The Boniuk Center Newsletter December 2009
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Greetings!
I am excited to report that our Friends' Campaign is well underway! Thank you to everyone who participated so far, and most especially to our matching grant funders Dr. Milton Boniuk and Charley Landgraf of our Advisory Board. For those of you who have yet to make a donation, there's still time to get the 2009 tax credit!
This past month's activities increased religious tolerance in a variety of venues at a time when the country sorely needed it. The Amazing Faith Project Dinner Dialogues were held in cities around the nation, and for the first time on the campus of Rice University. Over 70 people turned out for an inspiring lecture on Islam by Boniuk Center Public Scholar Fellow Ata Anzali as part of the World Religions Lecture Series. Boniuk Center Advisory Board- and Baylor College of Medicine faculty-member David Eagleman (Rice '93) gave a dramatic reading of his book Sum: Forty Tales From the Afterlives interspersed with stirring musical renditions at the Houston Jewish Community Center's
37th Annual
Jewish Book & Arts Fair.
As some of the major world religions' holidays approach, and others will not be observing festivals at this time, let us carry the spirit of sensitivity and tolerance with us into the New Year.
Sincerely,
Dr. Shira Lander
Interim Director
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Friends Campaign 2009-2010
Support The Boniuk Center's mission to promote religious tolerance
Intolerance
between people of different religions costs lives, devastates communities and
fosters hatred that lasts for generations. Religious intolerance is a
disease whose cure is understanding, respect and compassion. It is this
idea that drives the mission of the Boniuk Center for the Study and Advancement
of Religious Tolerance at Rice University.
Last year, over 20,000 Houstonians participated in our programs, which included
the Bridge Builders Lecture Series, World Religions Lectures and a play about
the Holocaust at the Miller Outdoor Theatre. In partnership with Interfaith
Ministries of Greater Houston, The Greater Houston Amazing Faiths Project
Dinner Dialogues were hosted in dozens of homes locally. This year, we
have reached out to younger participants with educational and dialogue programs
at the Rice University campus.
Changing the world is an audacious venture. We invite you to join in our
work by making a contribution to support our efforts. We understand that
personal finances might be stretched, yet we are fortunate to have a 1:1
challenge grant of up to $15,000 from Boniuk Center Advisory Board members that
will amplify your gift. So please, accept our invitation to become a
Friend of the Boniuk Center. Together, we can promote religious
tolerance.
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Hundreds of these stylish pins go out every month from the Center's offices to people all over the world. They are a free and easy way to keep the goals of tolerance, respect and compassion front and center in daily life.
