Peace & Community

The Festival of Peace is this weekend! If you live in the New York area, we hope you will join us at the Fellowship of Reconciliation's national headquarters in Nyack for this event to celebrate the peace community. Below is detailed information about this weekend's festivities.

This week will feature several events starting tomrorow, culminating with the Festival of Peace on Sunday. This year's Festival will be highlighted with awards ceremonies for three prestigious peace prizes and a visit by international dignitaries from the World Council of Churches. The Festival will feature international dishes donated by over 20 area restaurants. A wide variety of musical artists and other activities will entertain people of all ages.

We hope to see you here!

Festival of Peace details:

• Other events

  The weekend of activities will begin Thursday, Sept. 13 with a critical look at video’s influence on the war in Iraq. A screening of the film “When I Came Home” will be followed by a panel discussion of veterans and filmmakers. The film, which documents the challenges a returning veteran faces, will set the stage for the open-floor discussion. Starting at 7 p.m. at Riverspace, 119 Main Street, Nyack, N.Y., tickets are $10.

  A boat ride for freedom and justice aboard the luxury yacht, Zephyr, will carry on the festivities, Friday, Sept. 14. Departing from Tarrytown, the round-trip cruise to the George Washington Bridge will include music, food and drinks. The boat will sail from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. with boarding time at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50 and $100 and can be purchased by contacting Anita Fee at anita@forusa.org or 845-358-4601.

  Third in the series of events, a bias awareness workshop “Reaching for Resolutions” will explore the meaning of bias. Facilitated by Creative Response to Conflict, the workshop will probe how cultural differences and power dynamics lead to bias and different ways to interrupt it. The event will be from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 15 at the Fellowship of Reconciliation, 521 N. Broadway, Nyack, N.Y. The price is $100 with scholarships available. For more information contact Anissa New-Walker, anewwalker@crc-global.org or 845-353-1796.

• Festival schedule

  1:00 – 1:05pm Welcome by Executive Director Mark C. Johnson
  1:05 – 1:20pm Peace through Play Nursery School
  1:20 – 1:35pm Mizu
  1:35 – 1:50pm Sharleen Leahey
  1:50 – 2:05pm Paula Larke
  2:10 – 2:20pm World Council of Churches “Living Letters” - delegation of international peacemakers
  2:20 – 2:35pm Marianne Osiel, singer/songwriter
  2:40 – 2:55pm “Peace Troubadour” Cecilia St. King with special guest Vincenza Dante
  3:00 – 3:20pm Presentation of FOR Peace Prizes
  - FOR National Council Chairperson Ed McManus presents FOR’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Award to Samina Faheem Sundas.
  - FOR Communications Co-Coordinator Ethan Vesely-Flad presents FOR’s International Pfeffer Peace Prize to Mel Duncan.
  - FOR Development Director Anita Fee presents FOR’s Festival of Peace Award to Phil & Fran Greenspan.

  3:20 – 3:35pm Tommy Thompson
  3:40 – 3:55pm Wendy Wall with Baker Lee
  4:00 – 4:15pm The Roues Brothers
  4:15 – 4:30pm The Damsels
  4:35 – 4:50pm Liza Maytok
  4:50 – 4:55pm Closing by National Council Chairperson Ed McManus

  2:00pm & 4:00pm: building tours

  4:00pm: silent auction closing

  Schedule is subject to change.

• Awards

  Samina Faheem Sundas, executive director of American Muslim Voice (www.amuslimvoice.org), will receive FOR's 2007 Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Prize for her organization’s work to bridge gaps between communities and unite us all under the umbrella of our common humanity. A nonviolent, grassroots organization founded in 2003, the American Muslim Voice (AMV) seeks to foster lifelong friendships between Muslims and all communities. The AMV works with Muslim and multi-faith organizations that share their vision, dedication and commitment to preserve and protect civil liberties, constitutional, and human rights for all.

  Mel Duncan, executive director of Nonviolent Peaceforce (www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org), will receive FOR's 2007 Pfeffer Peace Prize on behalf of his organization's courageous efforts in conflict regions around the world. The mission of the Peaceforce is to build a trained global civilian corps committed to nonviolent peacekeeping and to apply proven strategies to protect human rights, deter violence, and help create space in which local peacemakers can carry out their work. The Peaceforce currently has teams working in Sri Lanka, Guatemala, and the Philippines and its work will soon expand to conflict zones in Uganda and Colombia.

  Local activists Phil and Fran Greenspan will also be honored with the Festival of Peace award. The Greenspans have worked tirelessly in Westchester and Rockland Counties for years to promote peace and justice and educate their communities.

• Silent auction

  “Don’t Miss” Items:

  1. One-week Caribbean vacation at the Aruba Vistalmar Hotel
  2. LXD500 Telescope & Tripod
  3. Doggie get-away weekend with trainer Laurie Rubenfeld
  4. Joan Baez’s autographed “Gone From Danger” CD
  5. World-famous DJ Bobbito Garcia’s one-of-a-kind basketball sneakers
  6. Lunch with peace activists Richard Deats & George Houser

  Art Work:

  1. Prints & drawings & pottery
  2. Hand-woven shawls from Pakistan & U.S.
  3. Persian rug & African stool
  4. Klay Gallery wooden wall sculpture

  Restaurant Gift Certificates:

  • Cheesecake Factory, La Fontana, Lanterna, Old 76 House, Reality Bites, River Club, Sushi Sakurabana, TGI Fridays, Vertigo & Village Grille

  Healing Arts & Pampering:

  1. Whole Women Healing workshop
  2. Birchwood Center Yoga Class Gift Certificates
  3. Pilates Central mat class & one-to-one training
  4. Gift certificates for acupuncture, zero balancing & healing
  5. Weleda gift basket & spa certificate

  Splendid Etceteras:

  1. Rockland Center for the Arts children’s class
  2. Fuzziwhigs haircut by Rebecca
  3. Hungry Hollow Co-op gift basket
  4. Saris Guardian II bike rack
  5. Books, cds, posters and more
• Special guests

  Four international leaders from the World Council of Churches are beginning their U.S. tour by participating in the Festival. The group will visit with people around the country working to overcome violence. This will give international visitors a window into the situation in the U.S., and the New York community a window into perceptions and experience of Christians in South Africa, Pakistan, Lebanon, and Brazil. While in the U.S., the team will also visit sites where there has been violence or where it is all too common, such as Virginia Tech, as well as visit with the Amish whose example of forgiveness so touched the world.

• Thanks

  We will be offering food for sale from these great local restaurants: Black Bear Saloon, Bourbon Street of Nyack, Casa Del Mar, Casa Del Sol, Didier Dumas, El Molino, Gracie's Ravioli, The Hudson House, Lefteris Gyro, Main Essentials, Nyack Hot Bagels, O’Donoghues, Panera Bread, Pizza Bistro, Planet Wings, Rockland Bakery, Roxy’s Deli, Runcible Spoon, Taal, Tarantella’s, Turiellos, Two Greeks & a Gyro.

  And many thanks to our generous sponsors including Creative Financial Planning, Back to Earth, Adam Lipson, and Sign of the Times.