spiritual awakening of humankind. Messages of unity from Pope Francis, the Dalai Lama, and the UN Secretary-General were read aloud, reaffirming the global significance of this enduring interfaith gathering.

Special attention was given to youth participation and climate concerns. A peace bell was rung 108 times—symbolizing purification and renewal—while young people from Japan, Palestine, Ukraine, and Sudan lit candles of peace and hope.

The event concluded with a “Circle of Unity” ceremony, where all delegates joined hands in silence facing the city of Hiroshima, remembering the atomic bombing 80 years ago and recommitting to a world free of nuclear weapons.

As Mount Hiei echoed with chants and prayers in dozens of languages, this sacred convergence reminded the world once again: peace is not only possible—it is essential.

https://cj-news.org/domestic/peace/2590/

諸宗教者が共に「世界平和 祈りの集い」　比叡山（ひえいざん）宗教サミット３８周年 | カトリックジャパンニュース 　仏教、キリスト教、イスラム、神道など、多様な宗教の指導者らが共に平和を祈る「比叡山宗教サミット３８周年『世界平和祈りの集い』」が８月４日、比叡山（ひえいざん／大津市）で行われ、約４５０人が参加した。...

https://www.tendai.or.jp/summit/

比叡山宗教サミット 宗教は本来、止悪作善を促し、神仏の恩寵により人々の心に平安をもたらす働きがある。人類普遍の願いもまた、日々の生活の平安でありこれを願わぬ者はいない。しかし、現実は様々な欲によって互いを疑い、憎悪し争い...

https://oomoto.or.jp/wp/information/seichinonews/hieizan20250804/

比叡山宗教サミット38周年「世界平和祈りの集い」（８月４日） – 大本公式日本語サイト ８月４日午後１時より、比叡山延暦寺（滋賀県大津市坂本）を会場に、比叡山宗教サミット38周年「世界平和祈りの集

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