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In addressing the nation’s military, President Obama’s first State of the Union offered hope to not only expand and improve the capacity of our armed forces, but to do the same for our nation. As a member of Intersections International—a social justice organization that promotes understanding across lines of culture and faith, and whose cause célèbre is to honor the diversity of our world—it was incredible to witness that moment in the President’s speech.

This past Sunday we celebrated Intersections Day at the Collegiate Fort Washington Church. It is a time for Intersections, which itself is a multi-faith, multi-cultural project of the Collegiate Church, to strut its stuff, so to speak, at the various other congregations. This was the first time I was in New York to attend one of these “Days.” The Fort Washington congregation was wonderfully welcoming and generous to Intersections staff. Rev. Robert Chase, our Founding Director, was able to deliver what is titled “Scripture and Sermon.” One of the multi-faith elements of Intersections is that I am Jewish. I fully enjoyed the experience of a joyous service filled with graciousness, acceptance and song.

So, the Oscars are this weekend and whatever the outcome, there is little doubt about who won at the box office. James Cameron’s epic Avatar is smashing all kinds of attendance records and is on the path to becoming the highest grossing film of all time—by any measurement—while charting a new way of filmmaking.

Earlier last month, I had the privilege to participate in a panel discussion that focused on how the arts can be used to highlight the plight of Iraqi refugees. Joining me in the panel where the Iraqi Voices Amplification Project (IVAP) artists Michael Jordan and Kim Schultz, in addition to Charity Tooze.  Charity is a freelance journalist and academic focusing on politics in the Middle East.

A discussion is taking place across America about what is important.  The Great Recession has fallen on people’s dreams and aspirations like a ton of bricks.  Too many of us began to define our self-worth not by who we are and what we do, but instead by what we own and how much money we make. Now that most people’s net-worth has decreased and may earn less (or nothing at all), many are re-examining the less tangible things in life – relationships, ideas, community and faith.

The deputy leader of the Yemen-based wing of al Qaeda (Saeed al-Shehri) has called on Muslims in the Arabian Peninsula to wage regional holy war against Jews and Christians. In an attempt to cut off U.S. shipments to Israel through the Red Sea, the group has also called for a blockade claiming, “... you have no other way out from this plight other than to wage jihad.” This is the same group of religious fundamentalists who claimed responsibility for last Decembers failed terrorism attack on Northwest Airlines Flight 253.

To be gay in America overwhelmingly means to be denied essential rights and protections. From marriage equality to parental rights, hate crimes to job discrimination, the estimated 30 million Americans who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT), face pervasive social and legal opposition to exercising basic liberties most citizens take for granted.

This Sunday is Valentines Day (or perhaps more properly, St. Valentines Day) and provokes the question of love.  I presume we all give cards with wonderful poetry to our spouses, significant others, boy or girl friend, maybe even our children.  Let me explain what mine would be if it were to be given to the most powerful people in the world.

On Thursday, Feb. 4, Intersections held its second panel discussion ChangingTheStory: Amplifying the Voices of Iraqi Refugees in the three-part lecture series on Intercultural Dialogue to ChangeTheStory. This panel featured four speakers who discussed different vehicles they are using to highlight the voices of Iraqi Refugees.

It is always amazing to me and an inspiration when, at the time of crisis we come together to help those in need. This speaks to the quality of our human understanding and the inner wisdom to acknowledge that but by the grace of God, go I. Greater still we give ourselves permission to FEEL like a family. One wonderful phenomenon is that often artists come together to both inspire financial support and in their own way “Re-tune” the energy of our hearts to FEEL a connection, celebrate the value of life and aesthetically awaken the reality of our human vulnerability and the sanctity of living. This is one of the benchmarks of our Arts at the Intersection initiative.