(l-r) Maggie Siddiqi (Interfaith Alliance), Rabbi Or Rose, AU Student leader Taha V, University Chaplain Eric Doolittle, AU President Jonathan Alger, AU Student Leader Avery F

In response to rising antisemitism and Islamophobia in higher education and across the nation, Interfaith America has tapped Miller Center Director Rabbi Or Rose and Dr. Homayra Ziad, Director of the Hassan Institute for Interfaith Encounter at the American Islamic College, to lead a cohort of 11 universities to address religious prejudice on campus. Over the course of the 2025-26 academic year, Rabbi Rose and Dr. Ziad will work with participating institutions as they develop and implement grant-funded initiatives to address antisemitism and Islamophobia and to build bridges across deep differences on their respective campuses. Each college is represented by two to three administrators.

This cohort differs from many approaches to these topics in its adoption of pluralism as a primary framework for addressing religious prejudice and its efforts to address antisemitism and Islamophobia together, with attention to their distinctive trajectories and intersections. Last month, Rabbi Rose and Dr. Ziad facilitated an in-person convening for the cohort at the Interfaith Leadership Summit. Rabbi Or also participated in an Interfaith America-sponsored panel at American University's new student orientation, participants pictured above.

2025-26 Dignity Project Fellows and Mentors at their opening retreat

Last month, the 2025–26 Dignity Fellowship launched with a vibrant opening retreat at Rolling Ridge Retreat Center in North Andover, Massachusetts. Nineteen high school students from across Greater Boston embarked on a journey of learning, growth, and connection. Over the course of the retreat our Dignity Project Fellows built community, explored embodied practices from diverse spiritual traditions, and shared plenty of laughter and joy. We look forward to a year of interreligious dialogue, deep listening, and building bridges across lines of difference. 

2025-26 Dignity Project Fellows learned, dialogued, and socialized together at their opening retreat

Beacons of Hope: Our Interreligious S/Heroes

Each month, we honor an individual or group whose commitments align with the bridge-building efforts of the Miller Center of Hebrew College. This September, we share our gratitude temporary Miller Center administrator and Dignity Project alumna Prabhdeep Dalla (who goes by Prabh). Prabh participated in the Dignity Project Fellowship as a rising high school senior and returned to the Miller Center four yeras later for the summer before her final year of college—this time as an invaluable contributor to the center’s operations with a new, behind-the-scenes perspective on interreligious work. We sat down to discuss life as a college student, religious identity, and the impact of her experiences with the Miller Center. Read an excerpt below:

Q: To start, can you tell us a little about yourself and what you’re doing outside of the Miller Center?

Prabh: My full name is Prabhdeep, which in Sikhism means “God’s true light.” I’ve always felt that names can play an important role in shaping who we are. I’m a senior year nursing student at Salem State University. I chose nursing because I’m empathetic and caring. I want to be there for people during their most vulnerable moments. Even now, as a personal care assistant at Hebrew SeniorLife in Dedham I feel like this field is rewarding.

Prabh, Dignity Project alum & temporary Miller Center administrator

Q: What was your experience like as a Dignity Project fellow?

Prabh: At first, I was nervous to meet the other students, but over those six months I grew a lot. It shaped me into a better person and taught me humility, communication, and how to think outside the box. I haven’t seen another program like it. Being with peers from so many different backgrounds—some applying to colleges like me, others still early in high school—was truly unique. Although we all come from different backgrounds, we all had more in common than we think.

Q: Can you share a bit about your Sikh faith and how it shapes your life?

Prabh: Sikhism is a monotheistic religion that emphasizes humility, equality, honesty, and seva—selfless service. For me, I practice my religion internally. It’s about carrying those values in my heart and applying them in daily life.

The word Sikh itself means “learner.” I try to embody that by approaching life as a chance to keep learning and growing. Even small acts—like picking up something someone drops—can brighten someone’s day. You never know what another person is going through, so I try to lead with compassion.

Q: What has your experience at the Miller Center this summer taught you?

Prabh: It’s been very eye-opening. I started in July, after Liz [Aeschlimann, current Dignity Project Director] reached out, and I quickly realized how much behind-the-scenes work goes into making Miller Center programs possible—agendas, retreats, supplies, everything. Before this, most of my jobs were in grocery stores or nursing homes, so this role was completely different—but I loved it.

Q: Finally, what advice would you give to someone considering the Dignity Project Fellowship?

Prabh: Go in with an open mind. Expect the unexpected. And be ready to feel uncomfortable—in the best way. The program will challenge your thinking and push you beyond your comfort zone.

Rabbi Or Rose blesses newly ordained Rabbi Rafi Ellenson at the 2025 Hebrew College ordination ceremony

On Tisha b’Av (the Jewish fast day commemorating the destruction of the ancient Temple in Jerusalem and other national calamities), I delivered remarks through a translator to nearly 1,000 predominantly Spanish-speaking congregants at St. Lucy’s Church in Campbell, CA. I did so at the invitation of Fr. Jon Pedigo, parish priest and Executive Director of PACT: People Acting in Community Together, a local affiliate of Faith in Action. Before delivering my homily, Fr. Jon asked me why, only a month into my rabbinate, I prioritized befriending him, bringing 35 members of my synagogue to visit, and learning about his community’s struggles as immigrants in this highly charged political moment.

I responded: “On Tisha b’Av, my tradition teaches that the messiah is born. And I believe that we birth the messianic age by bearing witness to the pain of others, by committing to support them in their pursuit of justice, and by exploring our similarities and differences—religious, racial, ethnic, political, etc.—with honesty and care. Today we listen, tomorrow we act.”

This partnership with Fr. Jon is a direct outgrowth of my time as the Rabbi Neal Rose Rabbinic Fellow at the Miller Center for Interreligious Learning & Leadership of Hebrew College.

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Instructor: Rabbi Or Rose and Andrew Davis, PhD
Dates: 6 Wednesdays: 10/29, 11/5, 11/12, 11/19, 12/3 & 12/10 
Time:  4:30-6:30 pm Eastern
Location: In-person (Hebrew College)

For centuries Jews and Christians have turned to the Book of Psalms (Sefer Tehillim) in times of joy and thanksgiving, and in times of sadness and lament. The Psalms have served as a core source for individual and group prayer in both traditions. Furthermore, Jewish and Christian scholars, musicians, poets, and visual artists have created countless interpretations of these ancient texts. However, there have been far fewer opportunities for members of these two communities (and others) to explore these ancient poetic texts   as fellow spiritual seekers. What do we share in common? Where do we differ? How might reading these sources with people with different religious or ideological commitments impact our relationship with these sacred sources? This interdisciplinary course will be team-taught by a Jewish and a Catholic instructor.

Instructor: Rabbi Or Rose
Dates: 3 Thursdays: 12/4, 12/11 & 12/18
Time:  7:30-9:00 pm Eastern
Location: In-person (Hebrew College)

During the medieval period, our Jewish mystical (Kabbalistic) forebears developed a complex and highly original symbol system known as the 10 Sefirot (numbers, orbs, traits) as a way of mapping reality. Building on an array of earlier sources, they sought to help seekers orient themselves in the cosmos, developing a heightened consciousness of the unity and interconnection of all life. The Kabbalists viewed this mapping as a guide to theology, ethics, text study and more. Join us as we explore this rich symbol system, asking how this medieval innovation might be meaningful to us in our contemporary journey.

"Hidden Figures: The Sefirot Series by Harel Kedem" is on exhibit on Hebrew College's Newton Campus, Sept 11-December 19 2025