What Do They Believe Anyway?

A Project for Enhancing Religious Literacy for Helping Professionals

▶ About This Project

"What Do They Believe Anyway?" addresses a critical gap in religious literacy for professionals in helping fields. While many professionals interact daily with individuals from diverse faith backgrounds, they often lack basic knowledge about these traditions and how they shape everyday life, decision-making, and interpersonal and community engagement.

Our initiative provides accessible education about religious practices in our local context - covering foundational beliefs and practices of each tradition alongside how faith influences daily interactions, family dynamics, and approaches to personal challenges. Through discussions with local faith leaders and practical resources, we help professionals provide more effective support to people of all backgrounds.

Learn more about the project ↓

Our Next Event - Judaism - Register Now!

Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(4:00 PM - 4:30 PM Meet The Presenters: in-person session only)
Format: In-person and online via Zoom
Location: Community Missions, Community Room, 1570 Buffalo Ave, Niagara Falls, NY 14303
Presenters: Rabbi Alex Lazarus-Klein and Rabbi Sara Rich
Admission: FREE, but pre-registration is required
Refreshments: Light refreshments will be provided

Or Scan to register

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Zoom Meeting informaiton:

Topic: "What Do They Believe Anyway?" - Judaism
Time: Jun 24, 2025 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Meeting link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84138822518
Meeting ID: 841 3882 2518
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Parking and entrance information

Download the Event Flyer

See or share the event on Facebook

Questions? Please contact:
Rev. Mark Breese: 716-285-3403 ext. 2259
mbreese@communitymissions.org

Our Speakers

Rabbi Allex Lazarus-Klein serves as the rabbi of Temple Sinai, now Congregation Shir Shalom in Williamsville. A graduate of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, he also holds both an M.A. and B.A. from the Jewish Theological Seminary, as well as a B.A. in creative writing from Columbia University. He is a member of both the Reconstructionist and Reform Rabbinical Associations. In addition to his synagogue work, he is the Rabbinic Adviser for the Buffalo Community Relations Council and a past president of the Network of Religious Communities. He has served on numerous local and national boards, including the National Federation of Just Committees and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association. Rabbi Alex is known for brining warmth, creativity, and compassion to the role of synagogue Rabbi.

Rabbi Sara Rich is Rabbi of Temple Beth Tzedek in Williamsville, NY. She earned her rabbinical ordination and a MA in Hebrew Literature from Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion, New York, a Certificate in Experiential Jewish Education from Yeshiva University, and a BA in Psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park. Rabbi Rich is a member of the Rabbinical Assembly, has served as Director of Education at Princeton University Hillel, Executive Director of Hillel of Buffalo, President of the Buffalo Board of Rabbis and Cantors, Secretary of the JCC of Greater Buffalo, and a Girl Scout Troop leader. Rabbi Rich is passionate about connecting Judaism with daily life, and answering the Torah’s call to live lives of meaning and holiness, in community with others.

Event Schedule

Inaugural Panel Discussion
April 3, 2025
✓ COMPLETED

Judaism - Next Up!
June 24, 2025
→ REGISTER NOW

Catholic Christianity
Date TBD

Hinduism
Date TBD

Islam
Date TBD

Native American Religious Traditions
Date TBD

Protestant Christianity
Date TBD

Sikhism
Date TBD

Most future events will be held online via Zoom. Sign up for our newsletter to be notified when registration opens for each event.

Completed Events

Below you will find videos and information about our completed events.

Inaugural Panel Discussion Event

Date: Thursday, April 3, 2025

▶ About Our Inaugural Event!

Community Missions of Niagara Frontier, Inc. (CMI) and Niagara University's Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Center for Race, Equity, and Mission presented the inaugural event for the "What Do They Believe Anyway?" on April 3, 2025.

The panel discussion explored why it is important for helping professionals and others to ask the question: "What Do They Believe Anyway?"

Our panel of diverse faith leaders discussed the importance of religious literacy and how understanding different faith traditions can enhance professional practice and community engagement.

Our Panelists and Moderator

Rabbi Alex Lazarus-Klein from Congregation Shir Shalom, Williamsville
Dr. Nasir Khan of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Buffalo Chapter
Beatrice Singh-Arnone as representative of the Sikh community in Niagara Falls
Rev. Raymond Allen of Bethany Missionary Baptist Church, Niagara Falls

Our Moderator was Rev. Dr. Jonathan D. Lawrence, Associate Professor of Old Testament at Canisius College.

▶ Watch The Video

Watch our inaugural panel discussion to learn about the importance of religious literacy for helping professionals. (The video is coming soon.)

Video Player Placeholder

About the Project

The "What Do They Believe Anyway?" initiative addresses a critical gap in religious literacy for professionals in helping fields. While many existing interfaith resources focus primarily on end-of-life care and crisis situations, our project explores how religious and spiritual frameworks shape everyday life and routine interactions. Gaining basic knowledge of beliefs, practices, and community perspectives and norms is the best entry point for this important area of learning.

Why Religious Literacy Matters

Religious traditions influence not just explicit beliefs but also broader worldviews that impact daily life in countless ways. For helping professionals, understanding these dynamics can be essential to providing effective, culturally sensitive support.

Many professionals interact daily with individuals from diverse faith backgrounds yet may lack accurate knowledge about these traditions and how they shape:

Daily decision-making processes
Approaches to personal challenges
Family dynamics and relationships
Views on wellness and healing
Perspectives on interpersonal and community engagement

Our goal is to create accessible, engaging resources that bridge this knowledge gap and foster greater understanding across faith traditions.

Who Should Attend?

This initiative is designed for:

Social work students and professionals
Healthcare providers
Educators and school administrators
Community organizers
Faith leaders
Public service professionals
Anyone seeking greater understanding of diverse religious traditions

Whether you're looking to enhance your professional practice or simply expand your understanding of different faith traditions in our community, these events and resources are for you.

Project Components

Public Events

In-person and online discussions featuring religious leaders who will explain basic information about their traditions, with a special focus on how these traditions shape everyday life and interactions.

Training Resources

Video Modules: Recordings of public events and interviews with faith leaders
Written Guides: Concise, reliable "cliff notes" on each religious tradition
Practical Applications: Focus on how religious literacy supports helping professionals in their daily work

All resources will be freely available online for professional development and community education.

Project Partners

Community Missions of Niagara Frontier, Inc. has been providing services and support to those in need since 1925, including crisis housing, mental health services, recovery programs, and youth services.

This project is supported by a grant from The Network of Religious Communities 2025 Riefler Fund Grant, from the Reifler Memorial Enablement Fund which is awarded through the Network of Religious Communities.