SOSS Conference Logo WC 2023 round

October 28 - 29, 2023

Sacramento, CA

West Coast Conference

We are thrilled to invite you to our first West Coast National Conference!  The conference will be held at Sierra 2 Center for the Arts & Community, 2791 24th Street, Sacramento, CA  95818

Pre-Conference interfaith concert on Saturday, October 28th at 6:30pm at Congregation B'nai Israel, 3600 Riverside Blvd, Sacramento, CA  95818

Tickets will be limited so make sure to get yours early!  This will be an in-person event open to our members, community members, friends and allies.

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    Keynote Speakers

    Aisha

    Senator Aisha Wahab

    Senator Aisha Wahab was elected in 2022 representing the cities of Hayward, Union City, Newark, Fremont, Milpitas, Sunnyvale, San Jose and Santa Clara.

    Aisha is a community leader.  In 2018 when she won her seat on Hayward City Council, Aisha made national headlines as the first Afghan-American woman elected to public office in the United States. As Mayor Pro Tempore & City Council Member of Hayward, Aisha has implemented policies that reduce economic inequality, expand homeownership opportunities, support small businesses, and strengthen safety nets for seniors, women, children and working families.

    Wendy

    Wendy Goldberg

    Wendy Goldberg is a founding board member and the Executive Director of Tri-Faith Initiative, which brings a synagogue, church, mosque, and interfaith center together on one 38-acre campus in Omaha, Nebraska.  From the intentionally diverse space, they bridge divides among three faith communities, neighbors throughout their larger local community, and, increasingly, people across the US and around the world.

    For more than 15 years she has worked with clergy, lay leaders, social sector and nonprofit organizations, community leaders, and local educators to make interfaith cooperation a social norm. Wendy leads from her value of courageous living. She is deeply passionate about how we can understand ourselves and our neighbors better, adapting to meet the needs of our community.

    Welcome From Our Mayors

    The Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom is so excited to announce both Mayor Darrell Steinberg of Sacramento and Mayor Farrah Khan of Irvine will grace us with their presence at the start of our conference!

    MDS Headshot

    Mayor Darrell Steinberg, Sacramento

    Darrell Steinberg is one of Sacramento's most accomplished public servants, having served as a City Councilman before being elected to the State Assembly and State Senate.  As a state legislator, Steinberg championed economic development, education reform, building sustainable communities and major investments in healthcare and education.  Darrell was the first Sacramentan to serve as President of the State Senate in more than 125 years and was elected the 57th mayor of Sacramento in 2016.

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    Mayor Farrah Khan, Irvine

    Farrah Khan made history in November of 2020, becoming the 23rd Mayor of Irvine.  She not only received the highest number of votes for the position of Mayor in the city's history, but also shattered glass ceilings as the first woman of color to hold the position, and the first Muslim woman to lead a large city in the United States.  She was re-elected as Mayor in 2022 to serve her second term.  She was first elected to the Irvine City Council in 2018.   Farrah's focus in Irvine is leading innovation and technology, maintaining a safe environment and fiscal stability, combating climate change and protecting the health and wellness of Irvine's diverse communities.

    CONNECT

    LEARN

    Act

    Join us for a day dedicated to gathering with fellow attendees, developing new skills, learning from renowned experts, and doing your part in creating a just, peaceful, and inclusive world.

    What you can expect

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    Workshops - building and expanding on our work and looking at how each of us brings a unique perspective to build our collective strength.  Topics will include developing strategies for engaging in social conversations that can be polarizing, minority issues in schools, Israel/Palestine, and self reflection through personal expression.

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    Vendor Fair with various local goods and services that are interesting for our sisters!

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    Networking and Building Relationships from across the Sisterhood in small group discussions on the day of the conference plus an additional opportunity at a Welcome Event on Saturday evening!

    Workshop Information

    Eileen

    Depolarizing Within

    Eileen Jacobowitz

    During these politically divisive times, how can we become aware of our “inner polarizer” and develop strategies for engaging in social conversations with like-minded peers without demonizing large groups of ordinary people on the other side of the political aisle? The Depolarizing Within Workshop is designed to foster skills to help you lessen the effects of polarization when you encounter them in your political conversations.  Eileen Jacobowitz is a trained moderator with Braver Angels, a grass-roots organization that brings conservatives and progressives together on equal terms to understand our differences, find common ground where it is exists, and help the country we all love find a better way.

    linda

    How Culture Wars in Schools Are Affecting Religious Minorities and What You Can Do About It

