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The 2026 Manekin-Clark Forum features David M. Rubenstein—financier, philanthropist, author, historian, and Orioles owner—in conversation with ICJS’ Heather Miller Rubens as they explore religion and democracy in the United States.
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
7:00–8:30 PM ET
Kraushaar Auditorium at Goucher College
Join us for an online conversation with filmmaker Elinor (Ellie) Pierce about her short documentary Abraham’s Bridge, a hopeful and thought-provoking portrait of the Tri-Faith Initiative in Omaha, Nebraska.
We need an interreligious society—one where people of every religion and no religion—have an equal voice in public life and are able to flourish together.
Through this Campaign, ICJS will raise $7M to deepen our impact, expand our reach, and amplify our important public voice. Thanks to the generosity of 72 early supporters, we are 81% to goal!
Learn how you can join us, including taking advantage of the Challenge Match Opportunity (available now through June 30, 2026).
In moments of profound crisis, we look instinctively for leaders who can help us see clearly, act courageously, and respond compassionately. Around the world, humanitarian emergencies are mounting: the devastation in Gaza, where the vast majority of buildings have been damaged or destroyed, entire neighborhoods erased, families buried beneath rubble, and civilians—especially children—face staggering daily…
Right now, our civic fabric feels fragile, stretched thin and frayed by anger, fear, and the weight of vigilante violence. Can we talk about our deepest differences? In moments like this, it is tempting to go to extremes—to divide ourselves into warring camps who lash out at opponents, or opt out of public conversation all…
In a conversation following his five-month sabbatical, Benjamin E. Sax, Ph.D., ICJS head of programs and Jewish scholar, reflected on the experience, how it reshaped his perspective, and the scholarship that emerged from it. He talks about getting started on a new book project, which will follow the upcoming publication of his book, Encounters: Dialogue, Antisemitism,…
Affirming the dignity of every human being is not simply a moral principle to be professed, states ICJS’ Heather Miller Rubens, but something that must be learned, practiced, and sustained—especially in a world shaped by dehumanization and polarization. Drawing on Catholic Social Teaching and the work of Pope Francis, Rubens offered a theological account of…
In The Power Worshippers (2020), which formed the basis of the documentary God & Country (produced by the late Rob and Michelle Reiner), journalist Katherine Stewart exposed Christian nationalism as a growing threat to democracy. Her new book, Money, Lies, and God (2025), goes further—revealing how ultra-wealthy donors, conservative think tanks, and far-right religious groups are driving a radical anti-democratic movement. The book poses the urgent questions: How did we get here—and why are so many Americans turning against democracy?
In a recent ICJS conversation, Younus Y. Mirza, Ph.D., author of The Islamic Mary: Maryam Through the Centuries, traced the rich presence of Maryam across Islamic tradition—from the Qur’an and Sufi devotion to art and interfaith engagement. The discussion highlighted how Mary/Maryam functions as a shared figure of reverence, opening pathways for deeper Christian-Muslim understanding and encounter.
This course with ICJS Jewish Scholar Benjamin E. Sax, Ph.D., interrogates the question of what it means to dialogue during a time of political violence, persecution, gaslighting, and oppression. Very often we teach that tolerance is a virtue in dialogue, yet should we also be tolerant of intolerance? How does that work?
We consider a variety of views and try to chart a new dialogical path together by examining how different philosophers, political theorists, historians, and theologians have broached these questions during their own times of political peril.
The Qur’an, revered as sacred scripture and a moral guide, offers enduring virtues that shape just and compassionate communities. This minicourse will explore qualities such as dignity, courage, compassion, humility, and forgiveness, considering their role in nurturing a shared civic life marked by respect and responsibility. Through close readings of scripture, study of the Prophet Muhammad as the “living Qur’an,” and reflection on prophetic case studies, the course highlights how Qur’anic virtues continue to inform ethical character and foster pluralistic societies today.
Explore our curated resources, assembled with the assistance of ICJS scholars, to help you explore Judaism, Christianity, and Islam from both vantage points. This list is not meant to be exhaustive. We hope this serves as a launching pad to your own learning.
Read the most recent issue of ICJS Insights, our monthly newsletter featuring voices, essays, and perspectives.