We are pleased to invite you to attend “The New Year’s Interfaith Prayer for World Peace on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2021 (Friday). Starting at 10:00 am online on our youtube channel.
Representatives from religious groups such as: Buddhism, Catholic, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Bahai, etc. will be present as well as local government officials.
We welcome everyone to join us online and celebrate this prayer. 2020 has been a challenging year physically, mentally and in many other aspects. Let’s join together and pray for our family, our friends, our neighbors, our countries, and our planet.
If you have any question please feel free to contact Sue-Sue Yang email members@baus.org.
Representatives from Different Faiths
Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi
Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi, originally from New York City, has been a Buddhist monk since 1972 and is highly regarded as a scholar and teacher. He has lived at Chuang Yen Monastery since 2007 and has been president of BAUS (Buddhist Association of the United States) since 2013.
Town of Kent Supervisor Maureen Fleming
I am entering my eighth year as Supervisor of the Town of Kent. I have been married to the same wonderful man, Jim Mulvena, for 33 years. Together we have raised three amazing humans - our sons Jim and Tom and our daughter Claire. In addition to being the Town Supervisor, I am also an attorney.
BAUS Former President Ven. Ming Kuang
Van. Ming Kuang is a native of Taipie, Taiwan, R.O.C. and graduated from the Graduate School of Management Science at National Chiao-Tung University in Taiwan. He Was ordained as a Buddhist monk at Sung-Shan Temple, Taipei in 1978, He serves as the Abbot of Haiming Temple, Ta-Hsiung Monastery, Fayu Temple, Daci Temple, Guanyin Temple in Taipei and Chung-Tien Temple in Tai-Chung, He also is the Vice President of Buddhist Association of the Republic of China, and Vice President of the World Fellowship Buddhists, He is the Director and Teaching Acharya of the Buddhist Association of the United States.
Father Tom Orians, SA Franciscan Friar of the Atonement
Father resides at Graymoor where he has served as Associate Director of the Graymoor Ecumenical Institute and Former President of the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center. He currently serves on the National Council of Churches of Christ Local and Regional Ecumenism. Fr. Orians has been a regular participant in the BAUS annual Interfaith Prayer for World Peace.
Maryknoll – Father John Martin, M.M.
JOHN P. MARTIN, born in New York of Irish immigrant parents was educated in the Catholic Tradition. He earned a Master’s Degree in Theology of World Religions at Harvard. He participated in many international, regional and local interfaith gatherings in India, the USA and Canada, These extended experiences have enabled him to assimilate into his life some traits of the peoples he lived with, served and came to love, in a rich and fruitful exchange of human spiritual gifts. He has written about these elements of his long missionary life in an assortment of articles and personal essays.
UN NGO Representative for the International Prison Chaplains Association - Hans Hallundbaek
Dr. Hans Hallundbaek is a Presbyterian Minister and director of the Interfaith Prison Partnership (IPP) focusing on prison outreach and reform. He serves as the UN representative for the International Prison Chaplains Association (IPCA). When the Great Buddha Hall was opened in the nineties, Hans Hallundbaek served as a consultant to BAUS founder, Dr. D.T. Shen on outreach efforts to other religious organizations, including initiating the annual New Year’s Prayer for World Peace.
Judaism (Jewish Faith) Rabbi Harry Pell
Rabbi Harry Pell is The Leffell School's associate head of school, as well as a teacher of Talmud and Israel studies. Before coming to The Leffell School, Harry earned an undergraduate degree from MIT in architecture as well as ordination and a master's degree in Jewish education from the Jewish Theological Seminary. When he is not in school, Harry enjoys spending time with his wife Lisa, children Eliana, Nahum (Nami) and Maya, as well as running, cycling, and traveling. Rabbi Pell served as a reserve chaplain in the United States Navy and currently serves as a chaplain for the Greenburgh Police and Fire Departments.
VP of Buddhist Council of New York / President and Founder of the Heiwa Peace and Reconciliation Foundation of New York Ltd. Priest Rev. Dr. T. Kenjitsu Nakagaki
Rev. Dr. T. Kenjitsu Nakagaki, D. Min. is a Buddhist priest, ordained in the 750-year-old Jodoshinshu tradition of Japanese Buddhism. He is a President and Founder of the Heiwa Peace and Reconciliation Foundation of New York, Ltd [501(c)3 charity NPO] formed 2018. Rev Nakagaki is a Hiroshima Peace Ambassador, Nagasaki Peace Correspondent, an Honorable Board Members of the interfaith Center of New York, and New York City Police Department Clergy Liaison.
Muslim - Chaplain Sana Shabazz
Sana Shabazz has been a Chaplain with the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) for 24 years, working at Taconic, Beacon and Bayview Facilities for women, as well as Edgecombe Treatment Center for men and Work Release Center for women. With a degree in Criminal Justice, She is also a writer and poet whose work delves into the “spirit of daily living.” Her books including “Why Women Cry" have also been placed public libraries throughout upstate New York. Her book “Life Skills: Transition to Society”, sharing strategies vital to the successful transition from behind the walls to living in society.
Hindu-Dr. Uma Mysorekar
Dr. Uma Mysorekar, a retired Obstetrician and Gynecologist, was born in Bangalore, India and has been involved in several social organizations since 1976. As President of the Hindu Temple Society of North America, has initiated numerous programs to bring the community together including spiritual and cultural activities. Initiated several interfaith meetings to bring about awareness of Hinduism and spoke at numerous functions to educate people on Hinduism. Charged with responsibility for daily affairs, Temple expansion, communication and the implementation of various programs.
BAHA’I - Leonard Galit
A retired educator; married to Yu-rung Chen. We have two grown children, Dora, our daughter and Sam, our son. I have been a Baha’i for over 40 years as I believe in the unity of all mankind, unity in diversity.