Jay Speights, D.Min. is the Director of The New Seminary in New York, the oldest Interfaith Seminary in the world, where he earned the degree of Doctor of Ministry. He holds a BA in Political Science and an MA in Public Affairs, both from Howard University. Jay also studied Ecumenism at Wesley Theological Seminary. His Interfaith approach has led him to continuously search for common universal truths about God, creation, and existence. He believes we must always strive to attune to our Higher Self, which is achieved through the disciplines of prayer, meditation, daily spiritual practice, and writing. Jay is writing his third book, #IAM: Finding The Faith and Culture of My Ancestors, about the joys and tension over his discovery that he is related to a royal family in Benin, West Africa, formerly The Dahomey Empire. 

 A pastor, author, chaplain, storyteller, and spiritual Coach, Jay Speights also developed a unique coaching approach combining select meditative, prayer, and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) techniques. He gleaned his techniques from thirty-five years of training in martial arts, meditation, NLP, and as a chaplain. His approach will help put you on the path to excellence, your higher self, and maintaining balance throughout your day.

 He has coached athletes, clergy, corporate executives, and medical professionals. If asked, he will tell you that he is most proud of his work using his meditative techniques with those facing illness and death as a Chaplain at The Washington Hospital Center. Jay is the author of two books about meditation and using spiritual resources. Harmonious Day was released in 2007, and his second book, 7 Days With Adam, was released in 2013.

 In 2013, he assisted with the production of “Chavez,” a biopic about the leader and organizer of The National Farm Workers Union. Now he is the Organizing Producer of "Hamer", another biopic about the iconic civil rights leader, Fannie Lou Hamer.

Dr. Jay, as his students affectionately call him, urges you to take a quantum leap into the mystery of creation and connect with your Divine Enabling Light. He lives in the DC Metro Area, is married to Damaris Lopez, and has two grown daughters and grandchildren.

 Email:  jayspeights@triumphant.today

Ibrahim Anli currently serves as the Executive Director of the Rumi Forum in Washington DC, a center created to nourish and promote interfaith dialogue and engagement among all religions. Ibrahim is a civic entrepreneur with a career record that bridges nonprofit and academic experience. He also undertakes various voluntary roles at Braver Angels and Journalist and Writers Federation (JWF). 

A Muslim, born in Turkey, Ibrahim became a visiting researcher at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 2007-08. He joined the Journalists and Writers Foundation’s (JWF) Ankara office as the diplomacy coordinator in 2010 and in 2013 became the secretary general of Abant Platform, JWF’s Istanbul based forum of intellectuals. Ibrahim was a lecturer and acting chair at the department of International Relations and Diplomacy at Tishk International University in Erbil, Turkey, in 2016-17.

Ibrahim writes opinions in his independent blog, and has published peer reviewed book chapters and articles. He holds a BA in Economics from Istanbul University, an MA in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from Sabanci University, and a certificate in Strategic Management for Leaders of NGOs from Harvard University. 

Ibrahim currently lives in Fairfax, VA with his wife Pinar and their daughter Bahar.

Email:  i.anli@rumiforum.org

Ruth Broyde Sharone, Moderator has been honored internationally for her passionate interfaith activism and leadership, Ruth Broyde Sharone is often described as a “Renaissance woman.” A filmmaker, journalist and author, Ruth is also the creator of "INTERFAITH: The Musical."  She wrote the music and lyrics for 22 songs released in two albums, the first in 2015, the second in 2022 and is now preparing to mount the musical on the theatrical stage.

As a Jewish interfaith activist, Ruth pioneered ground-breaking interfaith pilgrimages to the Middle East in the 90s creating a unique program called “Festival of Freedom” in collaboration with an African-American woman pastor.  Participants from diverse religious backgrounds  were invited to retrace the steps of Exodus, from Egypt thru the Sinai Desert and then to Jerusalem where they celebrated Passover and Easter together with Israelis, Palestinians and people from around the world.

Ruth co-founded and then served as Co-Chair of the Southern California Parliament of the World's Religions (SCCPWR) for 10 years. Her documentary, “God and Allah Need to Talk”, and her interfaith memoir, Minefields & Miracles, have both received multiple awards. She contributed more than 50 articles to the online magazine, The Interfaith Observer, and co-authored the 2018 Amazon best-seller, 21^st Century Voices: Women Who Influence, Inspire, and Make a Difference.

In recognition of her significant contributions to bridge-building, Ruth was inducted into the Martin Luther King Advisory Board of Morehouse College in 2013 and in 2015 she received a special commendation for her Interfaith Leadership from Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.

(Songs from the musical are available for purchase on CDs or can be downloaded from   www.interfaiththemusical.com )    

Email:  rabsharone@gmail.com