Religion

SURPRISE DONATION – Franklin Food Bank executive director Derek Smith, left, hugs Township Councilman Alex Kharazi after Kharazi announced a $5,000 donation to the food bank from the Masjid-e-Ali on Cedar Grove Avenue. Franklin Food Bank executive director Derek Smith walked into the October 28 Township Council meeting prepared to tell members about the dire situation many township residents face …

NEW PARISH LEADER – The Rev. Tom Lanza greets St. Matthias parishioners after his installation ceremony on October 12. The Catholic Community of St. Matthias’ faithful filled the pews October 12 for the Rite of Installation of its new parish priest, The Rev. Thomas Lanza. Lanza succeeds The Rev. Abraham Orapankal, who served as the parish priest since 2018. A …

PROTESTING THE PRELATES – A group of Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA congregants yell at a van carrying two church prelates as it drives away following a Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting on September 18. Chaos erupted after the September 18 Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting when members of the Ukrainian community chased two top prelates of the Ukrainian …

PRAYERS FOR THE COUNTRY – The Rev. Sonya Redd reads a prayer during the Franklin Township Interfaith Coalition’s observance of the National Day of Prayer May 1 in Veterans Memorial Park. Members of Franklin Township’s faith-based community gathered at Veterans Memorial Park on DeMott Lane on May 1 for the annual observance of the National Day of Prayer. The observance …

VISITING MAYOR – Newark Mayor Ras Baraka speaks during the annual Interfaith Iftar held March 16 at Masjid-e-Ali on Cedar Grove Lane. Speeches, charitable donations and, of course, food, were featured at the annual Interfaith Iftar held at the Masjid-e-Ali mosque on Cedar Grove Lane. An Iftar meal is eaten at dusk by Muslims observing the holy month of Ramadan. …

ISRAELI ART – Some of the pieces offered for sale at the Israeli Art show held at Temple Beth El on Hamilton Street. More than two dozen Israeli artisans are being hosted by Temple Beth El on Hamilton Street in a two-day art festival. The works displayed and for sale by the 27 artists run the gamut from jewellery to …

SINGING FOR RAMADAN – Members of the Little Nasheeds Girls of New Jersey sing during the annual Ramadan Lighting Ceremony held February 23 at the Township Senior/Community Center. The Township’s fifth annual observance of the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan was held on February 23 at the Franklin Township Senior/Community Center. The highlight of the observance was …

ISLAMIC HERITAGE DISPLAYED – Samina Sattar, Amir Muhammad, and Sara Kharazi-Didehvar, left to right, at the Muslim Heritage Month exhibit January 12 at the Franklin Township Library. The contribution of Muslims to American culture was the focus of a exhibition held January 12 at the Franklin Township Library’s main branch on DeMott Lane. The displays, which lined the library’s Community …

RECOUNTING FAMILY HORRORS – Board of Education member Sami Shaban speaks to the crowd about the many members of his family who were killed in Gaza since the 1940s. Colonial Park’s Knob Hill Pavilion was the scene October 27 of a gathering showcasing Palestinian culture. Called “Connect with Palestine,” organizers designed the event to highlight the art, culture and heritage …

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION – Pastor Rodney Staton speaks to the congregation during the Faith Temple anniversary celebration. The congregation of Faith Temple gathered at their home at Temple Beth El on Hamilton Street on October 27 to celebrate a milestone: the church’s 43rd anniversary. Founded in February 1981 by the late Elder Horace Staton and his wife, Pastor Lydia Staton, as …