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Thank you to the Sewing Scouts for this beautiful banner!
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If you want peace in the world you must start with the children.
M.K. Gandhi
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2013 Nonviolence Summer Intensive
NEW DATE!
August 19-23, 2013
10:00 am-5:00 pm (each day)
Gandhi House
929 S. Plymouth Ave
Rochester, NY
- Learn from experts in the field
- Develop skills in Nonviolent Communication (NVC), Restorative Justice and Dr. King's Nonviolence
- Become more centered and determined about your personal goals
- Earn a certificate of participation
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Young Men at Peace Program featured in Huffington Post
 | | UR Senior Oladoyin Oladeru started the Young Men at Peace Program as a collaborative effort between the Gandhi Institute, Warner School and the Rochester Center for Community Leadership. |
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"Growing up in the Bronx, violence was inescapable, with age offering no immunity. When I was in sixth grade, Gang members shot and killed two of my closest friends as we walked home from school one day. We were only 20 minutes from home.
It was the walk home that rocked my childhood, and in its wake, I could have easily succumbed to the fate of so many around me, who ended up in jail or in the grave.
But instead of getting derailed, I grew more determined to help end the senseless violence that plagues my community and many out there like mine..."
To read the full article click on the link below:
Young Men at Peace in the Huffington Post
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Incarcerated men at Groveland Correctional Facility Celebrate 2013 Season for Nonviolence
Working from materials provided by the Gandhi Institute, men incarcerated at Groveland Correctional Facility decided to celebrate this year's Season for Nonviolence! Jonathon Jones, among other men, and Groveland staff members organized essay and art contests, a visit by Arun Gandhi, and a nonviolence quote and message printed on the daily callout for all 64 days.
David Snaith, a volunteer with the Gandhi Institute and the Alternatives to Violence Project, attended the closing ceremony at Groveland on April 4. He reflects on his experience:
The closing ceremony for "A Season for Nonviolence" was a very special evening event at Groveland Correctional Facility. It was a last minute decision for me to attend, and I am so happy that I did. The mood in the small gym was very positive and uplifting. There were tableclothes and a live flowering plant on each table. There were fruit and vegetable trays with dips, as well as some delicious cakes and fruit punch.
It was obvious that all of the outsiders that attended, as well as the 50 to 100 inmates, were very moved by all of the pieces that the inmates created for this event. The pieces included some beautiful artwork, many essays and poetry that were read by the authors, 2 skits on nonviolence, and a blues band. All the presentations were heartfelt and a couple nearly brought me to tears.
Sandra Amoia, Superintendant at Groveland was the master of ceremonies, announcing each speaker with nothing but praise for their beautiful contributions and their commitment to nonviolence. She also told the audience that these were the winners in the 9 different categories, but that many other inmates had submitted work in honor of the nonviolent theme.
The inmates also raised $1000 and presented a check to the Rochester Police Chief, James Shepard for the gun buy back program in Rochester. In addition to this, the women in corrections at Groveland raised $500 and presented their check to Mr. Shepard for the same purpose. In thanking them all, Mr. Shepard said very passionately that this event, and what these men had done, touched his heart. He praised them for their work, and said he was humbled by the event.
It was emphasized by many who spoke, that the Season for Nonviolence should continue on, and that this work at Groveland was just the beginning. I say amen to that!!
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THANKS AGAIN TO ALL OF OUR AMAZING SPONSORS! THE SEASON FOR NONVIOLENCE COULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT.
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The 2013 Season for Nonviolence was sponsored by the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence.
University of Rochester partners included the
Interfaith Chapel, Frederick Douglas Leadership House, the Student Association of Vegan and Vegetarian Youth (SAVVY), and the Rochester Center for Community Leadership (RCCL). Community sponsors included the Ad Council of Rochester, Jay Advertising, Crazy Dog T-shirts, Grant Taylor Photography, Icon Creative, Inc., Restorative Rochester, Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, Teen Empowerment, Monroe Community College Damon City Campus, Rochester Institute of Technology, Spiritus Christi, Rochester Friends Meeting, Center for Dispute Settlement, Partners in Restorative Initiatives, Education for Peace, First Unitarian Church of Rochester, Feminists Choosing Life of NY, Greater Rochester Community of Churches, Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County, Rochester Public Library "Safe to be Smart" Program, Friends & Foundation of the Rochester Public Library, Black Student Caucus of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, Education for Peace, Mental Health Association, Rochester Area Mennonite Fellowship, Episcopal Diocese of Rochester, and many individuals!
