Changing Face of Homelessness
Second BBQ party and lecture was held on Saturday July 19th at 4:00 pm. Our speaker, Ms. Kate Duggan from Interreligious Fellowship for the Homeless focused on "Changing Face of Homelessness".

       Intercultural Trip to Turkey
Another traditional IDC intercultural trip to Turkey took place between June 22nd and July 1st, 2008. The group had opportunity to see many historical sites as well as get to know the Turkish culture very closely. The group also visited a newspaper, a dialogue foundation and a private school in Turkey. The cities that were visited on the trip were Istanbul, Izmir, Konya, Cappadocia and Bursa.

       Faith vs Culture
The last Abraham’s Table Dialogue Luncheon this season was held at Congregation Beth Hatikvah at 36 Chatham Road Summit, NJ 07901 on Tuesday, June 17, 2008. Speakers discussed whether faith defines culture or culture defines faith.

       Ottoman Women: Myth and Reality
First BBQ party and lecture of this summer was held on Saturday June 14th at 4:00 pm. Mrs. Asli Sancar, author of the book "Ottoman Women: Myth and Reality", was the guest speaker of the day. She gave insight to the Ottoman Women carefully separating the myth from reality.

       IDC Awards Ceremony & Dinner
Annual IDC Awards Ceremony was held on June 8th. A large and diverse audience witnessed this wonderful evening. IDC publicly recognizes the outstanding achievements of those recipients who have distinguished themselves in their profession, community and service to humanity and New Jersey community.

       Jesus In The Qur'an
Seventh Abraham’s Table Dialogue Luncheon was held at Crosswicks United Methodist Church, Crosswicks, NJ on Thursday May 22nd, 2008. IDC’s executive director Dr. Levent Koc made a presentation about Jesus in the Qur’an. Rabbi Alex Lazarus-Klein and Rev. John Wesley Morrison responded. Despite some differences in the Holy Books, many commonalities was mentioned about Jesus such us chastity of His mother Mary, His miraculous birth, His miracles, submission of His disciples, etc.

       The Artistic Expression of Prayer
Sixth Abraham’s Table Dialogue Luncheon in NJ was held at Princeton Seminary, on Thursday May 8th, 2008. Speakers discussed from various their points of view The Artistic Expression of Prayer in Abrahamic Religions.

       5th Anniversary and Newark Office Grand Opening
We celebrated IDC’s 5th Anniversary and Newark Office Grand Opening with our friends on Sunday May 4 at 3:00 pm. Many friends, including those who attended the trips to Turkey, were together with us on this happy day.

       Top 10 Priorities of State Police
4th IDC Luncheon Forum was be held on Thursday May 1, 2008 at IDC’s Newark office. Colonel Rick Fuentes, State Police Superintendent, made a speech about top priorities of state police. He gave many examples during his speech. He invited community representatives for a visit to ROIC with community members.

       Top Five Priorities of Law Enforcement in NJ
Third IDC Luncheon Forum was held on Monday April 14, 2008 at IDC’s Newark office. Hon. Christopher Christie, US Attorney, made a speech about Top Five Priorities of Law Enforcement in NJ.

       Corporate Tax Credits for Private School Scholarships
Second IDC Luncheon Forum was held on Wednesday April 9, 2008 in IDC’s Newark office. Guest speaker, Sen. Raymond Lesniak, made a speech about Corporate Tax Credits for Private School Scholarships.

       Jihad for Peace
Fifth Abraham’s Table Dialogue Luncheon in NJ was held at Centenary College, Hackettstown on Wednesday April 2nd, 2008. Speakers discussed from various their points of view Jihad for Peace or, in other words, inner struggle. They gave many examples from history.

       Interfaith Marriage and Family Life
Third Abraham’s Table Dialogue Luncheon in NY was held on Tuesday April 1st, 2008 at the Turkish Cultural Center. Speakers discussed “Interfaith Marriage and Family Life” from various perspectives.

       Noah's Pudding at Reformed Church, New Brunswick
IDC Central Jersey group visited the First Reformed Church, New Brunswick. IDC members served Noah’s Pudding to the congregants. It was a friendly gathering that helped both sides to get to know each other more.

       100 Years of FBI
First IDC Luncheon Forum was held on Thursday March 13, 2008 in IDC’s Newark office. This was the first event in our Newark office. Mr. Weysan Dun, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Newark Division delivered a speech about 100 years of FBI as FBI is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

       Spirituality and Popular Culture
Fourth Abraham’s Table Dialogue Luncheon in NJ was held at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Neptune on Tuesday March 11th, 2008. Speakers discussed from various angles Spirituality and Popular Culture like what is popular culture, whether it affects religious life and spiritually negatively.

       Compassionate Pastoral Ministry
Third Abraham’s Table Dialogue Luncheon in NJ was held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 113 Engle Street, Englewood, New Jersey 07631 on Wednesday March 5th, 2008.

       Faith and Ecology
Second Abraham’s Table Dialogue Luncheon in NY was held on Tuesday March 4th, 2008 at the Turkish Cultural Center. Speakers discussed “Faith and Ecology” from religious perspective.

       Skeletons in the Closet: Religious History We'd Rather Forget but Need to Remember
Second Abraham’s Table Dialogue Luncheon in NJ was held at Interweave Center at Calvary Episcopal Church at 31 Woodland Ave. Summit, NJ 07901 on Wednesday February 27th, 2008. The theme was Skeletons in the Closet: Religious History We'd Rather Forget but Need to Remember.

       Martyrdom vs. Terrorism
First Abraham's Table Dialogue Luncheon in NY was held on Feb 5th at the Turkish Cultural Center. Speakers discussed "Martyrdom vs. Terrorism", which attracted a good number of audience.

       Ashura Program at Temple B'nai Or
Temple B’nai Or invited IDC for Noah’s Pudding (Ashura) program. Around 80 7th to 10th grade students attended the program. Program included tasting of Noah’s pudding followed by a presentation by two young volunteers of IDC, Semra Kurucan and Nuriye Aksoy.

       Let's Share... Join us on this blessed tradition.
As another traditional interfaith event that IDC has organized is coming closer, we are so happy to observe the deepened friendship and cooperation between the Muslims, Christians and Jews. We will act together again to celebrate the landing of the Noah’s ark and the deliverance of Moses and his people from Red Sea by distributing Noah’s Pudding for free.

       Intercultural Trip to Turkey - Jan 3-13 2008
IDC’s most recent intercultural-interfaith trip to Turkey took place between Jan 3rd and 13th, 2008. 11 Members of Co-Existence House of Rutgers University and two professors attended the trip. The group had opportunity to see historical sites as well as get to know the Turkish culture very closely.

       Intercultural Trip to Turkey - Nov 30-Dec 9 2007
IDC’s most recent intercultural-interfaith trip to Turkey took place between Nov 30th and Dec 9th, 2007. The group had opportunity to see historical sites as well as get to know the Turkish culture very closely. In addition to visiting religiously important sites like Hagia Sophia, Ephesus, House of Virgin Mary, underground city and carved chapels in Cappadocia, the group attended a whirling dervishes ceremony and enjoyed dinners with local families.

       Conference on Love of God
Interfaith Dialog Center is organizing in cooperation with School of Theology, Drew University, Institute of Judaeo-Christian Studies, Seton Hall University and Center for Interreligious Understanding a conference on “Love of God”. The one-day long conference will be held on Oct. 29, 2007