“What we will do will not be enough. That, however, is not the reason for not doing anything.”
The latest episode of The State of Belief features the inspiring Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer, Executive Director of the Interfaith Center of New York. Rev. Chloe and host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushebush dive deep into the intersection of faith, activism, and community engagement in today’s complex landscape. Here are three key takeaways:
- The Power of Nonviolent Resistance: Rev. Chloe emphasizes the importance of nonviolence in our current socio-political climate. Drawing from historical figures like Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., she highlights how faith communities can harness the strength of peaceful protest to stand against violence and injustice.
- Interfaith Collaboration is Essential: The episode sheds light on the vital role that interfaith work plays in fostering understanding and solidarity among diverse communities. Rev. Chloe shares insights from the Interfaith Center of New York, which has been a beacon of hope and collaboration since its founding.
- Courage in the Face of Adversity: Rev. Chloe speaks candidly about the weight of responsibility that comes with being a faith leader in today’s world. She defines courage not just as the absence of fear, but as the willingness to act despite it. This perspective is particularly relevant as we navigate the challenges posed by authoritarianism and social division.
For 18 years, Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer has been leading the Interfaith Center of New York, the most religiously diverse and civically engaged network of grassroots and immigrant religious leaders across the five boroughs of New York City. Ordained in the Episcopal tradition, Rev. Chloe has also been a priest at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Harlem since 2011.
As a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, she has participated in interfaith dialogues and humanitarian initiatives in countries such as Afghanistan and Iran. And Rev. Chloe served as a clergy advisor on transition teams for New York City’s mayor and Manhattan District Attorney. Rev. Chloe is the daughter of retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer.
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