Dear Rabbi Aron,

On behalf of the Board of the Silicon Valley Interreligious Council, we want to congratulate you on a long and meaningful career and wish you fresh and rewarding experiences in your retirement.  

The strength of the interfaith network in Silicon Valley is in no small part due to your work– foundational in the early years, persistent through time, innovative and thoughtful in moments of change or challenge, and always grounded in deep kindness.

We are all the beneficiaries of your belief in the possibility of common ground and mutual benefit.  You have served as a role model, and we are inspired to carry your legacy forward.  

We want to thank you for your guidance and participation in the formation and early planning efforts for SiVIC. We appreciate your support of our programs and activities.

With deep gratitude and wishes for happiness in the years to come.

Respectfully,

SiVIC Executive Committee: Girish Shah, Rev. Rowan Fairgrove, Rev. Joy-Ellen Lipsky, Garth Pickett, Diane Fisher, Somanjana Chatteerjee, Sulochina Lulla &
& SiVIC Board members

We, the Silicon Valley Interreligious Council (SiVIC) Board and Affiliates, are deeply saddened to learn of the violent incident at the Grace Baptist Church facility that occurred a few days ago. We extend our prayers and our support to the entire Grace Baptist Church community and the Grace Solutions community. We pray for the speedy and full recovery of those injured in the incident. Our prayers are with the families of the deceased.

As you have stated on your website, “This is what faith is all about. Faith is risking it all. We risk knowing both the rewards and the reality that there will be problems, pain, and conflict. We are called to this radical hospitality for those who need it the most. This is our call, our purpose, our mission, and the way we love Jesus.” From time to time our faith is tested but it is our faith that gets us through such tests. The Grace Baptist Church’s leadership shows us a true path of love and service to everyone who needs them.

Your church has been a leader in providing support to persons living with mental illness, in need of housing and in search of a meal. Your community has committed itself to following Jesus in reaching out to the most vulnerable members of the community. SiVIC and Grace Baptist Church have interacted closely in the past, from our founding Chair, Late Rev. D. Andrew Kille, a pastor at your church to Soup & Coat drive to the Compassion Games gatherings in your facility.

We offer our solidarity with you and your service efforts even in these challenging times of COVID-19. Lastly, we pray for all those affected by this tragedy, both sufferers and perpetrators and their families. We stand ready to provide support any way we can when you call on us.

With your generosity and goodwill, we can help a homeless person survive this harsh weather. Please consider making a contribution on the #Giving Tuesday.

SiVIC promotes interreligious harmony to build a more just and compassionate society. We need your support to achieve our mission. 

Your donation will make a difference in the lives of many.

SiVIC will host Seventh Annual Homeless Persons’ Interfaith Memorial Service on December 21 at St. James Park and Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. This is a hybrid, small In-person & virtual (Facebook Live) event to keep everyone safe. The event will include “distribution of survival supplies” as well as lunch.

We invite you to contribute to this event by donating any amount which will go towards supporting our unhoused neighbors.

Click to Play Now: Thanksgiving Liturgy Video:

Archbishop Mitty High School & SiVIC celebrate Thanksgiving with a non-eucharist liturgy. Each year they focus on a different aspect of how we can foster a deeper sense of gratitude and giving.  This year we asked four members of silicon Valley Interreligious Council (SiVIC) to reflect on their own faith traditions (Zoroastrian, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism).

This video (about 25 mins long) includes music, student lead prayers, reflection by four spiritual leaders from SiVIC, closing song by students, etc. Please play it and make your Thanksgiving holidays more reflective of the gratitude we all feel at this time of the year.

Come view the journey of the Teen Interfaith Council at https://tinyurl.com/VirtualNewMexicoJourney

Support this program with your generosity, go to SiVIC Donate page.

CENSUS 2020 is extended until October 31st, 2020. Alert your congregants to complete the survey, if they have not.

TZU Chi Foundation is providing assistance to wildfire victims:

Please register at “tzuchi.us” by September 30 or call 408-256-0571, or email to relief-nc@tzuchi.us for assistance.

The Tzu Chi Northwest Region has immediately paid close attention to the disaster situation when the wildfire started.  Volunteers has visited evacuation centers to find out the situation of the victims and the help they needed. Subsequently, blankets and cash cards were delivered.

Due to the pandemic, volunteers have initiated innovative online system to provide assistance to victims affected by the fires. Volunteer are also mobilized to do the distribution of cash cards and materials to them.

Tzu Chi Northwest Region volunteers are providing emergency financial assistance to fire survivors. If any homes sustained major damage, the victims can go to “tzuchi.us” to complete a simple registration, or call hotline 408-256-0571, or email to relief-nc@tzuchi.us for assistance.

On May 14, 2020, at 10:30am, clergy participated in recording prayers for “Interfaith Leaders in Solidarity and Prayer”. to express our solidarity with each other across faith lines and our solidarity with the entire community suffering together in this time of Covid 19.  The prayer gathering was first suggested by the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, which was formed on February 4, 2019 on the initiative of His Eminence Dr Ahmad At-Tayyeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar Al Sharif on the occasion of the visit of Pope Francis to Abu Dhabi.. Those participating include:

Imam Tahir Anwar (Imam South Bay Islamic Association)
Rabbi Melanie Aron (Rabbi Congregation Shir Hadash, Los Gatos),
The Right Reverend Lucinda Ashby (Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real),
The Most Reverend Oscar Cantu, (Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of San Jose)
Bishop Mark Holmerud (Bishop of the Sierra-Pacific Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church),
The Reverend Joey Lee (Executive Presbyter of the San Jose Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church [PCUSA])
The Reverend Joy-Ellen Lipsky, Board Chair of the Silicon Valley Interreligious Council

and Father Jose Rubio was the M.C.

Here is the link for the video!  https://vimeo.com/418583812