- To dismantle religious bias and bigotry, ICJS builds learning communities where religious difference becomes a powerful force for good.
Strategic Framework
In 2020, ICJS began planning for our organizational future—one that would move us toward our envisioned interreligious society. The ICJS Strategic Framework outlined below is a living document that will guide the vision, mission, and future work of ICJS for years to come.
It will take all of us working together to realize the promise and the possibility of this interreligious society in which dialogue replaces division, friendship overcomes fear, and education eradicates ignorance. We invite you to read more about this vision for the future, and look forward to the ways in which you will continue to join us in building this envisioned interreligious society.
(adopted by the Board of Trustees in March 2021)
VISION
An interreligious society in which dialogue replaces division, friendship overcomes fear, and education eradicates ignorance.
MISSION
To dismantle religious bias and bigotry, ICJS builds learning communities where religious difference becomes a powerful force for good.
GOALS & STRATEGIES
Increase interreligious literacy
Equip our learning communities with knowledge about the religious traditions, teachings, practices, and history of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam for interreligious understanding and dialogue.
- Expand educational programs that promote understanding of one’s own religious tradition and sacred texts, other religious traditions and sacred texts, and the history and practices of religious bigotry (e.g., Islamophobia and Antisemitism) that continue to permeate religious communities and society
- Effectively reach into community sectors (e.g., education, nonprofit, congregations) using the Fellowship model
- Create and promote the ICJS Speakers Bureau
- Use multiplatform publishing and promotion to expand the reach of ICJS content and writing
Build resilient interreligious networks
Facilitate strong relationships among people with diverse religious and nonreligious identities who work against religious bias and bigotry and work together for the common good.
- Develop networks within community sectors (e.g., education, nonprofit, congregational) for ongoing interreligious partnerships and relationships
- Cultivate strategic partnerships with secular, religious, and interreligious institutions
- Train a diverse pipeline of interreligious leaders
Advance the academic field of Interreligious and Interfaith Studies
Be a leader in academic discourse and publishing on core concepts and principles in this emerging field.
- Establish the Silber-Obrecht Endowed Lectureship as the premier lecture in the field of Interreligious and Interfaith Studies
- Equip faculty from diverse institutions (e.g., colleges, universities, seminaries) to develop interreligious literacy in their courses and seminars
- Convene conferences and forums that advance the field of Interreligious and Interfaith Studies
- Support and promote the interreligious research, writing, and expertise of ICJS staff
- Provide service to the field of Interreligious and Interfaith Studies (e.g. chair committees, participate on panels, contribute to journals, support and lead professional societies)
Inspire the public to champion religious pluralism
Act as a thought leader to help the American public value religious difference.
- Provide insight on interreligious issues through commentaries in local and national press
- Repurpose icjs scholarly work for use in news and commentary outlets
- Create and promote an active ICJS Speakers Bureau
Foster a culture of equity and inclusion for our interreligious work
Build and increase trust, support, and involvement of those marginalized in interreligious spaces so that everyone is included in our work.
- Recognizing where icjs has an opportunity for growth and improvement, build and develop icjs relationships with Muslims, people of color, and women
- Encourage diverse voices at ICJS (as program presenters, program participants, trustees, staff, and vendors)
- Ensure diverse voices and perspectives are represented in ICJS resources and materials
- Prioritize recruitment of Fellowship cohorts that reflect the broader community within which we live