The spirit of interreligious collaboration shone brightly as the Rev. Chloe Breyer, an Episcopal priest and a leading voice in the interfaith movement, received the prestigious 10th annual award from the Interfaith Institute of Long Island (IFI) on October 19.
The honor celebrates her unwavering dedication to fostering mutual understanding across faith traditions and empowering grassroots spiritual leaders. Rev. Breyer, who is the daughter of former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen G. Breyer, has been a dynamic force for change as the director of the Interfaith Center of New York (ICNY) since 2007. Under her guidance, ICNY has pioneered a civics training curriculum for grassroots religious leaders, created multi-faith advocacy coalitions to combat bias crimes, and championed justice and immigration reform.
Her commitment extends beyond the academic and organizational, touching the heart of social justice. In 2015, she served as a community advisor for the court-appointed facilitator in the stop-and-frisk lawsuits against the NYPD. Her work includes service to Harlem churches, including as an associate priest at St. Philip’s Church since 2012, and participating in vital interfaith dialogues and humanitarian aid initiatives in Afghanistan and Iran.
The graceful ceremony, attended by interfaith leaders and activists at the Cotillion in Jericho, NY, was a testament to the power of shared purpose. Dr Faroque A. Khan, IFI chairman and founder of the Islamic Center of Long Island, presented the award alongside Dr. Unni Mooppan, IFI President, and directors representing a beautiful tapestry of faiths. Dr. Khan lauded Rev. Breyer, a PhD holder in Christian Ethics, as a brilliant example of interreligious collaboration and visionary leadership.
Dr Faroque A. Khan, IFI chairman and founder of the Islamic Center of Long Island, presented the award to Rev. Chloe Breyer, describing her as a “brilliant example of interreligious collaboration and visionary leadership”.
A Global and Historical Context for Dialogue
The evening commenced with a presidential address by Dr. Unni Mooppan, who placed the IFI’s work within a grand historical narrative. He highlighted the 1893 World Parliament of Religions in Chicago as a landmark event in American interfaith history, where Swami Vivekananda, a young Hindu monk from India, captivated the West and introduced Hinduism—demonstrating the profound change one person can effect.
The event itself embodied the spirit of multi-faith engagement with invocation prayers offered by representatives from the Christian (Bob Keeler), Sikh (Anu Bindra), Muslim (Chaplain Sanaa Nadeem), Hindu (Parveen Chopra), Jewish (Rabbi David Katz), Humanist (Arthur Dobrin), and Baháʼí (Harriet Fishman) traditions.
As the event took place a day before Diwali, Parveen Chopra, Founding Editor of A Lotus In The Mud, arranged table decorations to honor the Indian Festival of Lights.
Music from different faiths was a highlight of the event. Thahseen Mohammed (Muslim), Rabbi Lisa Ann and Akiva Wharton (Jewish), Budh Prakash Jasuja and his daughter Nanki Jasuja (Hindu/Sikh) were the singers.
Recalling some of the previous IFI events, Rabbi David Katz spoke on the Passover Seder while Lyn Dobrin described Eid al-Adha dinner. Zainab Bey spoke of Life Cycle events, and Daisy Khan spoke about art events and Halal education.
The Power of Alliance: From Prayer to Policy
Accepting the award, Rev. Breyer reflected on her journey to “create bridges between various religions.” She emphasized that the strength of New York City’s diverse fabric—and indeed, our democracy—is directly tied to these interfaith collaborations.
“We try very hard to give the tools that faith leaders need to engage in civic life in this multicultural democracy,” she stated.
She explained that principles like religious freedom are not abstract ideas but are connected to practical, day-to-day realities—including urban planning, zoning, or parking ordinances. This understanding led ICNY to sign an amicus brief supporting Muslims on Long Island in their efforts to expand their mosque in Oyster Bay.
Rev. Breyer praised the work of Dr. Khan, a professor of medicine who is a native of Kashmir, stating, “The Interfaith Institute and the Islamic Center are a part of your legacy that is not particularly replicable.” She also recognized her long-standing collaboration with Dr. Daisy Khan, an IFI director and the evening’s emcee, recalling their work organizing interfaith prayers for the 10th anniversary of 9/11.
Expressing optimism, she noted the progress made, citing that 10 years ago, no one could have imagined a Muslim being the frontrunner for Mayor of New York City. She spoke of hope in “this dark time,” achieved through long-fought efforts: “It took lawsuits and sermons, it took rallies and most of all, it took alliances that overcame real religious differences between communities.”
Reflections on a Decade of Unity
Concluding the evening, Dr Khan, Chairman of the IFI Board, reflected on the Institute’s ten-year journey since its “experiment” began in 2015. He shared key highlights, which showcase the IFI’s commitment to immersive interfaith education:
- Holidays Across Faiths: Initiatives like a Passover Seder held in a mosque and the “Unity in Food” Interfaith Feast.
- Program Diversity: Addressing vital contemporary issues such as Jihad, Fake News, Reparations, and Mental Health.
- Academic Engagement and Collaborations: Partnerships with Hofstra, Stony Brook, and other institutions.
As the IFI looks to its next decade, the shared sentiment is one of hope for even deeper understanding, broader outreach, and enduring unity. Rev. Breyer’s award serves not just as a recognition of her past work but as a renewed call to action for all those seeking to build a more just and interconnected world.
Contact: https://interfaithny.com
