March 2015
Tolerance, Respect, and Pluralism: Changing Relationships in a “Multi” World
Tolerance of those whose beliefs, practices, or customs differ from one’s own is a minimum requirement for living in the contemporary world, as it becomes increasingly multi-cultural, multi-religious, multi-ethnic, and multi-you-name-it. What might be necessary to move beyond tolerance to mutual respect, and how might that move change our understandings of community in a pluralistic context? The Pacifica Institute Speakers Series presents Rev. D. Andrew Kille, Chair of the Silicon Valley Interreligious Council, speaking on "Tolerance, Respect, and Pluralism." Free…
Find out more »Ashure Night
We dream a ship. On this ship people of the globe live in harmony with one another. As a cup of Noah's pudding, each nation embraces the other. We dream a ship. On this ship, everyone will be able to keep and retain their own identity, culture, faith, heritage, richness, and taste. Pacifica Institute cordially invites you to share the Noah's pudding contest with us. Download a flyer: ashure2015 Dinner will be served. Please RSVP to http://www.pacificasv.org/rsvp
Find out more »April 2015
Human Trafficking: Cindy Chavez
County Supervisor Cindy Chavez hit the ground running as soon as she was elected in July 2013. She immediately initiated efforts to: Improve county government transparency by regulating lobbyists Combating the scourge of human trafficking with a commission she co-chairs with the Sheriff and District Attorney Improving public transportation. Her public service career has been about putting people and their neighborhoods first, making lives better through innovative, visionary and thoughtful policies. She represents Central, South and East San Jose, a…
Find out more »May 2015
Community Appreciation Dinner
We will have Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith as our guest for a community appreciation dinner. Smith began her career at the Sheriff's Office in 1973, working as a Matron (the former title for a female Sheriff's Deputy) at the Santa Clara County Jail until 1976. She then became one of the first female permanent undercover vice cops. In 1990, Sheriff Chuck Gillingham promoted her to Assistant Sheriff. Smith was elected Sheriff of Santa Clara County on November 3,…
Find out more »June 2015
Ramadan Iftars
The Holy month of Ramadan, which is starting on June 18th this year, is a very special time for Muslims. During this 29 - 30 day period, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk after which time the fast is broken with a feast called 'Iftar'. We have set aside a few nights that month to share Ramadan with our special friends and were hoping you and your family, colleagues and their families from your office could join us for Iftar at Pacifica Institute,…
Find out more »The Path to Peace Through Interfaith Dialogue
Gerald Grudzen, President and Founder of Global Ministries University, will speak on "New Models of Interfaith Dialogue and Education in the US, South Asia, and Africa." Global Ministries University has pioneered diverse types of interfaith and intercultural education programs in the US, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Kenya, East Africa. Many of these programs have been developed in collaboration with the Hizmet Movement. We will discuss these new models that have brought greater understanding and cooperation among diverse faith communities. We plan…
Find out more »Ramadan Iftars
The Holy month of Ramadan, which is starting on June 18th this year, is a very special time for Muslims. During this 29 - 30 day period, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk after which time the fast is broken with a feast called 'Iftar'. We have set aside a few nights that month to share Ramadan with our special friends and were hoping you and your family, colleagues and their families from your office could join us for Iftar at Pacifica Institute,…
Find out more »July 2015
Ramadan Iftars
The Holy month of Ramadan, which is starting on June 18th this year, is a very special time for Muslims. During this 29 - 30 day period, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk after which time the fast is broken with a feast called 'Iftar'. We have set aside a few nights that month to share Ramadan with our special friends and were hoping you and your family, colleagues and their families from your office could join us for Iftar at Pacifica Institute,…
Find out more »Ramadan Iftars
The Holy month of Ramadan, which is starting on June 18th this year, is a very special time for Muslims. During this 29 - 30 day period, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk after which time the fast is broken with a feast called 'Iftar'. We have set aside a few nights that month to share Ramadan with our special friends and were hoping you and your family, colleagues and their families from your office could join us for Iftar at Pacifica Institute,…
Find out more »August 2015
Kevin Mullin, Assemblymember, District 22
Pacifica Speakers Series Assemblymember Kevin Mullin Kevin Mullin represents the 22nd Assembly District ( Belmont, Brisbane, Burlingame, Foster City, Hillsborough, Millbrae, Pacifica, Redwood City, San Bruno, San Carlos, San Mateo, portions of South San Francisco and the Coastside communities of Montara and Moss Beach). He serves as Speaker Pro-Tem for the 2015-16 legislative session. Born and raised in South San Francisco, Kevin has deep roots in San Mateo County. He attended public and Catholic elementary schools, graduated from Junipero Serra…
Find out more »September 2015
What Went Wrong in Turkey?
