Join Us to Support Closing Rikers

The Interfaith Center of New York invites Manhattan faith leaders and lay leaders to stand with the Close Rikers Campaign at a critical public meeting on Thursday, July 31, 6:00–8:00 PM at 31 Chambers Street. This is a key moment to support the Manhattan borough-based jail plan—an essential step toward closing Rikers Island.

We’ll meet just outside the entrance to 31 Chambers Street at Elk Street & Chambers Street. Please try to arrive by 5:30pm so we can enter together as a unified presence. The meeting will run from 6pm – 8pm, in the lobby/first floor at 31 Chambers Street.

Opposition groups are pushing an alternative plan that would delay closing Rikers by 12–15 years. We need your visible and moral witness to affirm the urgency of closing Rikers now, grounding the conversation in justice and compassion.

Christians for a Free Palestine

Are you ready to build power for a free Palestine and challenge Christian Zionism in community? Derrick and Karen are forming a Riverside “Solidarity Circle” this fall with Christians for a Free Palestine (CFP), and they’re looking for two more co-leaders to join them—or start a new circle of your own! Solidarity Circles are spaces for political education, leadership development, spiritual formation, and collective action. No experience is necessary—CFP will provide all materials and support. The deadline to sign up as a Circle Leader is August 7, with a final info session this Sunday, August 3 at 6:00 PM.

Multifaith Mondays: Moral Witness for Democracy — Featuring Freedom Ride Speakers 

Mondays | 5:30pm – 6:00pm | Columbus Circle

Join Us for Weekly Vigils at Columbus Circle
Mondays | 5:30–6:00 PM
(Gather at the USS Maine Statue, SW corner of Central Park)

This week’s Multifaith Monday Vigil will feature reflections from participants in this summer’s Freedom Ride in Defense of our Democratic Rights, including Jean Schmidt (Church Council Chair) and Jeannie Lee (MSJ Commission Secretary).

In a time of deep division, we gather to lament, resist, and reclaim moral clarity. As Masha Gessen reminds us, “Autocratic power requires the degradation of moral authority.” By standing together, we strengthen it. All are welcome.

Multifaith Mondays: Moral Witness for Democracy — Featuring Freedom Ride Speakers 

Mondays | 5:30pm – 6:00pm | Columbus Circle

At our last Multifaith Monday vigil, we learned about the “One Single Act” initiative. The #OneSingleAct campaign invites every person to do a single act of care, courage, or connection – big or small – share it online – and invite one other person to do the same.

Yesterday, we were asked to contribute the monetary equivalent of our individual daily food cost to World Central Kitchen for their direct aid to Gaza.

Please make a contribution as you feel led to do so.