About

ICUJP was founded in Los Angeles after 9.11 to support the work of Faith leaders from Buddhist, Christian, Islamic, Jewish and other spiritual faiths and traditions who say "Religious Communities Must Stop Blessing War and Violence..." ICUJP's activities promote critical examination of the costs of violence and war at home and in the world from the Faith perspective. We insist on respect for human rights, international law and the use of peaceful means in the resolution of conflicts. Since September 2001, a committed group has combined with newcomers every Friday morning in a church basement in Los Angeles at 7:00 am. At these meetings one is likely to hear issues presented by ACLU attorneys, Palestinian/Israeli nonviolent activists or Colombian labor organizers, in political/social discussions with a faith-based orientation. Dialogue at the meetings has been characterized by Rev. James Lawson (a founding member and regular attender and speaker) as unique in his experience for the courage of Jews and Muslims in particular to face issues that can inflame divisions --- and yet these members have found political common ground. ICUJP's monthly activities have included Interfaith Services and Forums throughout the Los Angeles area. Our Services and Forums have been addressed by distinguished persons such as US Rep Barbara Lee, Global Exchange and Code Pink co-founder Medea Benjamin, State Senator Richard Polanco, Dr. Hassan Hathout, Rabbi Leonard Beerman, former California State Assemblyman Tom Hayden, School of the Americas Watch founder Father Roy Bourgeois and others. In late September, 2011, ICUJP received notification of a $2000 grant from the Diane Middleton Foundation in San Pedro. The grant will be used to support the development of, and at least three performances of professionally staged readings of Reckoning With Torture, in collaboration with our project partners, Dramastage-Qumran and The Veterans Project's John Needham Media Center. The first performance took place on International Human Rights Day, December 10, 2011, at the United University Church on the USC campus. 2012 Board of Directors Rev. Dr. George F. Regas Founder & Convener Episcopal The Regas Institute Stephen F. Rohde,  Chair Jewish Dr. Grace R. Dyrness, Vice-Chair Institute for Urban Initiatives Fr. Chris Ponnet, Treasurer Catholic Archdiocese/Pax Christi USA Veda Veach, Secretary United Methodist CA People of Faith Working Against the Death Penalty Bonnie Blustein Unitarian - Universalist Rev. Dr. Ignacio Castuera United Methodist Rev. Louis Chase, United Methodist Hamilton United Methodist Church Ed Fisher, Episcopal Veterans for Peace Rev. Stephen L. Fiske, Interfaith Unity and Diversity Council Rev. John Forney, Episcopal Progressive Christians Uniting Elizabeth  F. Hailey, Episcopal Saint Michael‘s & All Angels Sherrel Johnson, Muslim Council on American-Islamic Relations Rabbi Jonathan Klein, Jewish Clergy & Laity United for Economic Justice Canon Lydia Lopez, Episcopal Rita Lowenthal, Jewish J Street, Progressive Jewish Alliance Anthony Manousos, Quaker Santa Monica Friends Meeting Paul Nugent, Aetherius Society Dick Platkin, Jewish L.A. Jews for Peace Dr. Simon Simonian, Quaker Dr. Susan Stouffer, Presbyterian, USA/ United Methodist Peace Center, United University Church   STAFF Andy Griggs, Program Director Rod Sprott,  Bookkeeper Robert Link, Webmaster Luis Rivas, Regas Intern