press release

Engage, Don’t Demonize

Posted September 29th, 2008 by FOR

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FOR responds to presidential debate; hosts historic meeting of U.S. peace groups with president of Iran

NEW YORK – In the wake of Friday’s presidential debate between Senators John McCain and Barack Obama – during which the candidates argued over when and under what circumstances they would consider meeting with Iran’s leadership – Fellowship of Reconciliation Executive Director Mark C. Johnson described as “positive and encouraging” two days of meetings between Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and U.S. peace and religious leaders. President Ahmadinejad was in New York last week to speak to the United Nations General Assembly.

On Wednesday, September 24th, the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) facilitated a historic meeting between Mr. Ahmadinejad and 150 leaders in the U.S. peace and anti-war community. “The Iranian president’s comments showed forward movement over the past four years on some important issues,” said the Iranian-born Leila Zand, who directs FOR’s Iran program. “While I am still disappointed about his comments on several topics, I believe there has been progress and that this shows the importance of increased communication between our countries.”

FOR convenes meeting of peace activists and President Ahmadinejad

Posted September 24th, 2008 by FOR

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BREAKING ANNOUNCEMENT: FOR convenes groundbreaking dialogue between President Ahmadinejad and American peace activists

Media Advisory - Wednesday, 9/24/08 5:00pm

What: The Fellowship of Reconciliation will convene a meeting between U.S. peace activists and the President of Iran.

Who: Over 150 leaders of the U.S. peace movement (see selected list below) and Iranian leaders, including President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, and U.N. Ambassador Mohammad Khazaee.

When: Wednesday, September 24th from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

Where: Mid-town Manhattan, in a location convenient to the United Nations.

Fourth Annual Festival of Peace in Nyack

Posted July 21st, 2008 by FOR

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The Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) will host its fourth annual Festival of Peace Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008 from 1:00 to 5:00 in Upper Nyack, New York. The popular event, which has attracted more than 400 residents of Rockland County and the lower Hudson Valley for the past three years, is FOR’s open house. The community is invited to enjoy the beautiful grounds of Shadowcliff, tour FOR’s national headquarters and learn more about the mission and programs. This year the theme of the festival, “Peace in the Human Family/Peace with the Earth,” will be celebrated with live international music, poetry, performance art, special activities and entertainment for children, plus a mixed media art exhibit and sale that features the work of local artists.

Jewish rabbi leads historic FOR peace delegation to Iran

Posted April 28th, 2008 by Ethan Vesely-Flad

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U.S. Civilian Diplomacy Delegation Departs for Iran;
Woman Rabbi Makes Historic Visit for Peace
April 28, 2008 -- For Immediate Release

In the wake of comments on April 21st by U.S. presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton, who responded to a question of a theoretical future attack by Iran on Israel by saying, “I want the Iranians to know that if I’m the president, we will attack Iran,” a 21-person interfaith peace delegation to Iran will depart New York on Tuesday, April 29, 2008. The two-week delegation is organized by the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR), the oldest and largest interfaith peace organization in the United States, and is FOR’s seventh fact-finding and friendship delegation to Iran.