Annual Event for Interfaith Dialogue returns to American University on November 8
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Washington Theological Consortium (WTC) will host the Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, President and CEO of Interfaith Alliance, for its 2026 Tachmindji Event for Interfaith Dialogue, “Democracy as a Reality,” on Sunday, November 8, from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. in the Abramson Family Founders Room of American University’s School of International Service, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW.
The presentation continues and expands the conversation Raushenbush began at last year’s Tachmindji Event, “Faith and Courage in Authoritarian Times.” An ordained Baptist minister and longtime advocate for civil rights and religious freedom, Raushenbush leads Interfaith Alliance’s work to build a resilient, inclusive multi-faith democracy and hosts “The State of Belief,” a weekly podcast and radio show produced with Religion News Service. He previously served as senior vice president of Auburn Seminary, founding and executive editor of HuffPost Religion, and associate dean of religious life at Princeton University. He is the great-grandson of both Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis and the Social Gospel theologian Walter Rauschenbusch.
“For more than half a century, the Consortium has held that dialogue across Christian traditions and all faith traditions is valuable in-and-of-itself, and also as a democratic practice,” said the Rev. Dr. Stephen Butler Murray, Interim Executive Director of the WTC. “Democracy is not something we inherit and keep by default. Communities, including communities of faith, must practice it, defend it, and make it real in every generation. Few voices hold the prophetic and the civic together as Rev. Raushenbush does, and we are grateful to welcome him back for this crucial conversation.”
The program includes Raushenbush’s presentation, audience Q&A, and a complimentary reception. Admission is free and open to the public; RSVPs are required by 5:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, November 5, at WashTheoCon.org/democracy. Parking is available beneath the SIS building for $2 per hour.
This annual Event is made possible by a generous endowment from Diane Tachmindji for the promotion of intra- and interfaith dialogue.
Read more and RSVP for the event.
Get a printable version of this media release.
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About the Washington Theological Consortium
The Washington Theological Consortium is a community of theological schools and partners from diverse traditions that pursue ecumenical dialogue, interfaith understanding, and educational collaboration to better equip clergy and laity for the ministry of the Church in a diverse society. For more information about the Consortium visit WashTheoCon.org.
Contact: Rev. Dr. Stephen Butler Murray, Interim Executive Director, Washington Theological Consortium by email or by phone at 202-832-2675.