Interfaith and Community Bridge-Building

Russ and Angelica shared an unshakeable belief in the importance of interfaith bridge-building. Together with Rabbi Jack Bemporad, a pioneer in the field, they created the Center for Interreligious Understanding, which engages in behind-the-scenes diplomacy and forges meaningful connections among Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders. Our foundation also collaborated with Rabbi Bemporad and the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (the Angelicum), in Rome, to establish the John Paul II Center for Interreligious Dialogue, which provides the next generation of religious leaders with a comprehensive understanding of, and dedication to, interfaith issues and action. The Foundation currently is supporting efforts in New Jersey to forge stronger ties within its diverse Jewish community and with other faith traditions both to fortify bonds and counter the rise in religious intolerance. 

Selected Recent Grants

John Paul II Center for Interreligious Dialogue To host world-class visiting faculty, lectures and conferences on interfaith dialogue at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, in Rome (the Angelicum), and to support a yearly cadre of up to 10 carefully selected Russell Berrie Fellows as they pursue post-graduate degrees in interreligious studies.

John Paul II Leaders Alumni Network To support the more than 140 graduates of the Russell Berrie Fellowship in Interreligious Studies at the John Paul II Center as they pursue work and relationship-building in interreligious dialogue and peacemaking in their communities, which currently span more than 40 countries. 

Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom To build on foundational work to engage Jewish and Muslim women to build relationships at a grassroots level in New Jersey, the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom will provide skill-building training to enable participants to go deeper in having challenging conversations about sensitive topics across differences.

American Jewish Community Tackle! Upstander Training To support the training of 80‐100 faith and community leaders to identify and respond to individuals at risk of committing violence targeted at Jewish, Muslim, and other communities in five New Jersey counties, helping Jewish leaders to foster resiliency in local communities and gain the support of other community, faith, and civic actors to help prevent violent antisemitic attacks.

Center for Interreligious Understanding To work with and influence religious leaders of all beliefs through groundbreaking programs to combat Holocaust denial, explore common goals and create constructive approaches to fighting intolerance.