People & Places: Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice to honor 3 faith leaders
BY DANNA SUE WALKER World Staff Writer
Thursday, November 08, 2012
11/08/12 at 3:06 AM
The Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice will honor a trio of well-known faith leaders at its 54th annual awards dinner at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Tulsa Convention Center.
A reception will be held in the center's Grand Lobby with music by the Appassionata Duo with the dinner and program beginning at 7 p.m. in the Tulsa Ballroom.
The honorees are Rabbi Marc Boone Fitzerman of Congregation B'nai Emunah; the Rev. Marlin Lavanhar of All Souls Unitarian; and Sheryl Siddiqui of the Islamic Society of Tulsa. Both Fitzerman and Siddiqui are longtime members of the OCCJ board of directors, and the Rev. Lavanhar has worked closely with OCCJ on many community projects and initiatives.
"Each of our honorees represent the core values of OCCJ through their commitment and personal contributions to community and justice," said Sanjay Meshri, OCCJ board chairman. "In addition, each is a strong voice for interfaith relations and exemplifies the OCCJ mission as they work to equitably and respectfully resolve difficult issues within the greater Tulsa community and throughout the state of Oklahoma. OCCJ is truly fortunate to be able to honor such highly esteemed and respected individuals."
Dinner chairmen are David Charney, Chip McElroy, Allison Moore and Stacy Schusterman.
This year's program will feature a segment called "mission moments," which are testimonials from participants in OCCJ's programs. OCCJ is Oklahoma's only organization with the mission of fighting bias, bigotry and racism and promoting respect and understanding among all races, religions and cultures through advocacy, conflict resolution and education.
In 2012, OCCJ's programs will reach 16,250 Oklahomans, ranging from second-graders through adults. Almost all of OCCJ's programs are presented free of charge.
In addition, OCCJ's executive committee includes Russ Florence, chair-elect and William W. O'Connor, immediate past chair.
Other vice chairmen include Steve Malcolm, Sherri Goodall, Adrienne Watt, Steve Higgins, Shane Fernandez, Risha Grant, Robert Franden, Lisa Zaidle Clark; Michael P. Johnson; Jim Langdon; Judge Linda Morrissey, Siddiqui and Clark Wiens.
Members of OCCJ's young professionals group, New Leadership Roundtable, are event volunteers. Delegates from OCCJ's award-winning human relations camp for high school students, Camp Anytown, Oklahoma, also will be volunteers at the dinner.
For sponsorship and ticket information, contact Maggie Jewell, OCCJ Fund Development Director, at 918-583-1361 or at mjewell@occjok.org.
Original Print Headline: OCCJ to honor 3 faith leaders at annual awards
Associated Images:
Steve Malcolm (left), Allison Moore, Chip McElroy and Stacy Schusterman prepare for the upcoming awards dinner for the Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice. JAMES GIBBARD / Tulsa World
|