    Linda Wertheimer

    New state laws as well as attacks on diversity training efforts in education are hampering teachers' ability to talk about racism, implicit bias, gender and sexual identity, and how to respect and make space for diversity. These culture wars rippling throughout America are likely to foment more anti-Muslim and anti-Jewish bigotry. Several states have passed so-called religious liberty laws, prompted by a Christian nationalist movement that is already celebrating a 2022 Supreme Court ruling which may make it easier to have more prayer - namely, Christian prayer - in public schools. Linda is the author of Faith Ed, Teaching About Religion in an Age of Intolerance.  Purchase her book HERE!
    CfP speakers

     

     

    Israel/Palestine: Personal Narratives and Sharing

    Guests from Combatants for Peace - Souli Khatib and Ayala Shaler

    Learn and understand how culture and religion can impact the way we connect, communicate and lead others. In this experiential workshop you will explore different leadership models and styles, understand how our identity, religion and culture can impact how we show up in the world around us. You will understand your own unique leadership style and discover other ways you can lead effectively.

    Sima

    "It's Time to Share. The Little Book of Feeling Good"

    Sima Nafiz

    Sima, Author of "It's Time to Share - The Little Book of Feeling Good", is one of our region's co-leaders and an immigrant from Afghanistan. Over many years, Sima has written over 500 expressions that have helped her navigate life.  Sima will briefly discuss her journey and will facilitate group discussions around some of her expressions and how they fit in with the participants' lives.

    “Amazing to be together again! I enjoyed all of the speakers but I have to say, the chance to be together in person was a gift!” ~2022 Conference Participant

    Saturday Evening Welcome Event

    Join your fellow conference attendees for a special concert and welcome event on Saturday evening, October 28th from 6:30pm - 9:00pm featuring Huyam Ensemble! Tickets are available when you purchase your conference ticket! Coffee and desserts will be served!

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    Huyam Ensemble is a music group open to musicians with interest in sacred and devotional music from all traditions. Huyam is an Arabic word that means “passionate love”. The word is made out of two syllabus: “Hu” which refers to the Divine in several traditions and “Yam” which means Ocean or Sea (in both Arabic and Hebrew). For the Sisterhood Salaam-Shalom Concert, Huyam Ensemble is honored to feature the following musicians and vocalists:

    Gary Haggerty - Oud Player

    Gary is an incredibly talented multi-instrumentalist playing a wide range of string instruments from various traditions. In addition to the violin and Viola he plays a variety of lutes including the Oud, Laouti, Mendocello, Tarhu and Saz. He plays with the world music ensemble Teslim and Stellamara as well as several other Bay Area groups such as Janam and the Helladelics. He has studied with the Oud master Naseer Shamma and has studied, recorded, and performed with Ross Daly and Kelly Thoma. He has toured with the Mevlevi Dervish (Sufi) Order of America and continues to participate in Turkish ceremonial and devotional gatherings around the country. In addition to being a composer and performer, Gary is a talented luthier repairing strings instruments of every variety and finding ingenious ways to allow the true voice of an instrument to come forth.

    Duygu Gün  - Female Vocalist

    Duygu is a musician, artist, and curator from Turkey, based in San Francisco since 2012. Her lifelong passion for music and fascination with diverse folk traditions have led her on a unique musical journey. Performing on guitar and vocals since 1997, she has graced stages in London, Istanbul, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Northern California. In 2020, she teamed up with her accordion-guitar duo Nakarat, enchanting listeners with vibrant Mediterranean folk songs in Turkish, Ladino, Greek, Griko, and Italian. Beyond music, Duygu is dedicated to supporting the local music scene, preserving folk culture and bringing people together through the power of music and shared human experiences. In 2022, she co-founded the Anatolian Arts Institute, a platform with a mission to introduce Anatolian Arts and Culture to local and international audiences through an array of participatory workshops, performances, research, and educational activities.

    Michael Baefsky – Male Vocalist

    Michael Baefsky sings Turkish folk and Mevlevi liturgical music and plays the oud. He studies Turkish Classical music with Dr. Timuçin Çevikoğlu.  Michael played acoustic bass, acoustic guitar and sang in Ellis Island Old World Folk Band and played bass and sang in the I’ll Be Right Home Honey Later Band.  Additionally, Michael accompanied several Jewish congregations in the San Francisco Bay Area on bass, guitar and vocals.

    Amira Kotb – Female Vocalist

    Amira is an Egyptian American singer that specializes in Arab and Sufi music. She composes and performs sacred songs in Arabic but sings in several other languages including Turkish, Persian, Hebrew, English, French and Greek. In addition to being a vocalists with Huyam and Aswat Ensemble, Amira is a student of Qanun, a mother of two and a non-profit manager.

