
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.
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
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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
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.)
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.
Contact Information
For general inquiries:
Rev. Mark Breese
Community Missions, Inc.
1570 Buffalo Ave, Niagara Falls, NY 14303
716-285-3403 ext. 2259
mbreese@communitymissions.org
Visit us online:
By The Numbers...
In 2023, Community Missions provided:
• 12,108 nights of shelter
• 153,023 meals
• 2,780 individuals with clothing
• 3,562 care days in Youth Services
• 43,388 care days in Recovery Services
• 72,302 care days in Housing Services
• 467 reflections & resources for Faith Development