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11/17 As a Response to the Divisive Election, Thanksgiving Diversity Breakfast to be held Celebrating Westchester/Fairfield’s Diverse Roots and Shared Values 7:45 AM

Written By: Talk of the Sound News

NEW ROCHELLE, NY –As they have done each year since 9/11, more than 130 organizations in Westchester and Fairfield Counties will join together for the Annual Thanksgiving Diversity Breakfast tomorrow, Thursday, November 17, 2016 from 7:45 – 10:00 am at Manhattanville College, Purchase, NY.  They will celebrate our diverse roots and shared values with particular focus on building bridges following a divisive election period.

This year, we honor three individuals for their exemplary work “#WeWalkTogether.”  Dr. Mahjabeen Hassan, American Muslim Women’s Association; Rev. Stephen C.  Holton, St. James Episcopal Church in North Salem; and Dr. Carl Procario Foley, Office of Mission and Ministry at Iona College.

Presenting the awards will be previous Diversity Breakfast honorees Joel Fridovich of the New Rochelle Alternative High School and Monsignor Alan Detscher of the St. Catherine of Siena Church in Greenwich, as well as Carrie Mobley Johnson, Director of the Faith-Based Partnership Initaitive of the Office of the County Executive.  Additional presenters include Dr. Michael Geisler, President of Manhattanville College; Ruth Hassell-Thompson, Governor Cuomo’s Special advisor for Policy and Community Affairs of State Homes and Community Renewal; a community youth choir; and the Quintessentials Choir of Manhattanville College.  The honoree presentation will be followed by facilitated table discussions on the theme for this year’s Breakfast:  “#WeWalkTogether.”  

The Breakfast has expanded to include Fairfield County, and some 350 interfaith and interethnic leaders from both counties are expected to attend.  The event is sponsored by AJC Westchester/Fairfield, Bedford Presbyterian Church, The Duchesne Center for Religion and Social Justice at Manhattanville College, Mt. Hope AME Zion Church, Temple Sholom of Greater Greenwich, Westchester Jewish Council and the Westchester Youth Alliance.  They will represent over 130 organizations, including the Episcopal Diocese of NY; the Catholic Archdiocese of NY, NY Annual Conference (Methodist); and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, New York Stake.   Also, many government officials will be in attendance. 

For more info on this unique program, or to register, visit http://www.ajc.org/westchester/diversity2016  or call the contact above.  The $16 advance registration fee includes admission and kosher buffet breakfast.  On-site registration is $20.  Press passes available.