Eid Mubarak from Cordoba House Staff and Community Members!
VIEW AS NEWSLETTERA Multigenerational Iftar!
On Saturday May 11, 2019, the dynamic Parent Association of Cordoba House Sunday School organized a memorable multigenerational iftar event with an inspiring adult program, unique activities for children and teens, and a silent auction and bazaar with calligraphy, jewelry, Islamic books and unique Islamic toys.

The Executive Director, Naz Ahmed Georgas, opened the evening by inviting the audience to reflect upon the true meaning of success from a Quranic point of view. She shared that while a majority of people define a successful life in terms of material well-being and social status, in the Quran, Allah defines success not in material but in spiritual terms, citing the verse, “successful are the ones who purifies themselves.” The goal of the education at Cordoba House Sunday School is to find innovative and experiential methods to encourage students to find spiritual purpose and the responsibilities of leading a God-centered life. Naz attributed the success of the school to the devoted parent community for their active role throughout the year in building the program.

Asim Rehman, President of the Cordoba House Parent Association, underscored the point by stating, “the school is more than just a school, it is a community and a place for all to play a role.” He also commented on the unique, inclusive nature of the program which was reflected during the iftar designed with a special focus on children and families. Sherafghan Mehboob, a parent and officer of the school’s finance committee, presented the multicultural and pluralistic vision of the program and invited all new families to join the school and to be part of the community and the building of the institution.
Hoda Atut, co-chair of the event planning committee,addressed the audience and shared that what attracted their family to the Cordoba House Sunday School was, “the unique and professionally managed program, its diverse community, and its socially relevant curriculum.”
While the adults were engaged in the program, children took part in a dry ice science experiment with a visiting scientist! They also created and decorated colorful paper lanterns, made their own unique tasbeehs composed of beads and patterns of their own choosing, and created beautiful Mother’s Day cards.

After iftar, the Bazaar opened to all guests who experienced a snapshot of local businesses. Demerara Delights, a local Guyanese bakery, shared homemade fudge and pineapple tarts, and Whymsical Wijabz shared their hijab line decorated with art inspired from the Surahs of the Quran and designed especially for young girls. Reina Scheiber Loeis, a Cordoba House Sunday School mother, also displayed her beautiful handmade Eid cards and money envelopes and water color calligraphy of the 99 names of Allah. The Bazaar even contained a silent auction where guests could bid on different Islamic Art pieces and Moroccan home decor!

The evening ended with an array of amazing selections of international desserts prepared by parents representing the diversity of the families in Sunday School. The desserts included Chendol from Indonesia, date and walnut gourmet ice cream, and the centerpiece of the dessert table, a hand baked star and moon shaped cake by Rabiha Sami, a parent, cake artist and baker in NYC!

We would like to extend a special thank you to all of our guests for joining us in this warm and wonderful iftar and a thank you to all of our amazing parents, particularly Rosalia Golan and Suraya Khan, for making the evening as successful as it was!
We wish everyone a meaningful and prayerful last few days of Ramadan!
VIEW AS NEWSLETTERRamadan Mubarak from Cordoba House!
“Every act of worship performed by a believer is done for himself, except for fasting, which is an act of worship performed solely for My sake.” (Hadith of Prophet Muhammad)
Wishing you a joyful and prayerful month of Ramadan!
Join Cordoba House for Our Ramadan Family Iftar!

Together with Our Jewish Community: The Ties That Bind
Dear Friends,
For the past five years we have been engaging friends and partners in the interfaith community to work to build stronger educational programs. We have worked together to develop networks, exchange best practices in curriculum development, teacher and leadership training and come together in joint and meaningful cultural and educational programs.
But yesterday morning, as our team of educators, staff, parents and children walked into Sunday School, we did not expect to see Jewish lay leaders under the leadership of Rabbi Joshua Stanton of the East End Templeawaiting to welcome us at the entrance with tears, love, support and a signed poster filled with words of sympathy and show of solidarity from the recent events in New Zealand.

This was followed by my dear friend Tehilah Eisenstadt, Director of Education and Engagement at SAJ (Judaism Stands for All) together with a social worker and trauma expert from the Jewish community who addressed a spontaneous turnout out from Cordoba House Sunday School Parent Association. The trauma expert briefed parents on how to speak to children and youth and support them as they witness the unfolding of the recent tragic events in New Zealand. Best practices were exchanged as questions and discussions highlighted the dire need of professional and emotional guidance provided by her expertise and other experts in the room. Age appropriate educational templates of grief management were also disseminated (contact me for more information).
I am deeply grateful to our jewish friends for demonstrating that the ties that bind us together go beyond the exchange of niceties andto that which transforms the hearts and minds of individuals bringing new solutions to the society we are all responsible for shaping together.

Thank you to Rabbi Josh (as he is affectionally known by our community members), Tehililah and to all our friends and experts who have sacrificed their Sunday to organize and embrace our school community with their much needed light!
I pray that our One and Compassionate God bless our collective efforts as we strive together to build better stronger and a more holistic civilization based on our shared beliefs best practices and most cherished values – inshallah!
With Warm Salams,
Naz Georgas
For more information about the Cordoba House Sunday School Program, please contact Naz Georgas, Executive Director, at naz@cordobahouse.com.
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