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In the Roxbury Mosque, speakers came to talk to participants about the aims of the Boston area day of interfaith youth service.

Participants in the Boston area day of interfaith youthservice cleanup around the Roxbury Mosque in downtown Roxbury, Mass.

Unity in diversity

The Boston Area Day of Interfaith Youth Service brings together students from dissimilar religious backgrounds

By: Nathan Glassman

Posted: 4/7/09

The Roxbury Mosque in downtown Roxbury, Mass. stands as a tall, proud, red brick building with a black, domed roof. It sharply contrasts with the surrounding urban neighborhood and the recreational park across the road. Upon first glance, the mosque almost looks out of place, but upon further inspection, it becomes clear that it is this diverse nature that makes the mosque so beautiful.

Because of its distinctiveness, the Roxbury Mosque served as the perfect setting for Greater Boston's third annual Day of Interfaith Youth Service Sunday, March 29, when over 100 people gathered for a day of discussion about religion and various community service projects.

During the DIYS, Jews, Catholics, Muslims and members of other religious faiths participated in open discussions about what religion means to them and meaningful projects they have participated in. The format encouraged individuals to talk about their own experiences and share with other members of the community. Additionally, participants of DIYS worked side-by-side on community service projects at Community Boating Center Inc., Haley House and Chestnut Hill Reservation. They also had a cleanup in the area surrounding the mosque.

According to Alex Levering Kern, the Protestant chaplain for the University, planning of the DIYS "was a collaborative effort by the Cooperative Metropolitan Ministries, Brandeis University Interfaith Leadership Development and groups on a bunch of other campuses," such as Tufts University, Harvard University and Wellesley College.

DIYS is inspired by an internationally recognized organization based in Chicago called the Interfaith Youth Core.

The IFYC is run by Dr. Eboo Patel, who was just recently named to President Barack Obama's White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Each year the IFYC chooses Department of Homeland Security-funded fellows and trains them to promote peaceful dialogue and start a group to promote a DIYS.

Remz Pokorny '09, who was chosen to be a fellow through an application process, explained that "a fellow is supposed to assess the interfaith on campus, [participate in] monthly conference calls, blog, organize a day of interfaith youth service [and] also write reports to the Chicago agency." Pokorny was involved in planning and implementing this year's DIYS.

Upon entering Roxbury mosque, the Brandeis students who were participating in the DIYS were greeted by black marble steps leading up to a large main lobby. Once past the lobby, the students proceeded to a conference room where they engaged in informal talk with other members of the DIYS from throughout the greater Boston area who were already seated at tables. Once the rooms filled up, several speakers, such as Pokorny and Kern, explained the itinerary and what they hoped to accomplish for the day.

DIYS may have idealistic aims, but its organizers realize that speaking about religion openly can be intimidating. DIYS community service projects, in addition to helping the local community, can serve to foster a sense of camaraderie and build trust so that interfaith dialogue can happen.

"When people are sitting at a table and are asked to talk about their religious identities they tend to be reserved," Josh Pernick '10 said. "[If] it's too formal, it doesn't promote dialogue. Breaking up into work groups creates a relaxed environment; you're already working together for the common good, [so] people will be more willing to open up about themselves."

The first of the four community service groups volunteered at the Haley House Bakery. At the Haley House Bakery, DIYS participants of the DIYS worked to provide training opportunities for the homeless or those with low income. Haley House offers baking internships, provides a community gathering space for culture and according to Kern, "advances the ideals of justice and peace."

The second group volunteered to clean up the Chestnut Hill reserve. During the clean-up, volunteers found knives, sleeping bags, beer bottles and heroin needles. They discovered the signs of poverty and depression and clear signs of a homeless community even within an affluent community.

"Chestnut Hill-it made us more aware of the plights in the Greater Boston Community," Pokorny said. "A homeless man came at the end and talked about his experiences and about [how] he was moved [by the] coalition of different faiths helping. That sparked more dialogue [about] what we can do to help the community."

Pernick also explained that the items found at Chestnut Hill prompted discussion about what the different religions say about reaching out to those who need help.

The third group worked at the Community Boating Inc. in Boston. There, volunteers worked to provide sailing programs for low-income youth and recreational opportunities regardless of economic need.

The last group worked to clean up the local neighborhood around the mosque in Roxbury. In the past, Roxbury was known for being a violent and drug-ridden area. More recently, however, grassroots efforts by residents have helped revitalize the community.

The DIYS has grown significantly since the first time it was held, and Kern does not see the trend abating any time soon. According to Kern, "Each person who hears about the program is a light in their social group. I see DIYS as a springboard for expanded dialogue and activism across our communities and across our congregations."