Are You Ready to Deal with Disruptors?
April 29, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.; Whittier Park Recreation Room, 425 West 26th Street, Minneapolis
Jewish Community Action (JCA) invites clergy, lay leaders, and staff of congregations and faith communities to a special training titled “When the Trolls Come Marching In: How to Keep Your Community Safe from Disruptors.” This training is meant to share best practices and lessons learned from the numerous incidents during Operation Metro Surge in which extremist influencers came to our city with bad fai th intentions to disrupt our community to further their own political narratives.
For the last six years, JCA has been working with dozens of local community organizations around developing anti-hate and bias programming and policies in the Communities Combating Hate Coalition. Participants will think about how and why today’s disruptors operate the way that they do, use examples of a variety of community responses from the last few months, and hear from subject-matter experts whose analysis and research are valuable resources when evidence of extremist influencers shows up in our community.
Pre-registration is required.
Presenters:
Beth Gendler, Executive Director, Jewish Community Action
Geri Katz, Director of Organizing and Coalitions, Jewish Community Action
Kate Bitz, Senior Organizer, Western States Center
Benny Witkofsky, Senior Research Specialist, Bridging Divides Initiative
When and Where:
Whittier Park Recreation Room, Apr 29, 2026 5-7pm
425 W 26th St. Minneapolis, MN 55405
Why:
Things move quickly in times of crisis, so it’s important to build the skills in advance to handle potential complications, like an agitator targeting our communities, in a unified and agile way.
Who should attend?
Staff and members of community organizations in Minneapolis such as houses of worship, neighborhood organizations, and cultural institutions. RSVP is required.
What do we get out of this?
You will leave this event with sample action plans, deeper community connections, and contacts in national organizations that track disruptors.
Who is putting this together?
Jewish Community Action is hosting this event, with special guest from Western States Center and Bridging Divides Initiative
Tuesdays, April 21 and 28, May 5; Online To build a society where people of every religion — or no religion — have an equal voice in public life is essential in this moment. That's why ICJS works with educators, chaplains, nonprofit and civic leaders, and museum and library professionals. Each session will focus on a different sector where ICJS works: Congregations, Clergy, and Chaplains — April 21 Teachers and Schools — April 28 Nonprofits, Museums, and Libraries — May 5 Each event will be on Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. to Noon. Come to one or all three.
Sunday, April 26, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.; Fair Oaks Park, Minneapolis A pan-sangha Buddhist Peace Walk is scheduled for April 26 at Fair Oaks Park in Minneapolis. In the spirit of Ahimsa -- causing no harm through intention, thought, work, or action -- and in awareness of Earth Day and the rebirth of spring, Minnesota Buddhists will walk, knowing humanity's wellbeing is tied to a the web of life. A ceremony will be held at 2:30 p.m., with a 45-minute Mindful Walk to follow . The event will close with sharing and a Dedication of Merit.
Wednesday, March 25, Noon keynote and 1:00 p.m. lunch; Sateren Auditorium, Augsburg University, 2211 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis Rev. Jen Bailey will keynote this year's Interfaith Symposium. The theme is "Healing the Earth, Healing Ourselves." Rev. Bailey is an ordained minister and national leader in the multi-faith movement for interfaith understanding and justice. She currently serves as Executive Director of the Dan and Margaret Maddox Fund, a Nashville-based philanthropic foundation investing in the leadership of young people and the vitality of the natural environment. After the keynote join us for a luncheon and panel conversation with Augsburg students and corporate leaders. Augsburg University’s Interfaith Symposium is an annual invitation to build community, foster collaboration, and create a more caring world through learning about religious/spiritual/worldview diversity, participating in enriching dialogue, and networking with exceptional interfaith leaders. As the most ethnically diverse campus in the Midwest, Augsburg University embraces students with a variety of religious beliefs and worldviews. Join us for this opportunity to learn about building partnerships across differences and how to face the future with hope and determination. Learn More or Register: augsburg.edu/interfaith26
Thursday, March 26, dinner at 5:30 p.m., lecture at 7:00 p.m.; Kay Fredericks Room, Klas Center, Hamline University, West Taylor Avenue, St. Paul Minnesotans have born witness to the critical place faith communities have in meeting the moment when crisis comes: Now how do we keep at it when there’s no end in sight? The faith communities and wisdom gatherings that make up Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul have worked for nearly thirty years to shelter families and build pathways toward stability and mobility through Project Home. This year’s Mahle Lecture, under the theme "Just Resilience: How to Stay in the Struggle for the Long Haul," will be an opportunity to explore resilience rooted in different faith traditions, specifically using the fight to end homelessness as a case study for what “just resilience” looks like in practice. If you have questions about the event, contact Chaplain Kelly Figueroa-Ray or Rev. Rachel McIver Morey.
