Interfaith Action, Inc.

Who We Are

Interfaith Action, Inc. has a small, dedicated staff with a great mission that is supplemented by the energy of community volunteers, guided by the Board of Directors and supported by the continuing fiscal commitment of the Board of Advisors, public and private foundation grants, program fees and the generous support of people like you.

IFA Staff

Executive Director: Janet Penn

Janet has been part of IFA ever since Father Bullock asked her to guide a fresh new vision for interfaith youth leadership.   She is IFA’s dynamic leader, working tirelessly to maintain IFA on a solid foundation while pushing its potential in order to expand the opportunities for greater peaceful shared humanity.

Director of Training and Leadership Development: Tabitha May-Tolub

Tabitha came to IFA as its Youth Leadership Program Director in 2006.  As of the 2009-2010 program year, Tabitha’s focus will shift to mentoring and training youth leaders for the Sharon based program as well as for pilot programs in other locales.

Youth Leadership Program Director: Jason Smith

Jason Smith, IFA’s first full-time Youth Leadership Program Director, began his work with IFA at the end of August, 2009.  Jason is a 2009 graduate of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota,  with double majors in religion and philosophy.  He completed an internship for the Pluralism Project of Harvard University in August of 2009.

Sharon Pluralism Network Coordinator: Lizbeth Hoke, Ph.D.

Beth joined the IFA staff in early 2008.  She works to sustain the momentum of the relatively newly formed Sharon Pluralism Network (SPN). Beth works with network partner organizations to facilitate the development of cross-organizational programming in order to draw from groups across the community,  to expand the reach of any one group, enhance understanding and broaden perspectives in order to strengthen community bonds and foster pluralism.

Communications Coordinator: Elizabeth McGrath, Ph.D.

Betsy came on board in mid 2008.  She works behind the scenes at IFA to spread the word and support staff and programming goals on a wide range of topics via e-newsletter generation, internet presence, special communications and accompanying database requirements.

Programs Administrator: Julie Novio

Julie came on board in November 2009.  She provides administrative support to staff and programs.

 

IFA Board of Directors:

Arnie Freedman
Todd G. Patkin
Janet Penn
Nalini Sharma
Shoaib Zahoori

Read more about the board members.

IFA Board of Advisors:

Radhika and Ahmed Basheer
Reema and Amit Chandra
Attiya and Latif Chaudry
Ghazala and Dr. Waqar Cheema
Laura Davis
Lois and Arnie Freedman
Kathy and Ed Hershfield
Anisha and Ravi Kacker
Yadira and Todd G. Patkin
Judy and Joe Ludwig 
Elisabeth and Robert McGregor
Gail Nuzzi-Milowe and David Milowe
Drs. Punam and Sanjeet Narang
Janet Penn and Dr. Mark Finklestein
Drs. Nitzan and Murray Resnick
Carol and Dr. Joseph Rothenstein
Ellen and David Schoenfield
Nalini and Raj Sharma
Jeanne and Marty Sirkin

as well as a family who prefers to remain anonymous

  • Our Mission

    Interfaith Action, Inc.‘s mission is to inspire and train teens to increase understanding and cooperative action among diverse ethnic, religious, and cultural groups in their community.

  • What We’ve Done

    Interfaith Action, Inc. is known for its Youth Leadership Program and is a founding partner in the Sharon Pluralism Network. 

  • Why We Do It

    Interfaith Action envisions a world in which youth leaders create a culture of pluralism, inspiring adults through their example.

  • What We Do

    Interfaith Action programs encourage participants to reflect, connect, act and lead.

     

  • Our History

    Interfaith Action began in the late 1990’s with a small youth interfaith group and now is an important trailblazer for a growing interfaith youth leadership movement with its Youth Leadership Program.  IFA is a founding partner in the Sharon Pluralism Network, formed in 2007 to forge new ways of fostering pluralism among community organizations in Sharon, MA. 

This has been Interfaith Action; thanks for stopping by.

© Interfaith Action 2010

Interfaith Action - Reflection. Connection. Action.