MEETING TIME TBD. Sign up here.

Are you interested in exploring questions about social justice from Hindu perspectives? Would you like to discover what resources Hindu traditions offer for thinking about oppression and liberation? Do you want to learn more about different ways Hindus have struggled against injustice and advocated for peace in the past?

Sadhana is launching a monthly reading group to explore these questions through the lens of liberation theology. This reading group is for Hindu youth and adults (16+) who are interested in learning more about Hinduism and liberation theology. You do not need to be an expert - we welcome people who are just learning about this topic!

Liberation theology urges us to think about individual liberation in relationship to social liberation. Different liberation theologies have developed in Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and other religions - but all fundamentally agree that we have a spiritual commitment to uplift the poor and the oppressed. This reading group will explore what liberation theology looks like in theory and practice for Hindus today.

If you’re interested, sign up here!

Join the Caribbean Equality Project on Wednesday, March 31 at 6:30 pm for “Phagwah Feminism: Honoring our Ancestors through Activism” - a virtual forum celebrating Women’s History Month and beyond, through gender-justice, feminism, and migration perspectives. The program will feature historical reflections, cultural performances, storytelling and will conclude with an intergenerational panel discussion on LGBTQ+ and women’s safety in Phagwah spaces in New York City. Our panelists will share how their activism challenges conservative norms associated with Phagwah celebrations and their work to create more affirming spaces and cultural experiences for immigrant women, LGBTQ+, and gender-expansive people.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Phagwah festivities have been reimagined in virtual spaces. We invite you to be part of this unique manifestation of Phagwah/Holi- one centered on feminism, LGBTQ+ inclusivity, love, and cultural preservation.

Date: Wednesday, March 31 at 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Facebook LIVE at @CaribbeanEqualityProject

Host and Moderator: Andrea Nandoo, Volunteer Content Creator & Activist, Caribbean Equality Project

Esteemed Panelists:
Esther John Ramdeen, Icon and Singer
Aminta Kilawan-Narine, Founder and Director, South Queens Women’s March
Pratima K. Doobay, Hindu Priestess and Activist, Shridevi Arts
Sundari, The Indian Goddess, Drag Centric-Activist
Anusuya Singh, NYC Co-Chair, Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus

Cultural Performances by Esther John Ramdeen, Kajol Ji, Pratima K. Doobay, Sundari - The Indian Goddess, United Madrassi Association, Taranng Dance Troupe, and Natraj Center for Performing Arts.

Join Sadhana executive board member Dr. Gautham Reddy in conversation with Professor Audrey Truschke on teaching Hinduism and Hindu students in American university settings. Register here.

What are the different ways Hinduism is taught on college campuses today? How do teachers create supportive learning environments for diverse students, including Hindus? Join us in exploring these topics and more. We will begin with a discussion between our two speakers, followed by a Q+A session with Prof. Truschke.

On Saturday, March 20th, from 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM EST, we'll be celebrating Holi with Columbia University’s Hindu Students Organization! They will be teaching bhajans, facilitating crafts, and telling stories in commemoration of this beautiful festival. At the conclusion of the program, kids will have the opportunity to present what they have learned with their group and will receive a certificate from Columbia HSO.

This program is appropriate for families with children aged 6 to 12. Sign up here!

Come celebrate Maha Shivaratri with Sadhana's New York City chapter and join us for prayers, kirtan, readings, and meditation!

Note: Maha Shivaratri is an especially auspicious time to meditate, and we will have 15 minutes of silent meditation. If you show up and find everyone silent, do join us and observe silence as well. Make yourself comfortable on a cushion or in a chair in your home. You’ll hear the sound of a Tibetan Bowl once the meditation is over.

All are welcome! Please register here.

Sadhana cofounder Sunita Viswanath was part of the Poor People's Campaign’s Moral Monday rally for International Women’s Day, calling for $15 minimum wage for all workers in the United States. Watch a recording of the rally here.

Sadhana was a co-sponsor for this virtual Multifaith Candidate Forum for Manhattan District Attorney. For anyone unable to watch the live event, here is the recording.

Sadhana cofounder Sunita Viswanath was honored to be a speaker, along with faith leader sisters Dr. Debbie Almontaser, Rev Chloe Breyer and Rabbi Ellen Lippmann, in a session on "Women's Stronger Voices in Religion," as part of Quest, a City University of New York (CUNY) program for retirees.

