Rabbi Alan Flam receives Heroes of Faith Award

CRANSTON – Last week, more than 310 people gathered at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet to honor Heroes of Faith. Organized by the Rhode Island State Council of Churches, the program recognizes community leaders for outstanding contributions in the interfaith community.

The Seventh Annual Heroes of Faith program honored seven individuals and one congregation. Rabbi Alan Flam received the Interfaith Award for his dedication to social justice issues including homelessness. The executive director of the Helen Hudson Foundation, Flam has served on numerous social justice boards, including The Economic Progress Institute, Rhode Island Coalition For the Homeless and the Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty with Faith.  He was a fellow at the Brown University Swearer Center before going to work for Helen Hudson, a nonprofit working to reduce poverty.

Other honorees were: the late Peggy Amatore, Michael D. Avora, Dr. Ehsun Mirza, Rev. Marie Carpenter, and Rev. Ebony Grisom. The Calvary Worship Center in Woonsocket received the Congregation Award. More than 20 people received the People of Faith Award for devotion and dedication to their congregation.

Barbara Scott, president of the R.I. State Council of Churches, welcomed everyone to the program. Mufti Ikram ul Haq of Masjid Al-Islam Mosque offered the invocation. Rev. Dr. Donald Anderson, executive minister for the council presented the awards and Pastor Chontell Nelson Washington, minister of reconciliation with the R.I. State Council of Churches and ACI chaplin, handed out the Partners in Faith Awards. The Rt. Rev. W. Nicholas Knisely, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island, provided the benediction.

MARTY COOPER is the community relations director for the Jewish Alliance.