Abrahamic Perspectives on Civil Rights with Imam Bajwa, Rabbi Ebbin & Pastor Monrose

In light of recent events in the United States and the wider world community, it is imperative we visit this crucial topic from a spiritual, theological, and social dimension and interact with faith leaders and advocates who will place this theme in an Abrahamic context and provide meaning to ‘civil rights’ from their own religious traditions and practices. See speaker bio’s below.

BIOs

Imam Omer Bajwa is the Director of Muslim Life in the Chaplain’s Office at Yale University. He earned his Graduate Certificate in Islamic Chaplaincy from Hartford Seminary, and he has been engaged in religious service, social activism, and educational outreach since 2000. He received his MA in Near Eastern Studies, with a specialization in Islamic Studies, from Cornell University’s Department of Near Eastern Studies. He also earned an MS in Communication from Cornell and a BA in English Literature and Rhetoric from Binghamton University.

In addition to his academic training in Islamic studies, Omer has also studied Islam from a traditional, normative perspective. He spent considerable time throughout his undergraduate and graduate career studying several classical Islamic sciences with traditional ulama (scholars) from Pakistan, Turkey, and the United States.

His interests include Islam in the United States, inter-religious engagement, Islam and the global media, and intersections between culture, politics, and spirituality. He regularly lectures about these topics and others at campuses, congregations, and in communities across the country and abroad.

Rabbi Ira Ebbin has served as the Rabbi of Congregation Ohav Sholom in Merrick, Long Island since 2010. The Modern Orthodox congregation boasts a vibrant and active membership that prides itself on being open and welcoming, while remaining committed to the Orthodox Jewish Traditions and Practices. Previously he served as the Senior Rabbi in Congregations in Montreal, Quebec and Stamford, Ct. Rabbi Ebbin has also served on the Judaic Studies Staff at Westchester Day School, where he taught Talmud and Bible, and he currently serves as the Head of School at the JFI Stone Family Hebrew School at Ohav Sholom.

Rabbi Ebbin received his Rabbinic Ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) of Yeshiva University, received his Bachelor’s Degree from Brooklyn College and has completed his Masters’ Degree in Public Administration at Baruch College in NY.

Rabbi Ebbin is known for his infectious sense of humor, his approachability and sensitivity, and his dynamic teaching style. He lectures extensively on the Bible, as well as on Jewish Philosophy and Ethics.

He and his wife and life partner Chevi, are blessed with three daughters and a son.

Pastor Gilford T Monrose, a native of the US Virgin Islands, founder of Brooklyn Center of Quality Life, moved to New York in 1999 to pursue his studies in the form of a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology and Bible Studies at Nyack College and Alliance Theological Seminary, and to marry the love of his life, Dianne Thomas.

Pastor Gil served as Vice President of various organizations; The St. Lucia House Foundation, Church of God 7th Day Pastor’s Network, Inc., and, Churches United to Save and Heal. Pastor Gil’s dedication to saving youth from gun violence and gangs prompted him to become the founding President of the 67th Precinct Clergy Council, which serves as a liaison between the police and the community. He is a graduate of the New York Police Department Citizen Academy, as well as the FBI Citizen Academy.

Mr. Monrose has traveled extensively across the United States and has partnered with groups across the Caribbean. Africa, Brazil, Moscow, England, and Israel, as a guest speaker to youth, and likewise adults, empowering them to become active in their communities and to be responsible citizens of the world. Locally, Pastor Gil works with various elected officials and community leaders as a moral voice and spiritual counsel on issues affecting the community at large. As the loving husband of wife Dianne, and father to Gianne and Joshua, Gilford is a passionate advocate for families and children. Mr. Monrose and his family live in Weeksville, Brooklyn.