2022 Events and Activities

2022 NOTABLE EVENTS

The Interfaith Conference issued statements and/or its faith leaders participated in rallies against hate and violence:

  1. In response to Antisemitism, including an attack and hostage incident at the Beth El Synagogue in Colleyville, TX, vandalism at a Racine synagogue, and hate-filled leaflets being distributed in Kenosha, Racine, and Oak Creek;
  2. Concerning the unjust invasion of Ukraine by Russia;
  3. About the spate of Anti-Asian violence and slurs arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic and its alleged origins; and
  4. In reaction to continued gun violence, including but not limited to a May 27th rally and statements following the shooting of school children in Uvalde, and continued support for red flag and closing gun show loophole laws, including legislation pending before Congress.

The Interfaith Conference’s educational programs included a four-part Interfaith conversation series, three conversations on preventing gun violence, and programs on faith in prison, unconscious racial bias, peace, how racism distorts the human spirit, and dealing with the pandemic, among others.

The Interfaith Conference continued its partnership with the Wisconsin Council of Churches in arranging to conduct dozens of vaccination clinics and educational events, reaching out to or thousands of persons, mostly in historically medically under-served communities.

The Interfaith Conference’s held an environmental webinar (“Prosperity in a Fossil-free Economy”) and its PIIC Committee’s Tuesdays in March held a series of lectures with under the theme of “Confronting Climate Change with Hope”. The Conference partners with MICAH in the Coalition on Lead Emergency (COLE) campaign.

The Interfaith Conference participates in nonpartisan Get Out the Vote (GOTV) efforts with Souls to the Polls and/or the League of Women Voters.

The Interfaith Conference through its faith leaders and executive director Pardeep Kaleka play a major role in the 10th Anniversary commemoration of the August 5, 2012, Sikh Temple shooting in Oak Creek.

Pardeep Kaleka resigns from his position as Executive Director, effective September 2, 2022, to take a position with Not In Our Town, which uses documentary film, media, and organizing to stop hate, address bullying, and build safe, inclusive communities. Not In Our Town is the primary program of The Working Group, an Oakland, California-based nonprofit media production company founded in 1988. Ahmed Quereshi, current Secretary of the Interfaith Conference and a Cabinet member representing the Islamic Society of Milwaukee since 2003, is named interim executive director September 19, 2022.

In returning to in-person Amazing Faith Dinner Dialogues after the Covid pandemic, the Interfaith Conference partners with the Milwaukee Art Museum at a highly successful October 6th event focusing on Faith and Art.

The Interfaith Conference Cabinet begins a reevaluation of its vision and mission with its first in-person retreat since 2019, a project which will continue into 2023.

The Interfaith Conference held its 52nd Annual Luncheon at Marquette University’s Alumni Memorial Union on December 5th, returning to an in-person annual luncheon event for the first-time since 2019, due to the Covid pandemic. In a highly successful and well-received event, more than 225 persons attended, and the Interfaith Conference handed out all four of its major awards for the first-time since 2019: the Sikh Community received the Huebschmann Urban Ministry Award; Jackie Haessly and Dan Di Domizio received the Zeidler Award; Pastor Teresa Howell-Smith received the Rohlfing Award; and Nicole Christian received the Emerging Leader Award.

UPCOMING EVENTS