On August 28, Keneseth Israel Congregation hosted the Fifth Annual “My Recipe for Peace” dinner, a yearly fundraiser for Interfaith Paths to Peace. This dinner features short speeches by local community leaders who talk about what peacemaking means to them. Additionally, each speaker provides a recipe for a vegetarian meal, and these dishes are prepared by volunteers.
Rabbi Michael Wolk of Keneseth Israel spoke about the importance of peacemaking in the Jewish tradition and provided a recipe for Creamy Avocado Pasta. Terry Taylor, Executive Director of Interfaith Paths to Peace spoke about the universal desire among all the different faiths for peaceful co-existence, and provided a recipe for Mac and Cheese.
Dawn Gee, anchorwoman from WAVE3 News, told a story that left everyone in tears (including herself) about a homeless man who came up to her without knowing who she was and offered to help her out.
Other speakers included Harry Pickens, community activist; Lynn Rippey, executive director of YouthBuild; Gage Donahue, founder of the Louisville chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention; Anthony Smith, Director of Louisville’s safe neighborhood program; and Susan Phillips, president of the Louisville Bar Association; Sheronda Morris, community non-violence advocate; and Tom Williams, Founder of the Partnership for a Compassionate Louisville.
The final speaker of the night was Ambassador Attallah Shabazz, daughter of Malcolm X, who now calls Louisville home. She spoke about the different faith traditions that she grew up with and how she sees truth and love in all of the different faiths.
Interfaith Paths to Peace presented their annual “Louisville Peacemaker of the Year” award to the Drepung Gomang Institute, a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery here in Louisville that promotes peaceful co-existence among all faiths. Their most impressive accomplishment is probably bringing the Dalai Lama here to Louisville. Interestingly, they have also hosted interfaith Seders at their headquarters on Hubbards Lane.