Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia

Walking the Walk

Suburban West Network 2011-2012

The Suburban West Group is comprised of high school students from 7 congregations:  3 synagogues, 1 church, 2 mosques and 1 Baha’i community. Students from these communities gather 13 times during the school year for meaningful conversation about values and rituals of their traditions and put their values into action through environmental conservation work.  Sessions are held at each others’ communities as well as at the Lower Merion Conservancy.

Group Leader

Arin Ahlum Hanson

Student Group Leaders

Matt Siegelman

Sydney Fleekop

Service Learning Partner

Lower Merion Conservancy www.dragonfly.org

The Lower Merion Conservancy protects and enhances quality of life through preserving open space, the natural environment, and the rich history of the area. The Conservancy completes this mission by advocating for preservation of land, educating people of local history, and engaging volunteers in service learning that teaches people about important environmental issues. Specific service learning opportunities include saving streams, saving forests, and saving species.

Congregational Partners:

The Congregational Partners serve a number of functions for the group, including:

• Recruiting participating youth for the year-long program;
• Providing a mentor who accompanies the youth and offers guidance and assistance;
• Hosting at least one session and providing a tour of the worship space.

Our Congregational Partners are:

Adath Israel, Merion

Bawa Muhaiyaddeen Fellowship, Overbrook

Beth Am Israel, Penn Valley

Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, Bryn Mawr

Main Line Reform Temple, Wynnewood

New Horizons Islamic Center, Villanova

Philadelphia Baha’i Community, Wynnefield