Order Your 2011 Sikh American Pocket Calendars Today!
It”s not too late to for SALDEF’s Sikh Awareness Pocket Calendars. This handy resource can be used in your local community to educate and increase awareness of Sikhs and Sikhi. The calendars feature full-color images of Sikh Americans, along with examples of core Sikh values and facts about Sikhs in the United States. On the back, the cards have a 2011 calendar in an easy-to-use design. Sikhs across the nation have distributed them at their workplace, schools, convenience stores, gas stations, taxi cabs, senior citizens centers, and public libraries.
SALDEF Trains Fire Department in Maryland
SALDEF conducted a Sikh Awareness Training last month for 50 members of the Howard CountyFire and Rescue Team in Maryland. The presentation introduced audience members to Sikh beliefs and practices and was followed by a lively question and answer session. Participants were given supplementary resources produced by SALDEF, including Who are the Sikhs brochures.
SALDEF Meets with U.S. Attorneys
SALDEF met with 23 U.S. Attorneys last month to discuss best practices for outreach to the Sikh, Arab-American, Muslim, and South Asian communities. During the meeting, which was organized by the Department of Justice, SALDEF highlighted the need for the U.S. Attorney’s to increasingly engage with the Sikh American community, especially due to the rise in hate crimes against Sikh Americans. Participants were given a copy of SALDEF’s law enforcement training video, On Common Ground.
Presentations to Youth in Texas and California
In the past month, SALDEF volunteers delivered presentations developed by SALDEF to students. In San Antonio, Texas, Juspreet Kaur gave an introduction to the Sikh faith to elementary school students. In San Joaquin, California, SALDEF Volunteer Attorney Raj Singh Badesha gave an anti-bullying presentation to 80 Sikh kids, during which bullying, peer pressure, and ignorance were discussed. If you would like similar resources and presentations to educate students in your community, please contact us at info@saldef.org.
Executive Director Position Open
SALDEF is currently seeking a highly qualified and motivated individual to fill the position of Executive Director. The successful candidate will give vision and leadership to strategic and day-to-day program implementation, as well as execute the goals and objectives of the organization. The Executive Director will be responsible for giving direction to the staff and work closely with the Board to further the mission of SALDEF. For more details, click here.
Support the Sixth River Film – Chhevan Dariya
, a film by Ish Amitoj Kaur and Noor Nissan Productions, is now available for purchase for $10. This quality film subtley examines contemporary social problems affecting Sikhs in Punjab through a compelling and engaging plot. The film effectively draws attention to issues such as female feticide, drug abuse and the drug mafia, and the alarming rate of AIDS in Punjab. The message of the story is one of optimism in that the Diaspora will revitalize Punjab as its “sixth river.” To support this endeavor and purchase your copy, please click .
Fred Korematsu Day Celebration in California
Celebrate the first Fred Korematsu Day on January 30, 2011 at UC Berkeley’s Wheeler Auditorium! The program includes keynote speaker Reverend Jesse Jackson, spoken word artist Beau Sia, as well as tributes from Karen Korematsu and California Assembly Members Warren Furutani and Marty Block. SALDEF, an organizational co-sponsor of the event, encourages Sikh Americans in California to celebrate the life and work of this civil rights activist. To learn more about this historic event, click here.