Please join us online

ICUJP Friday Forum
Dec. 19th 7:30-9:30 am Pacific  

Painting: John August Swanson, "Celebration"

ICUJP Holiday Party/By Little and By Little: A Year at the LA Catholic Worker

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Event Description: 

We gather together this time of year to acknowledge our mutual struggle for justice and peace, and the work still to be done.

The Reflection will be presented by everyone. Please share a minute or two about what you are most proud of this year and what you hope to accomplish in 2026 to advance our mission that Religious Communities Must Stop Blessings War and Violence.

We will also be hearing from Matt Harper of the L.A. Catholic Worker - In a year of fires and I.C.E. and the precarity of our world, the Los Angeles Catholic Worker has found hope in our faithful witness and works, one day at a time.

Join the conversation with our speaker:

Matt Harper has spent the last 9 years as part of the L.A. Catholic Worker community.

7:30 - 7:35  Log in and socialize
7:35 - 7:45  Welcome and introductions 
7:45 - 7:50  Reflection (5 min. maximum)
7:50 - 9:15  Program and Q&A
9:15 - 9:20  Announcements
9:20 - 9:30  Closing circle and prayer

Start your morning with us! 

Facilitator: Steve Rohde

** Meetings begin promptly at 7:30 am Pacific. **

Here's how to join the online meeting:

To join by video conference, you'll need to download the Zoom app on your computer or mobile device. Click on the link to join the meeting and then enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You'll be able to see slides and video, as well as speakers and other attendees.

If you prefer to join by phone, you'll be prompted to enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You won't be able to see the visuals or attendees, but you can view them on the meeting video recording afterward. 

If you're new to Zoom and would like to use the video option, we recommend you download the app well ahead of time.

ICUJP Friday Forum 12/19/25
Time: 07:30 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

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*Meeting controls for call-in attendees:
To mute/unmute yourself: *6
To raise hand: *9

(To find a dial-in number closer to you, go here.)

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Please note: Our Friday Forums and other events are open to the public. By attending, you consent to having your voice and likeness recorded, photographed, posted on ICUJP's website and social media, and included in ICUJP materials and publications for noncommercial purposes. If you don't want to be photographed or recorded, please let the facilitator know.

Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace recognizes the Gabrieliño Tongva as the past, present, and future caretakers of the land, water, and cultural resources in the unceded territory of Los Angeles.

Join us for our annual Close Guantanamo NOW Vigil - fighting 24 years of injustice

Join us in-person:

Sunday, January 11th, 2026
Wilshire/Westwood Federal Building,
11000 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024
12:00 - 1:30 pm Pacific Time

RSVP HERE!

Speakers:

          -- Khalid Hudson, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)

          -- Michael Rapkin, Guantanamo Bar

          -- Rebecca Husaini, Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC)

          -- Jim Lafferty, National Lawyers Guild

          -- Mohammad Tajsar, ACLU of Southern California

          -- Rachel Bruhnke, Code Pink

          -- Shane Que Hee, Out Against War.

                                       more speakers to be announced!

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Give the gift of Justice and Peace for the holidays!

Next year, Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace will be commemorating 25 years of advocacy for the disenfranchised and abused at home and around the world. In the aftermath of September 11th 2001, Los Angeles religious and secular leaders and activists came together to seek an alternative to the fearmongering and vengefulness sweeping much of our nation.

The main message of ICUJP is that “Religious Communities Must Stop Blessing War and Violence.”

We have endured and spread our message through very trying times - five Presidents, four California Governors, and numerous crises and challenges  that would shake the resolve of even the most devout and dedicated group of activists. But through it all, we have held true to our mission to be the voice for "the least of these", and to our determination to create the change we want to see in the world, no matter how daunting the opposition can seem.

ICUJP operates as a largely volunteer organization with a small part-time paid staff. We have survived for over twenty years through the generosity of individuals and organizations such as yourselves. 

We would be honored if you can donate $25, $50, $100 (or more) to help us keep up with the increasing costs of securing live venues, renting audio and video equipment, printing valuable information for live events, and bringing our social media tools up to date.

We have several ways for you to support our work:

You can go to the ICUJP donation page on our website to make a one-time donation, or spread your donation out monthly.

You can also visit our ICUJP Threadless Store where you can make a purchase and wear your support for our organization, or give the gift of a tote bag, a mug, or a cute little onesie so your grandkids can be fashionable!

If you make a donation using either of these options, we will also send you a personalized ICUJP membership card for yourself or as a gift to print out:

ICUJP operates as a largely volunteer organization with a small part-time paid staff. We have survived for 25 years through the generosity of individuals like yourselves and organizations such as yours.

Thank you for your ongoing support – we are honoured to be standing shoulder to shoulder with you in the struggle for universal Justice and Peace.

RESOURCES FOR PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF A PEOPLE UNDER SEIGE

ICUJP Condemns the actions of the current administration to foment unrest in Southern California and other parts of the US. We hope you will find the following information useful in keeping involved and safe.

RSVP Here

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BREU Video

BREU (DARKNESS) - NEW SINGLE ABOUT THE HORRORS IN GAZA - MUSIC BY CHICO CÉSAR WITH LYRICS BY CHICO CÉSAR, FABIO PINCZOWSKI, ORAN ETKIN, NOGA RITTER

In a gesture of empathy toward the thousands who have lost their lives or their families in Gaza — as well as the many humanitarian teams who have tried to bring dignity and hope — Chico César and a group of musicians of Jewish heritage, Noga Ritter, Oran Etkin, Luísa Maita, Benjamim, Fábio Pinczowski, Gabriel Levy, and Paulo Rapoport, are releasing the song BREU. The track features the participation of Rivo, a musician who lives in Gaza.

Combining Portuguese, English, Arabic and Hebrew, the song is a cry of protest against violence, capturing the pain and anger of a wounded community. The artists raise their voices against injustice — not only in Gaza, but anywhere in the world. BREU is a reminder of how music can be a powerful tool for protest and social change.

Rivo is an artist based in Gaza who has been collaborating with Etkin for over a year, sending his music via audio messages on WhatsApp while fleeing the bombings. The video includes a QR code at the end to donate to Rivo and his community. We hope to eventually expand this model of collaboration with Gaza artists, giving them a platform for their voice to be heard while also providing crucial funds directly to the Palestinian artists in a time of need.

Support Rivo and his efforts in Gaza here.