FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2015
Contact:  Scott Salotto (845) 638-5645

ROCKLAND COUNTY EXECUTIVE DAY ANNOUNCES INTERFAITH SUMMIT

NEW CITY, NY -- Rockland County Executive Ed Day today announced the convening of an interfaith summit on religious diversity to promote greater understanding and develop a local response to the rise of tensions and anti-Semitism in the county.  The roundtable gathering of the Rockland's top Jewish, Christian and Muslim faith leaders will begin the process of improving communication between diverse cultures and deepening community relationships based on trust, tolerance and shared goals.

The enlightening conversation will be co-facilitated by three of New York's most prominent and influential religious leaders: Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, Executive Vice President, New York Board of Rabbis; Rev. Michael A. Walrond, Jr., Senior Pastor of the historic First Corinthian Baptist Church in Harlem; and Bishop Dominick J. Lagonegro, Episcopal Vicar of Northern Vicariates, Catholic Archdiocese of New York.

"By working to identify both common ground and important differences in our multifaceted population, we will improve the quality of life for all 320,000 residents of Rockland County," said County Executive Day.  "I look forward to a candid, honest and sensitive interchange of ideas and beliefs."

The meeting will call for continued positive dialogue, including broadening participation and understanding through worship services, faith-based workshops and community discussions on critical issues facing all local communities.

The summit is scheduled for Wednesday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at SUNY Rockland Community College in Suffern, New York.  Leaders will gather inside Daniel T. Brucker Hall.

The meeting is closed press.  Media availability to immediately follow.