Community Peace And Justice Network
Presentations and discussions to encourage careful thought and action on peace and justice issues, locally and globally. Third Tuesday of every month at 7:00pm
2018 Community Peace and Justice Forum Programs and Presenters:
1/16/18 “Going Deeper: Exploring African-American Experiences, Challenges and Contributions in Ridgewood and Vicinity.” Community voices led in dialogue by Rev. Lemuel Brown, Mt. Bethel Baptist Church and Rev. Mack Brandon, Metropolitan AME Zion Church & Professor, Ramapo College. Co-sponsored with the Martin Luther King Committee.
2/20/18 “Peace and Justice: Owning the Journey.” Rev. Arturo Lewis, Associate Minister, Emmanuel and his Diversity Class at Passaic County Community College.
3/20/18 “Students Demand Action: Ridgewood High School Students Organize Against Gun Violence.” RHS Students Alana Benson and Laurence Fine speak and Lead Dialogue.
4/17/18 “A Path Ahead for the DACA-Dreamers.” Sarah C. Garcia, Immigration Lawyer and Catherine Brienza, Leader of Ridgewood J.O.L.T. – JOIN. ORGANIZE. LEAD. TEACH.
5/15/18 “CAN WE TALK? Or Are We Just Too Polarized?” Bea and Jim O’Rourke, long-time residents and active contributors to the Ridgewood community and beyond, Mamoud Hamza, Leader of the Muslim Society of Ridgewood, and Paul Vagianos, President, Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce, Owner of It’s Greek to Me, Ridgewood.
6/27/18 “PEACE MAKING! Finding Common Ground in Our Local Communities”, Rev. Dr. Dan Buttry, Global Consultant on Conflict Transformation, American Baptist Churches, USA, followed by open dialogue.
9/25/18, “SEEKING PEACE IN ANXIOUS TIMES”, Michael Tozzoli, MSW, LCSW., CEO, West Bergen Mental Health & President, Rotary Club of Ridgewood, AM.
10/16/18, “COMMUNITY VOICES FOR DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, PEACE AND PLANET” ; Catherine Brienza, JOLT USA- Moderator with JOLT Leadership Team Members, Alexa Topolski and Gina Damasco; Rev. Lemuel Brown, Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee & Mt. Bethel Baptist Church; Laurence Fine, Students Demand Action; Fran Kaufman, People Power- Glen Rock; Harriet Shugarman, Climate Mama & Climate Reality Project.
11/27/18,” WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? AFTER THE MID-TERM ELECTIONS…”, Catherine Brienza & Clara S. Licata, JOLT USA; Rev. Lemuel Brown, Martin Luther King Jr. Committee & Mt. Bethel Baptist Church; Clara S. Licata, Esq.; Rev. Arturo Lewis, Emmanuel; Dr. Clifford Peterson, Professor Emeritus, International Politics, Ramapo College; Michael Tozzoli, MSW, LCSW, West Bergen Mental Health & President, Rotary Club of Ridgewood, AM.
Community Peace and Justice Forum Topics for 2017:
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- “Brothers and Sisters Together- Dreamers, Immigrants, and Refugees” on November 29, 2017
- “Welcoming Muslims in Ridgewood and Vicinity: Success Stories and Present Challenges” on September 19, 2017
- “African-American Experiences, Challenges, & Contributions in Ridgewood and Nearby Towns and Cities” on Tuesday, October 17th
- “Racism, Bigotry, and Anti-Semitism: Then and Now” on June 27, 2017
- “Brothers and Sisters Together- Dreamers, Immigrants, and Refugees” on November 29, 2017
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- Post-Climate March Action Against Global Warming on May 16, 2017
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- “Is Truth Dead?: Fake News and Real Facts” on April 18, 2017
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- Potluck Supper and Human Trafficking Discussion with Re. Lauran Bethell on March 16, 2017
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- “Where to From Here? Responding to Political Challenges (and Opportunities)” on February 21, 2017
- Civil Rights in America on January 17, 2017
Past Peace and Justice Forum Topics for 2016:
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- Election Aftermath and the Future of Democracy in America on November 15, 2016
- The Future of American “Democracy”: Sharing Thoughts on the Presidential Campaign of 2016 on October 18, 2016