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Dearest Friends, I take very seriously my role as a public intellectual. Each year i am involved in a series of unique projects that have called me to respond to the community to whom i serve. Listed below are summaries of the selected issues that i have addressed through my public witness and activism. Peace, Nate  Immigrant Rights
On May 1, 2006, i delivered the following prayer at an immigrant-rights vigil. It was held at at the Misión Bautista Hispana De Westchester as part of the Oración y Solidaridad service with Rvdo. Amaury Tanon-Santos, Pastor General ~ Senior Minister. The double-breasted pledge arose from a reoccurring nightmare, which i explain on my blog. Peace is Possible SeriesInspired by the "Peace is Possible" event at Union Theological, i began to ask: is it possible highlight the peace-affirming passages in the sacred texts in all the world's religions? Could it be published as part of a Peace is Possible series? Read my proposal.
Poverty Truth Commission In the spring of 2005, i served as a grant writer to help the Union Theological Seminary Poverty Initiative and the Teachers College Student Senate host a Poverty Truth Commission. This student led event seeks to challenge the Columbia University community, religious institutions, and society at large to fully participate in the growing economic justice movement. We believe that our religious traditions call for the elimination of poverty - not simply reducing, alleviating, or managing it. We are committed to working with those immediately affected by economic injustice. For more information or to find out how you can support this work, contact
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Establishing a National Tuition EndowmentIn response to the nation's tuition crisis - dramatic rise in loans and decreasing federal and state grants - i have been serving as the executive director to the student movement to create a National Tuition Endowment . We were selected by Mother Jones to be the top student movements in the country and featured on AirAmerica. In April 2006 we were invited to present our bill at a staff briefing in the United States Senate. For more information visit http://www.tuitionendowment.org/. Interfaith ForumIn response to the events of 9/11 and the War in Iraq, i worked closely with the Society for Jewish Educators at Teachers College in composing a grant to host a university-wide event entitled: "Religious Education During Times of War" . This interfaith forum was funded by the President of Teachers College and the President and Provost of Columbia University. The forum was moderated by Dr. Thomas Sobol, a professor at Columbia Teachers' College and a former NY State Commissioner of Education. The panelists were Shaykh Abd'Allah Latif Ali, representing the Imams' Council of NY; Dr. Mary C. Boys, a Catholic professor from Union Theological Seminary; Rabbi Noam Marans, representing the American Jewish Committee; and the Rev. Orlanda Brugnola, U.U. Chaplain at Columbia University. Approximately 200 participants attended the event held at the prestigious Low Library at Columbia University.  Freedom to Marry
In the summer of 2006, the Empire State Pride Agenda affirmed my advocacy as a prominent New Yorker. In October of 2003, i was invited by the Brearley School in New York City to debate the religious pros of same-sex marriage. I framed the debate through the following presentation: "Am i Worthy of Love?".  Affirmative Action
On April 1st, 2003 i helped organize various members of Teachers College to rally before the U.S. Supreme Court to defend affirmative action in college admissions. Rwanda GenocideIn remembrance of the 10th Anniversary of the Rwanda genocide, i worked with Dr. Helen Fine, the director of the Institute for the Study of Genocide, and the Rev. Orlanda Brugnola. "Remembering Rwanda" was held in May of 2004 at Union Theological Seminary. Please read my sermon on "Imagination as a Spiritual Discipline" to learn more about the tragedies in Rwanda.
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