Rabbi Irwin Kula presented author Eric Steven Raymond with an award for his influential theory on open source called, “The Cathedral and the Bazaar,” at the first annual Tribeca Innovation Awards. Discussing Raymond’s groundbreaking work in technology, Rabbi Kula spoke about the ethical and spiritual dimensions of open source beyond its application to software. For more on “The Cathedral and the Bazaar,”

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By Judy Epstein from Clal

Brad Hirschfield and Dennis Miller talk about National Prayer Day and the relationships among people of various faiths in America.

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The Dennis Miller Show, 5/9/09

Rabbi Brad Hirschfield speaks with Russ Morley about the controversy over the National Day of Prayer – it’s roots, the Obama administration’s stance, and the public debate on whether or not to hold it.

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From The Morning Show on WFTL, Miami, FL

Religions for Peace partnered with the U.S. Department of State to facilitate the U.S.-Indonesia Interfaith Cooperation Forum held in Jakarta, Indonesia, during 25–27 January 2010. The Department of Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Indonesia graciously agreed to host this bi-lateral dialogue.

The program engaged religious leaders and civil society representatives from the U.S. and Indonesia, as well as key religious leaders from other South-East Asia countries, in a dialogue aimed at producing shared actions in four key areas of development: poverty, education, climate change, and good governance.

From Religions for Peace

"As we observe the five-year anniversary of the passing of Pope John Paul II and the concomitant accession of his successor, Pope Benedict XVI, I am struck by the ways in which each has advanced the cause of interreligious conversation and cooperation...."

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By Rabbi Brad Hirschfield from Inside the Vatican, April 2010

"I grew up in two different worlds, one that doesn’t exist anymore and one in which I didn’t feel quite at home...."

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By Janet R. Kirchheimer from The Hidden Child Newsletter

"It strikes me that the way human rights issues have played out since the beginning of modernity — which, not surprisingly, coincides with the separation of church and state — should give us all reason to take a deep breath. There is a sort of humbling inevitability to the process of inclusion and to where we place ourselves along the continuum of human rights debate...."

In April, Rabbi Irwin Kula was invited to speak at the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame (IJSHOF). The event honored Samuel P. Sporn with a Lifetime Achievement Award of Excellence for his record-breaking Tennis Masters and Grand Masters Maccabiah achievements, both in Israel and in the Pan American Maccabi Games in South America.

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"The issue of homosexuality is among the most polarizing issues in our society. Without addressing what the ‘right’ answers are, there is no question that there are few issues over which we hurt each other more than how we address homosexuality in general and, far more importantly, gay men and women in particular. How can we stop hurting each other?..."

Rabbi Brad Hirschfield speaks to attendees in a variety of sessions at the Parliament which took place in Melbourne, Australia, and included:

• An intra-Jewish exploration on: What is the mission of the Jewish people today?
• An interreligious panel on: How do we build relationships across religious boundaries?
• The digital revolution and religious pluralism: How has the new technology impacted religion?