The choice today is no longer between violence and nonviolence. It is either nonviolence or nonexistence.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
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 | Want to participate in the 2014 Season for Nonviolence? Visit bethechangerochester.org.
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The World Is A Battlefield: Jeremy Scahill on "Dirty Wars" and Obama's Expanding Drone Attacks
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A threat to New York's drinking water,
millions of gallons of toxic wastewater will be produced from every new well, with about half remaining in the ground.
This wastewater contains the chemicals used in fracking fluid, which have been shown to cause cancer, death, birth defects and other severe health problems. It also contains harmful contaminants from deep underground, including numerous carcinogens. Disposal of this wastewater has caused major problems. Conventional treatment facilities can't treat it, meaning the contaminants just flow right through these facilities, into rivers and streams. The other option is "deep underground injection" disposal, which is causing earthquakes.
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Letter from the Director
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Dear Friends,
My heart often feels heavy. There are many challenges, many problems that we face individually and collectively. That is why I invite you to read this newsletter carefully. Use it as a hope 'scavenger hunt' exercise. When you see pictures of dozens of people of all ages, faiths and races speaking peacefully about religion, how do you feel? When you read below about the closing celebration at Groveland Prison for the Season for Nonviolence, how do you feel?
If you feel discouraged and want some companionship and support, let us know: kmiller@admin.rochester.edu. We are planning to hold some events on ways to nourish and sustain energy and positivity and would love your help to make it happen.
It is not possible to know the value history will give to our choices. As Danusha Veronica Goska says, "It's not enough to be our best selves, we want to be Gandhi. And yet when we study the biographies of our heroes, we learn that they spent years in preparation doing tiny, decent things before one historical moment propelled them to center stage."
This comes with love from everyone here,
Kit Miller
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What You Say Next Can Change the World: a workshop with Miki Kashtan
This Saturday! It's not too late to register.
Saturday, May 4
10-5 pm
University of Rochester Interfaith Chapel
on Wilson Blvd, north of Elmwood
*free parking available in the Library Lot on Intercampus Drive
We are very excited to host Miki Kashtan, who teaches nonviolence skills around the world.
How can nonviolence work--not only as a guiding philosophy for social change, but also as a daily practice in our homes and workplaces? In this workshop, we'll practice concrete steps that bring to life the principles linking nonviolence, speech and action.
Questions? Email: isobel_davies@hotmail.com.
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Gandhi Institute to Facilitate NY Council for the Humanities Reading & Discussion Program for Adults on the theme of:
Service Wednesday nights May 8-June 19, 2013 6:00-8:30 pm Gandhi Reading Room in UR Rush Rhees Library Facilitated by George Payne Why and how do we choose to serve others? What is the nature of the relationship between those who serve and those who are served? If we serve, what sustains and renews us? How does our service impact our communities? This series is especially appropriate for individuals engaged in service work, such as AmeriCorps members, social service workers, and adult learners interested in serving their community more energetically and thoughtfully. To register for the discussion group or to get more information contact George at 585-703-9230.
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Gandhi Institute
Work Party!
May 18
1-4 pm
929 S. Plymouth Ave.
Be part of transforming the empty lot next to the Gandhi House into a permaculture paradise! We'll provide the tools and work gloves!
ALL ARE WELCOME!
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Photos from
Interfaith Banquet
April 6, 2013
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U of R President
Joel Seligman conversing with Dr. Denise Yarborough before delivering the
opening remarks.
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Participants engage in
"Speed Faithing"
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Musical performance by
Muslim students
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The banquet was Fatima Bawany's 2012-13 Gandhi Service Fellowship Project.
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Whi  te Like Me Reading Group:
Every Tuesday 12:30-1:30 pm starting on May 14th at the Gandhi House. Please buy a copy online and read chapter 1 for our first meeting. The book is a personal examination of the way in which racial privilege shapes the daily lives of white Americans in every realm: employment, education, housing, criminal justice, and elsewhere.
Using stories from his own life, Tim Wise demonstrates the ways in which racism not only burdens people of color, but also benefits, in relative terms, those who are "white like him." He discusses how racial privilege can harm whites in the long run and make progressive social change less likely. He explores the ways in which whites can challenge their unjust privileges, and explains in clear and convincing language why it is in the best interest of whites themselves to do so. Using anecdotes instead of stale statistics, Wise weaves a narrative that is at once readable and yet scholarly, analytical and yet accessible. |
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Earth Day Exclusive: Tim DeChristopher Speaks Out After 21 Months in Prison for Disrupting Oil Bid
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Apartheid Regime Bomb Victim Father Michael Lapsley on Using Forgiveness to Heal From Tragedy
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