Join the CommUnity Conversation & Be Part of the Solution!

La Convivencia connects diverse people of faith, race, and culture together with interactive dialogue and dynamic guest speakers on a variety of topics.
To participate in any of La Convivencia’s dialogues, workshops, service projects or events, please contact La Convivencia’s Volunteer Facilitator
​2020 Virtual Monthly Community Dialogue Schedule
 Saturday, September 26 at 3 pm | Sunday, October 11 at 3 pm|Sunday, October 25 at 3 pm |Sunday, November 15 at 3 pm
“The Intersection of Justice and Faith”
Tuesday, August 18 from 7:00-8:30 pm
 Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice”.
Justice is the cornerstone of any reputable faith. This justice is designed to enhance the life experiences of its followers, honor the humanity, and respect the diversity that was created by a higher entity.
Faith demands from every believer that they live their life in the quest for justice for all, without prejudice or desire for selfish gain. Amid the crippling challenges of the 20th century, the quest for this justice couldn’t ring truer. As a result, many have turned towards guidance based in their faith traditions to help them achieve the noble goal of justice. This does not diminish the efforts towards justice made by those who do not follow any organized religion. The vehicle through which justice is achieved varies, with some religions preaching faith thorough prayers or professed belief, while others encourage the practice of faith through action. Such a variety of approaches can easily lead to misunderstandings of a faith.
Join us as we explore the intersection of justice and faith in a few religions and dispel some of the misconceptions including time for live Q&A.
To register for the event, Please scroll to the bottom of the page.

Meet our Amazing Panelists!

Dr. Mohamed M. Yousef, Dr. of Engineering & Community Activist; New Jersey

Picture
Dr. Mohamed M. Yousef emigrated to the United States in the early 60’s and went on to attain his Doctorate in Engineering from the University of Michigan. While he was a student, he founded “The Muslim Student’s Association” in 1963; a forerunner of all national Muslim organizations in the US and Canada. As a budding young activist, Dr. Yousef went on to march for civil rights with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was the head of the faculty union in City University and also served as an advisor on Islam to the borough presidents and Mayor’s office. Dr. Yousef co-founded various Mosques in the NYC/NJ area and served as an active member and speaker. In 2007, he was selected to represent Muslims on a peace mission to Israel conducted by the Universal Peace Movement where he met and befriended Martin Luther King Junior III who was also in attendance representing the Christian faith on the same mission. In 1990, the highlight of Dr. Mohamed Yousef’s activism was his contribution in naming the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Expressway connecting the Staten Island Expressway with the Bayonne Bridge. Governor Mario Cuomo acknowledged and honored Dr. Yousef with the proclamation “ May 6, 2014  shall be known and proclaimed as the Yousef Day, in recognition of 45 years of service to higher education, Islam, and interfaith service to the people of Staten Island and New York.”

​Pam Lasazen, Baha’i Faith member and retired school teacher; Michigan


​Pam has taught students from elementary through college and adult basic education.  Her most recent position was at a middle school on an American military base in Japan, where she also held several offices in Phi Delta Kappa education fraternity and took part in planning and presenting at teacher training sessions.  She previously worked in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula, where she was an active member of the International and Michigan Reading Associations and cofounder and president of the Copper Country Reading Council; she also volunteered at the Dial Help crisis line and served on the board of the Keweenaw Food Co-op.  As a Baha’i she has served as a member of a Local Spiritual Assembly, an officer of a regional teaching committee, and children’s  religion instructor.

Tejkiran Singh, Community Volunteer; Michigan


​​Tejkiran Singh is Engineer by profession in Ford, MI. He is very involved in his community and volunteer at different organizations; a management volunteer at Gurudwara Sahib, Singh Sabha of Michigan; vice-President at Pheasant View Sub Division Home Owners Association; Patient Family Advisor at Beamount Hospital Wayne; Team Member for Canton Coalition for Communities (CCIC) led by Canton Police and Canton Library.

​Rabbi Adena Blum, Beth Chaim; New Jersey

Rabbi Adena Blum grew up in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, and began her Jewish journey at Har Sinai Temple. She is an alumna of The Lawrenceville School and Brandeis University, where she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies and a minor in Religious Studies. She received Master of Arts degrees in Hebrew Literature and Religious Education from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York, where she was also ordained in May 2014. Since ordination, Rabbi Blum has served Congregation Beth Chaim in West Windsor, New Jersey. She is involved with several local interfaith organizations including Windsor Hightstown Area Ministerium, the Religious Leaders of West Windsor, and Rville Cares (Robbinsville Faith Leaders).

Pastor Timothy Wotring, Pennsylvania

Timothy Wotring was born and raised in Cumberland, MD. He holds a BA in Theology and Sociology from Eastern University (St. Davids, PA) and an MDiv from Union Theological Seminary (New York City). Timothy is a church jack-of-all-trades. He's been a youth pastor, soup kitchen coordinator, Sunday School teacher, and a custodian when necessary. Currently, Timothy is the pastor of Memorial Presbyterian Church of Fox Chase, which is located in Northeast Philly. He enjoys watching movies, reading theology and science fiction, and playing the guitar. ​

    Registration Form 

     Required information *
    OPTIONAL: If you would like to receive text messages about La Convivencia programs, volunteer opportunities, and youth internship; enter your phone number above. Average frequency will be two messages per month. ​
    Media/Photo/Video Release: By participating this Zoom program, I hereby agree that La Convivencia may take and use any photographs or video/audio tape(s) of me or my family members for any educational or documentary purpose it deems necessary, including, but not limited to: posting on websites, distribution via the internet i.e. Facebook and other projects that promote the mission of this nonprofit organization. ​
    This event will be recorded on ZOOM and will be posted on all of La Convivencia’s platforms. ​
OPTIONAL DONATION: 
If you can, please donate to La Convivencia to help cover costs of this program and future ones. Any amount is appreciated!
La Convivencia is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization. All contributions are tax-deductible.