Dr. Graciela Slesaransky-Poe, professor of Education, was an invited speaker at the Philadelphia Chapter of the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom’s Unity Vigil, held at St. Luke United Methodist Church in Bryn Mawr, Pa. on Jan. 15.

The vigil was a response to the rising tide of hate crimes directed at the Jewish and Muslim communities, people of color, immigrants and refugees, and other vulnerable populations. Attendees joined friends and neighbors of all different backgrounds to stand up for mutual respect, inclusivity, decency, and human rights for all.

“It was a wonderful event,” Dr. Slesaransky-Poe said, “filled with hope and possibility. A balm to everyone’s spirit at a time of so much hate and divisiveness. The Church was packed with people of all creeds and religions. Many religious leaders spoke, including Rabbi Yael Levy, who is a Rabbi at my own congregation, Mishkan Shalom, a dynamic, diverse, progressive and inclusive Jewish community. There was also a wonderful interfaith choir who performed beautifully.”

The Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom (SoSS), is a U.S. and Canadian organization that grows relationships between Muslim and Jewish women to build bridges and fight hate, negative stereotyping, and prejudice. 

In addition to the event at SoSS, Dr. Slesaransky-Poe presented at the Education and Equity Conference at the University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland on Nov. 20 via Skype. She discussed the work of the President’s Commission on Justice, Education, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI), a task force focused on ensuring that the University reflects its Vision and Lived Values. Dr. Selsaransky-Poe is the co-chair of the JEDI Commission with Director of Strategic Initiatives Joseph Sun.