MICAH's Metro-wide Policy Breakfast on Housing is Scheduled Thursday, March 26, 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.; Christ on Capitol Hill Lutheran Church, 105 University Avenue West, St. Paul Under the theme "Loving Our Neighbors," MICAH will host it's annual housing policy breakfast at Christ on Capitol Hill Lutheran Church on Thursday, March 26. Breakfast and relationship building will begin at 9:00 a.m., with presentations on policy issues to follow at 9:30 a.m. The event will include an online option as well. Information about that will be available on the MICAH website closer to the event. For more information, contact Sue Watlov Phillips or John Slade .
Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative believes in the vision that all people have a home. This collaborative of congregations and housing advocates believes that secure, affordable housing provides the key to safer communities, stronger families, and a healthier economy. Beacon is seeking individuals who are deeply aligned with its mission, bring strong cultural competency, and are committed to ongoing learning and collaboration as the organization works to address bias and racial inequities in housing. Please visit Beacon's website to learn more about its strategies, programs, and values, including collaboration, risk-taking, racial equity, and inclusive decision-making. Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative seeks a Senior Organizer. The Senior Organizer is an advanced practitioner responsible for driving high-level engagement from Beacon’s collaborative of congregations. They are responsible for leading and growing a portfolio of diverse interfaith congregations in the Twin Cities metropolitan area to grow Beacon’s power. The Senior Organizer operates with a high degree of autonomy to develop sophisticated congregational teams and pilots innovative organizing tactics that reach beyond our existing base and serve as models for the rest of the division. The successful Senior Organizer is both self-motivated and collaborative with the Policy and Organizing team. They demonstrate commitment to racial justice and high cultural competency.
Saturday, March 7, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.; Minneapolis College of Art and Design, 2501 Stevens Avenue, Minneapolis Join Wisdom Ways, in partnership with the Islamic Resource Group and Nasrieen Habib, for a community Iftar on March 7 at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, 2501 Stevens Avenue, Minneapolis, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The meal will begin with the traditional breaking of the fast with dates and water and will highlight the deep connection between our Minnesota community and the planet we share. Featuring Nasrieen Habib, founder of EcoJariyah and Amanah Recreational Project, the evening will explore not only what it means to practice Islam, but also how Islamic teachings honor and protect the natural world. Come and share an eco-friendly meal! People of all faiths are invited to attend and celebrate this important time in the Islamic calendar. Muslim attendees are invited to join at no cost. A halal meal will be available to all participants.
Wednesday, March 25, Noon keynote and 1:00 p.m. lunch; Sateren Auditorium, Augsburg University, 2211 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis Rev. Jen Bailey will keynote this year's Interfaith Symposium. The theme is "Healing the Earth, Healing Ourselves." Rev. Bailey is an ordained minister and national leader in the multi-faith movement for interfaith understanding and justice. She currently serves as Executive Director of the Dan and Margaret Maddox Fund, a Nashville-based philanthropic foundation investing in the leadership of young people and the vitality of the natural environment. After the keynote join us for a luncheon and panel conversation with Augsburg students and corporate leaders. Augsburg University’s Interfaith Symposium is an annual invitation to build community, foster collaboration, and create a more caring world through learning about religious/spiritual/worldview diversity, participating in enriching dialogue, and networking with exceptional interfaith leaders. As the most ethnically diverse campus in the Midwest, Augsburg University embraces students with a variety of religious beliefs and worldviews. Join us for this opportunity to learn about building partnerships across differences and how to face the future with hope and determination. Learn More or Register: augsburg.edu/interfaith26
Wednesdays on January 28, February 4, 11, and 18, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.; online Religion can be more than what is contemplated in the mind. Often it is a feast for the senses that draws us in, makes us feel awe or mystery, and sometimes even enlightens us. Encounter World Religions is offering a new winter series titled "Sounds, Spaces, and Celebrations: The Feel of the World's Religions." Participant will explore the poetry and perspectives of sacred texts; the sights, sounds, and spaces that move us; and the celebrations that connect us. Those involved will learn how beauty is central to the religious experience. Each of the four talks will explore the richness of many religions, rather than learning about a single tradition.
Sunday, January 18, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.; Centennial United Methodist Church, 1524 County Road C2, Roseville Though hailing from many cultures and engaging in various traditions, there is a shared humanity -- a common bond as children of a greater purpose. Celebrate this perspective at an event under the theme of "Finding Unity With Kindness and Peace." The event is free to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for the Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul Food Shelf at the Department of Indian Work. Minnesota Multifaith Network is a co-sponsor of the event, along with JustServe and Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul.