As Americans approach the tenth anniversary of a tragedy which many across the globe are still mourning, some will choose to mark the days surrounding the event quietly while others will actively reclaim the anniversary date by worshipping or working together to make real their shared hope for a better world.
The following are just a few of the ways in which spiritual people across the Bay Area will demonstrate for the world that, regardless of our differences, it is possible for all of us to treat each other with respect, kindness, and compassion.
9/11 Blood Drives: Many will be giving blood in honor of those who died on September 11th. Just two of the events scheduled throughout the month of September will be held at:
- Baetul Baseer Mosque: September 4th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on behalf of the Ahamadiyya Muslim Community. All members of the public are welcome, and are asked to schedule an appointment. Location: 926 Evans Road, Milpitas, CA.
- Congregation Beth David: September 12th from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. All members of the public are welcome, and are asked to schedule an appointment. Location: Synagogue social hall, 19700 Prospect Road, Saratoga, CA.
9/11 Commemoration: This September 7th interfaith event will memorialize the victims of September 11th and all who died trying to save them. Sponsored by ING (the Islamic Networks Group) in partnership with the Jewish Community Relations Council of Silicon Valley, the South Bay Jewish Community Center, the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Jose, and the Silicon Valley Interreligious Council. The program will be presented from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., and will open with Love Hate Love, a documentary which chronicles three families whose lives were torn apart by terrorism. Location: McAfee Performing Arts and Lecture Center, Saratoga High School, 2030 Herriman Avenue, Saratoga, CA.
9/11 Tenth Anniversary Concert: The San Francisco City Chorus will sponsor a performance by combined San Francisco and East Bay choral ensembles, church choirs, and instrumentalists (organ, brass, and percussion). Verdi’s Requiem will begin at 3:00 p.m. Cost: $10 suggested donation. All proceeds will benefit the Families of 9/11, a non-profit organization with no political or religious affiliations which assists families in dealing with the trauma from September 11th. To purchase tickets, call: (510) 848-3696. Location: First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way, Berkeley, CA.
Contemplative Service for Peace: Sponsored by the Marin Interfaith Council, this service will be open to all who wish to remember those who died ten years ago and who also desire to work toward achieving greater compassion and peace for our world, regardless of their spiritual or other beliefs. Presented on September 11th from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., the service will include periods of silence, specially selected music, and readings from sacred texts of the world’s religions. Location: Community Congregational Church of Tiburon, 145 Rock Hill Drive, Tiburon, CA. RSVP to: programs@marinifc.org.
Global Sing for Peace: During worship services at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on September 11th, the LOPC Chancel Choir will participate in this Lincoln Center Distinguished Concert Series initiative, which calls for choirs around the world to perform choral music specially written to commemorate the anniversary of September 11th. Come listen to this call for peace by East Bay voices united in song. Location: Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette, CA.
HandsOn Bay Area 9/11 Tribute – Restore a Habitat with Save the Bay: From 9:00 a.m. to noon on September 11th, help clear the shorelines of the San Francisquito Creek (Palo Alto Baylands) of invasive species and inspire hope by helping local wildlife to thrive.
HandsOn Bay Area 9/11 Tribute to Harbor House: From 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on September 11th, make life better for parents and kids who have so very little by sprucing up hallways, shared living areas, and kitchens (which haven’t been painted in 10 years), or help with resurfacing the playground at this Salvation Army family shelter in San Francisco, CA.
Karma Moffett – The Tibetan Bell Experience: Bay Area residents, regardless of their spiritual or other beliefs, are invited to join in this labyrinth walk for peace from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. to commemorate the 10th anniversary of September 11th. Suggested donation: $15-$30. Fairfax Community Church, 2398 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Fairfax, CA. For more information, please visit: www.fairfaxcommunitychurch.net, or www.karmamoffett.com.
Light the Night for Peace and Friendship: Sponsored by the Silicon Valley Interreligious Council and American Muslim Voice, this program from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. will include prayers for peace, presentations by a spiritually diverse range of speakers, time for reflection, and the sharing of stories by interested attendees to promote healing, followed by a sunset Muslim prayer. Location: Muslim Community Association, 3003 Scott, Boulevard, Santa Clara, CA. For details, contact Samina Sundas: saminasundas@gmail.com/
Memorial Stair Climb: Firefighters, law enforcement and military personnel, and civilians from San Francisco and beyond will honor those who lost their lives on September 11th by climbing the 48 floors of the Transamerica Pyramid building in San Francisco twice (equal to the 96 floors climbed by firefighters in 2011) in the largest West Coast event of its kind. Cost: $25; additional donations welcome. All proceeds will benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
Pathways to Peace: This interfaith gathering will include music, prayers, and a candlelight vigil. Location: Jewish Community Center of Palo Alto, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto, CA.
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