Sahin Alpay is a columnist for Turkish dailies Zaman (since 2002) and Today's Zaman (since 2007). He has previously served as editor and columnist at other leading Turkish dailies Cumhuriyet (1982 - 92), Sabah (1993 - 94) and Milliyet (1994 - 2001). He received Ph. D. degree in political science from Stockholm University (1981). He has lectured in various Turkish and Western universities, and mainly taught Turkish Politics and Comparative Politics courses at Bahcesehir University in Istanbul from 2001 until…
Find out more »October 2015
7th International Children’s Festival
of the children - by the children - for the children Food, Fun, & Dance. 3000+ visitors; 20 + cultural dances; Ethnic food; Fun at Kidsland; Balloons/ Facepainting; Clown; Pony Rides & More! Download a flyer: Childrens Festival 2015 Sponsored by Pacifica Institute and Bay Area Cultural Connections, together with Congressman Mike Honda, California Turkish-American Chamber of Commerce, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, Anatolia Cultural Centers, Silicon Valley Interreligious Council, Children's Discovery Museum, American Turkic Council, Santa Clara County Supervisor…
Find out more »November 2015
Tom Gage
"The Changing Center: Thoughts on Resilience in the Face of Ambiguity." Since 2010, Dr. Tom Gage, Professor Emeritus, Humboldt State University, has chaired the International Youth Platform of the Gulen Institute of Houston,Texas. This essay contest has brought more than a hundred winning student authors to Congress to receive awards from thirty-four nations and twenty-six states. During his more than fifty years in education, Dr. Gage has taught at every level. In 2014, he authored Gulen's Dialogue on Education: a Caravanserai…
Find out more »Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner
Dear Friends, The season is upon us, with Thanksgiving just around the corner. Pacifica Institute would like to invite you and yours to the Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner. In an effort to provide more ways to give thanks for the many blessings surrounding us, we encourage one and all to join the blanket drive arranged by Embrace Relief (embracerelief.org) for the benefit of Syrian refugees. If you would like to donate, please either donate directly to Embrace Relief on their…
Find out more »October 2016
Luncheon with Nicol Perez: Refugee Humanitarian Crisis
Suggested Donation: $25-50 (All proceeds will benefit UN Refugee efforts) RSVP Required. Please RSVP at pacificasv.eventbrite.com Nicol Perez is the 2016/2017 UN Youth Observer. Born in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, Nicol Perez immigrated to the US at age seven. She is a strong advocate for social and economic equality. Nicol’s experiences coming from Bolivia have fueled her passion for helping underprivileged communities gain access to the resources and support needed to have equal opportunities. Nicol graduated from the University of Florida…
Find out more »March 2017
Celebrating International Women’s Day 2017 with Supervisor Cindy Chavez
International Women's Day is coming up on March 8th. Please save the date and join us for a great speaker, supervisor Cindy Chavez, as well as opportunities to connect /network with others, great food, and a location with plenty of free parking. Come join Silicon Valley United Nations Association and Pacifica Institute and find out how you too can help to make the world a better place for everyone. Register at Eventbrite.
Find out more »Interfaith Passover Unity Seder
Led by Rabbi Laurie Hahn Tapper and Father George Aranha, this interfaith celebration of a Passover Seder will include Jewish, Christian and Muslim participants. Members of other Faith traditions are welcome, as well. RSVP by March 20 to Carol Rossi, 408-264-9786 or rossitwo@sbcglobal.net Questions: contact diane@jvalley.org or call 408-357-7504 Unity Seder Flyer
Find out more »April 2017
7th Annual Ashure Night
Pacifica Institute cordially invites you for sharing a wonderful evening of delicious food, rich Turkish coffee, dessert and live music while celebrating Noah's Pudding Day. It is a great opportunity to enjoy Noah's pudding, share our cultural values, appreciate the unity of all humanity, and celebrate the great gift of friendship. The program will also include a Noah's Pudding Contest! If you want to participate, just write us an e-mail at womensleague@pacificasv.org and we will help you form a team…
Find out more »Film Premiere: St. Francis of Assisi and the Sultan of Egypt
During the Crusades, Saint Francis of Assisi risked his life by walking across enemy lines to meet the Sultan of Egypt, the Muslim ruler Al-Malik al-Kamil. This remarkable encounter, and the commitment to peace of the two men behind it, sucked the venom out of the Crusades and changed the relationship between Muslims and Christians for the better. Featuring dramatic reenactments and renowned scholarship, this amazing story is brought to life in "The Sultan and the Saint." Scholars interviewed include…
Find out more »Multicultural Shabbat Dinner
Community Shabbat Gathering for Solidarity and Friendship Whether you are Jewish, Muslim, Christian or do not identify with any religion, please join us for a multi-cultural, inter-generational Shabbat dinner. We will meet our neighbors, make friends and learn about different traditions. Participants will enjoy a vegetarian dinner, music, lively conversation and children's activities. Registration required. Adults $10; Children $5 to cover costs. Click here to purchase tickets and make reservations. Hosted by the Oshman Family Jewish Community Center in partnership…
Find out more »June 2017
Ramadan Interfaith Iftar Dinner
The Art of Living Together: Building Relationships Please join us for an iftar dinner experience as we observe the holy month of Ramadan and help create a peaceful society by building new relationships. Please RSVP by June 12 to pacificasv.eventbrite.com Sponsored by Pacifica Institute, SiVIC, ING, Santa Clara University, St. Luke's Lutheran Church, United Nations Association
Find out more »September 2017
A Conversation with American Civil Liberties Union: Celebrate Your Freedom…
Please join us for A Conversation with American Civil Liberties Union. Our distinguished guests are Vandana Varanasi and David Wilson from ACLU Mid-peninsula Chapter.
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