Stay updated with the latest happenings at BAYCC. Find details about upcoming events and read news stories that showcase our work and impact in the community.
On June 22nd, 2024, YouthLink, a group for social services under Bay Area Cultural Connections, successfully mobilized volunteers from Pacifica Institute and BAYCC organizations for the World Ocean Day Beach Cleanup at Mussel Rock Beach. In organizing this event the YouthLink members collaborated with a Pacific Beach Coalition, a grassroots organization that works to facilitate voluntarism in cleaning beaches and water bodies.
The BAYCC and Pacifica Institute volunteers distributed ground beef as part of the Eid-Al Adha celebration, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, which is a significant event in the Islamic calendar known for emphasizing charity and community support. Muslims around the world engage in the ritual sacrifice of animals, typically distributing the meat to family, friends, and those in need.
Multifaith Voices for Peace & Justice organized an interfaith prayer event on “Our Journey Through Life and Death,” on June 11, 2024, at the First Palo Alto United Methodist Church in Palo Alto, CA. Hosted by Reverend Burke Owens, the event began with a welcome address and passages from the Bible.
Participants of the “Twelve Months by the Bay: A Pacifica-PTBE Journey Together” project attended a tour of Elkhorn Slough on June 9, 2024. This project, consisting of a series of events, aims to foster interfaith family relationships between Muslim and Jewish communities.
The Abrahamic Alliance International (AAi) organized a Unity Walkathon on June 9th, 2024, a significant event to foster peaceful coexistence among Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Participants were congregation members of several faith houses in Silicon Valley who walked in solidarity to raise funds for AAi’s mission of alleviating poverty and promoting interfaith harmony.
With its impressive debut, hundreds of total guests, and over a dozen speakers, youth group RISE’s pinnacle event, “Çay, Çekirdek & Chat,” is now a recognizable brand within BAYCC, continuing to be a gathering point for discussion, education, and intellectual curiosity on a limitless span of topics. Given its success, the youth group RISE, who were tasked with representing BAYCC dialogue efforts in the Civic Engagement Seminar in Malibu, were also asked to organize a Çay, Çekirdek & Chat as part of the seminar, which ended up being a massive success and an exchange of beautiful moments.
On the auspicious occasion of the final day of Ramadan, April 9th, the BAYCC and Pacifica Institute convened their cherished annual California Iftar Dinner in Sacramento. Abdurrahman Yapik, the Sacramento Coordinator, extended a warm welcome to guests, marking the beginning of an evening dedicated to unity and fellowship.
The North California branch of Embrace Relief was established less than a year ago, but the committee has been working steadily to make an impact on both a local and global level. Amongst the past Ramadan’s events and donation efforts, the Embrace Relief team partnered with the BAYCC weekend school; a partnership where funds were raised through bake sales and later transferred over to the Embrace Relief representatives in Uganda.
Grace Cathedral and the Pacifica Institute proudly co-hosted their annual iftar dinner in San Francisco, joined by esteemed partners such as BAYCC, the San Francisco Interfaith Council, and numerous other faith houses and peace organizations on Thursday, April 4. This vibrant gathering epitomized the spirit of community as members from diverse backgrounds came together to commemorate Ramadan under the theme “Ramadan: A Month of Connecting Communities.
Community Comes Together for Ramadan Iftar Dinner In a heartwarming display of unity and cultural celebration, the Ramadan Iftar dinner recently brought together a diverse group of 85 guests, including members from academia, UCSF staff, doctors, and UCSF leadership at UCSF Mission Bay Campus. Organized by a dedicated team comprising Goknur, Merve, Ebru, and Ozlem, the event was a testament to the power of community engagement and inclusivity.
For the second consecutive year, Muslim residents of Rancho La Mesa, Sunnyvale, extended invitations to their neighbors for a neighborhood iftar dinner. The gathering took place in the clubhouse of the residential complex, serving as a warm and welcoming venue for families to come together.
Peninsula Temple Sholom, Pacifica Institute, BAYCC, and the Peninsula Multifaith Coalition united once again to host their annual interfaith iftar dinner at the temple campus on Thursday, March 28, 2024, marking the event’s second year. This year’s theme, “Recommitting to Kindness,” set the tone for an evening of reflection and unity.
St. Paul United Methodist Church, the Tri-City Interfaith Council, the Pacifica Institute, and BAYCC collaborated to host their first joint interfaith iftar dinner at the Methodist Church on Saturday, March 23, 2023.
On Sunday, March 17, 2024, Congregation Netivot Shalom, Pacifica Institute, and BAYCC hosted the annual interfaith iftar dinner. This significant event celebrated its 15th consecutive year, showcasing a testament to the enduring spirit of harmony and cooperation among diverse communities.
BAYCC and Pacifica Institute volunteers from Bay Area and Sacramento graciously hosted iftar dinners at their homes for cherished old institutional friends during the sacred month of Ramadan. The invitation was warmly extended to all potential guests via email, reaching out to subscribed members through our mailing systems.
BAYCC volunteers participated in the Cultural Trip to Brazil from February 21st to 28th, organized by the Pacifica Institute. The tour delegation visited two cities: São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
What is the current state of the California legislation system? What does it feel like to determine an entire person’s future in a courtroom? What are some of the difficulties of working in juvenile law? On February 18t, 2024, youth group RISE held the 5th Çay, Çekirdek & Chat event and invited Judge Bondonno to find out. Following the usual format of the event, the attendees gathered around the speaker in a circle and with complete interest, and listened as Judge Bondonno shared a bit about his background, accomplishments, difficulties and personal life.
BAYCC and Pacifica Institute organized an Interfaith Lecture on “Spirituality in Islam” conducted by Prof. Zeki Saritoprak, the Bediuzzaman Said Nursi Chair in Islamic Studies, Professor in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies, John Carroll University, Cleveland, Ohio, on Friday, Feb 9, 2024 at BAYCC Community Centre.
BAYCC and Pacifica Institute participated in Dick Heiman’s Celebration of Life at Peninsula Temple Beth El on Friday, Jan 26, 2024. Dick Heiman is an old Pacifica Institute well-wisher who has contributed numerous times to the Pacifica community.
The third Monday of each January signals the coming of an important day, and the bravery that characterizes it. To celebrate this, on the 15th of January, the Peninsula Multifaith Coalition (PMC) hosted its Annual MLK Mutlifaith Day of Service, drawing together hundreds of volunteers from over 30 diverse faith houses, volunteer groups and organizations across the San Mateo County community.
BAYCC and Pacifica Institute participated in the San Francisco Peace March on January 15th, MLK Jr. Day.
Embellished in chair bows, balloon garlands, and the good-will of Bay Area’s people, the 2023 Kids for Kids Fundraiser Art Gala- organized and hosted by Embrace Relief NorCal – was the first event of its kind, setting the bar for all future fundraisers at the BAYCC. The gala event, running from 7 to 10 PM on the evening of Saturday 9th, featured a groundbreaking approach to fundraising, which then proved to be a tremendous success as the night unfolded: an auction.
The “Light over Darkness Festival” was held on December 2nd, 2023, at Sanatan Mandir in San Bruno, California. This interfaith event was organized by Sanatan Mandir in collaboration with several interfaith organizations and faith houses including BAYCC and Pacifica Institute, and is a testament to the power of partnership and community spirit transcending religious boundaries to celebrate each others’ festivals.