    Faisal Zedan – Derbakki Player

    Faisal is an Arabic percussionist and drummer who was born in Lebanon and raised in Syria. He grew up impassioned with the derbakki (Arabic drum) and at the age of 15 after intensive study with a local drummer Faisal became exposed to a wide repertoire of Arabic classical and contemporary music, playing on derbakki, riqq and frame drums from Arabic and Middle Eastern music genres. Upon arrival in California in 1991, he joined the acclaimed UCLA near East music Ensemble directed by Dr. Ali Jihad Racy. Faisal is affiliated with several groups including Kan Zaman, Qadim, Stellamara and Aswat Ensemble.

    Sunday Schedule

    9:00am        Registration/Coffee
    9:30             Member Networking
    9:50             Conference Welcome
    10:30           Keynote Speaker
    11:10           Keynote Speaker
    12:15pm     Lunch/Prayer/Networking
    1:30             Welcome Back
    1:45             Workshops
    3:15             Call to Action
    3:30             Networking Circle
    4:00pm       Closing

    Please note all times are Pacific Daylight Time. Schedule is subject to change.

    “There is something in the air – the sense of power and possibility – I always leave the conference feeling energized, inspired, and ready to take on the world.” ~Lisa

    Show Us Your Sisterhood Spirit!

    scarf

    Our "From Dialogue to Action" Conference scarf is available for pre-order! This beautiful poly-chiffon scarf with grey-thread finished edges is 16" wide by 72" long. All pre-orders will be available for pick-up at the conference.  Make sure to order yours today for special pre-conference pricing!

    Green Brown Minimalist Simple Healthy Food Book Cover (5.5 × 8.5 in) (1)

    Pre-order your copy of The Spirit of Salaam Shalom Cookbook by the Sisters in Sacramento! This amazing cookbook is a compilation of the recipes from the regional newsletters of the past 7 years plus additional recipes contributed by the Sisters and their families! Order your copy today and receive it at the conference!

    Sponsoring this year's conference enables this important event to be accessible to the greatest number of people possible, allowing supporters to join us from around the globe as we spend the day learning from experts and engaging in this critical work.

    Since 2014, our annual conference has been the largest, North American-based gathering for Muslim and Jewish women and allies seeking to build community, develop skills, and advocate for an end to discrimination, prejudice, and hate. Your support helps ensure that conference attendees will take home new tools to further prepare themselves to advocate, educate, and become leaders on the front lines against ignorance and bigotry.

    Through joining us as a sponsor for From Dialogue to Action, you’re signaling your commitment to interfaith engagement, to building just and inclusive communities, and to seeking peace, not only to hundreds of conference attendees but to all who participate in our work.

    Sponsorship Tiers

    Purple (Supporter)

    $500
    • Logo featured on marketing materials, including on website, in event program and in newsletter
    • Acknowledgement on social media platform
    • 2 tickets to attend conference in-person

    Bronze (Sustainer)

    $1000
    • Same as Purple level, plus
    • 2 in person tickets for Saturday evening social conference kick off event
    • Option to display organization provided signage at event

    Silver (Ally)

    $2500
    • Purple and Bronze level items, plus
    • Listed as sponsor for a specific workshop or for Saturday evening's program
    • 2 tickets to attend conference in-person
    • 2 tickets to attend the conference kickoff event on Saturday evening in-person
    • Selection of one co-branded item to include in Welcome Bag

    Gold (Friend)

    $5000
    • Listed as sponsor of keynote speaker
    • Prominent logo placement on marketing materials, including website and event program
    • Acknowledgement at conference opening
    • Acknowledgement on social media platforms
    • 3 in-person tickets to attend the conference
    • 3 in-person tickets to attend the conference kickoff event on Saturday evening
    • Option to place organization-provided signage at event
    • Selection of one co-branded item to include in Welcome Bag

    Platinum (Ambassador)

    $10000
    • Listed as General Conference Sponsor
    • Top-tier positioning and sizing of logo on all marketing materials, including website and event programming
    • Acknowledgment at conference opening
    • Acknowledgement on social media platforms
    • 4 in-person tickets to attend the conference, with reserved seating
    • 4 in-person tickets to attend the conference kick off event on Saturday evening
    • Premier placement of organization-provided signage at event
    • Selection of one co-branded item to include in Welcome Bag

    Platinum Sponsorship Tier

    Gold Sponsorship Tier

    Silver Sponsorship Tier

    Bronze Sponsorship Tier

    Purple Sponsorship Tier

    Hotel Information

    Hyatt Regency Sacramento
    1209 L Street
    Sacramento, CA  95814

    The Sisterhood has secured a rate of $199/night for single and double occupancy non-smoking rooms. Use the link below to reserve your room today! Discounted rate is available until October 6, 2023.

    Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel
    1230 J Street
    Sacramento, CA  95814

    The Sisterhood has secured a rate of $184/night for King or 2 Doubles non-smoking rooms. Use the link below to reserve your room today! Discounted rate is available until October 7, 2023.

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