By Ellen Greeley, ICNY Development Director
Galas in New York are notorious for serving bland food and known for dull dinner conversations. The exception to the rule is the James Parks Morton Interfaith Awards Dinner. Of course I am biased being the development director for the last four years at ICNY and tasked with coordinating the dinner, but ask any of our patrons and they will tell you that our dinners have been far from ordinary. Take for instance, the dress code. You will not find tuxedos and formal attire, but instead notice the elegantly flowing saris, African patterned dresses, and glistening head scarves and prayer caps. Diverse religious leaders representing over 15 different faith traditions mix with long-time and new ICNY friends sparking new relationships. At its core, Eastern and Western religious leaders and secularists intersect to celebrate ICNY Founder The Very Reverend James Parks Morton’s vision for making New York City and the world safer through increasing respect and mutual understanding among people of different faiths, ethnicities, and cultural traditions.
The gala is also an opportunity to honor those distinguished individuals who exemplify an outstanding commitment to promoting human development and peace –values shared by the world’s great religious traditions. This year our honorees include The Honorable Al Gore, 45th Vice President of the United States and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 2007 for his multi-decade commitment to preserving our environment and conveying forceful messages about the impact of advanced technology on our global economics and livelihoods.
We fete Attorney Peter L. Zimroth for using his legal skills to further the ideals of justice. He spearheaded public financing legislation for New York City, argued successfully in a landmark Supreme Court case admitting women into the City’s so-called private clubs, and most recently agreed to serve as the federal court appointed monitor of the New York City’s “stop and frisk” program. He and his colleagues at Arnold & Porter currently represent a community of Muslims in Bridgewater, New Jersey which are fighting the township’s attempts to prevent the establishment of a mosque.
Mrs. Gaetana Enders’ humanitarian efforts is a cause for celebration. As a wife of the Deputy Chief of U.S. Mission in Cambodia from 1970 to 1974, she became deeply involved in the unfolding tragedy in Southeast Asia. She founded a volunteer organization to assist refugees; by the end, the people she housed numbered 27,000 before she left. Upon her return to the U.S. she assisted in resettling refugees from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia and was name to a special committee by President Ford. Today she continues her activism by volunteering at many cultural and medical facilities.
In his centennial year of birth, His Holiness Sri Swami Satchidananda is being honored as an interfaith visionary, who served as a dynamic advocate for world peace. As an interfaith pioneer, he participated in and organized interfaith gatherings and seminars; created innovative interfaith programs, retreats, and worship services; and built the Light Of Truth Universal Shrine in central Virginia, the world’s first interfaith shrine which houses altars for the various religions of the world. Though he passed away in 2002, his life and teachings continue to inspire and guide thousands worldwide.
Hosting the ceremonies is Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist and The New York Times Editorial Board Member Serge Schmemann. Adding to the evening, will be dramatic readings from The Very Reverend Morton’s unpublished biography.
Come purchase a ticket, join the festivities and donate to help continue the innovative work of ICNY. We promise you a most memorable evening.