I’m delighted to invite you to the inaugural Interfaith Leadership Award Breakfast on Wednesday, June 3, at the Legacy Club in Cherry Hill.
Sponsored by the Tri-County Religious Leaders Coalition of Southern New Jersey, the event honors individuals and organizations that strengthen our region through cross-cultural understanding and cooperation. These awards recognize those who counter hate and build relationships across lines of faith, race and culture.
This year’s honorees are Dana Redd, president and CEO of Camden Community Partnership Inc., who will receive the Courageous Leadership Award, and Pastor Ray Barnard of Impact Live Church, who will receive the Bridge Builder Award. The Community Impact Award will be presented to the Little Hands, Little Feet Organization of Saint Andrew’s United Methodist Church.
The program will also include a panel discussion, titled “The Power of Interfaith Collaboration,” featuring Rabbi Lewis Eron, rabbi emeritus at Lions Gate senior living in Voorhees; Dr. Waleed Naseem of Al Nasr Mosque in Willingboro; and me.
Through this interfaith coalition of religious leaders, we seek to foster greater cooperation and help transform religious diversity from a source of conflict into a force for civic engagement and peace. Interfaith collaboration is especially important today as we work to counter growing polarization, reduce bias based on religion or ethnicity, and build resilient communities grounded in unity and hope. By moving beyond dialogue to shared action on issues such as poverty, the environment and civil rights, faith communities and secular partners can turn diversity from a source of division into a strength that brings us together.
In a deeply divided society, interfaith initiatives can break down stereotypes, foster empathy, and help prevent extremist ideologies from taking root among vulnerable individuals and groups. By working together on complex challenges such as climate change, poverty and healthcare disparities, communities of faith can take meaningful action on issues that affect us all. Values-led interfaith cooperation also strengthens social connection, creates safe spaces where fear can give way to trust, and builds lasting relationships dedicated to a better world. As diverse faith communities, we can stand together to protect minority rights, support immigrants, combat religious discrimination and uphold the dignity of every person.
We created our interfaith board to bridge religious and cultural divides and help make South Jersey a place of meaningful relationships grounded in mutual trust and understanding. Our coalition brings diverse communities together to address shared challenges, break down stereotypes, strengthen social trust, and advance civic peace through opportunities for connection and unity. That is why we launched this inaugural award breakfast: to honor individuals among us who model the empathy, compassion, hospitality and peace that all our faith traditions uphold and promote.
Please join us on June 3 as we honor our recipients and strengthen unity across South Jersey. Together, we will celebrate our shared values, deepen our understanding of one another’s spiritual traditions, and move closer to a community shaped by God’s love for the world.
Father Joseph D. Wallace is diocesan director of Ecumenical and Inter-religious Affairs and pastor of Christ the Redeemer Parish, Atco.
If You Go
What: Inaugural Interfaith Leadership Award Breakfast
When: 8:30 a.m., June 3
Where: Legacy Club, 300 E. Evesham Road, Cherry Hill
R.S.V.P.: jcrcsnj.org/interfaithawards
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