Sadhana board member Tahil Sharma spoke on a panel titled "Calling Out Racism in Our Traditions and Communities," hosted by the University of Southern California's Office of Religious and Spiritual Life.

Reposting this powerful caption from our friends at the Caribbean Equality Project:

WE STAND WITH YOU 🇹🇹: HAPPENING TODAY AT 5 PM IN RICHMOND HILL, QUEENS

Sadhana’s NYC Co-Chair Anusuya Singh will be sharing a message at this vigil organized by our partners at the United Madrassi Association Inc. "Brothers Reach Out Support Group" (BRO) for a solidarity action focused on ending gender-based violence in Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹 and the Caribbean diaspora.

We will stand in international solidarity to mourn the murders of #AndreaBharatt and #AshantiRiley- two young women whose short-lived lives, potentials and possibilities were taken from this world. We will demand accountability and justice from the government to take action through policy reforms to protect all women and girls across the gender spectrum, including trans and gender-expansive people in TNT. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

We are co-sponsoring this action and vigil together with South Queens Women's March, Jahajee Sisters: Empowering Indo-Caribbean Women, Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus, The Shakti Mission, Trinidad and Tobagonians USA, and the Richmond Hill-S Ozone Park Lions Club.

Masks are required! COVID-19 protocols will be followed.

We are thrilled to partner with South Queens Women’s March for this celebration of love and healthy communication with those we love. Bring your romantic partner, sibling, best friend or anyone you love! Thanks to this era of zoom gatherings, your partner can be in the same location as you or across the planet.

**Space is limited, so please register soon!**

A workshop done in pairs of two people to celebrate love between friends, siblings and partners, while teaching the art of active listening. Bring a candle/diya, wine/champagne/tea/seltzer, and a chocolate/ cookie/ treat!

To register, visit tinyurl.com/SQWMSadhanaLoves

Facilitators:
Aminta Kilawan-Narine, Founder, South Queens Women's March
Sunita Viswanath, Co-Founder, Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus

Banada Ashtami, also known as Shakambari Navratri, is a festival dedicated to the Goddess in the form of Shakambari: the Nourisher, and the Bearer of life-giving fruits and vegetables.

In honor of this day, we are organizing a Food Pantry in Ozone Park, NY on January 30th, at the Shri Shakti Mariamma Temple. Please share the word!

Ozone Park has been drastically affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, and many residents have been left food-insecure as a result. Culturally-responsive groceries, menstrual hygiene products, and PPE will be given out to community members.

We are grateful to our partners: The Campaign Against Hunger, South Queens Women's March, Shri Shakti Mariammaa Temple, and United Madrassi Association Inc. for helping us put this together!

Our online kids classes are starting this Saturday!

Sadhana Kids Samudaya is a new, online, progressive Hindu religious education program for kids ages 6 to 12. We will be offering all the classes virtually via Zoom in order to welcome kids from all over.

There is no cost for participation. We are thankful for any voluntary donations from parents and community members to sponsor these classes. We can’t wait to have fun and learn about Hinduism together!

We begin with a Meet and Greet on January 9th at 12:30 PM EST (9:30 AM PST) and will continue biweekly, beginning with a celebration of Bhumi Devi. The classes will be for one hour.

Learn more and sign up today!

Given the events today in Washington, DC, we are wanted to create a space for our Sadhana community to gather together, pray for peace, and share reflections. Please join us TONIGHT from 8:00-8:45 pm ET on Zoom for a Prayer for Peace!

Sadhana's Pandita-in-Residence, Pratima Doobay, will open with a short grounding exercise and prayer for peace, and Sadhana board member Hari Venkatachalam will lead a short guided meditation. Afterwards, we will have time for open sharing and reflection. We hope you can join us! All are welcome.

You can join the meeting through the link in the image or in our bio. If needed, the meeting ID is "860 3324 2024," and the password is 942386.

Aum Shanti, Shanti, Shanti. Aum Peace, Peace, Peace.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86033242024?pwd=TS93V0IxNnRzcGlvbVBIeS9lejNhQT09

We're excited to share that Sadhana board member Tahil Sharma will be speaking this Friday at a webinar on Social Justice and Spirituality, organized by the North American Hindu Chaplains Association.

Tickets are $10, sign up here.

Sadhana is proud to co-sponsor this event to address the food crisis in our communities.

Sadhana cofounder Sunita will be sharing a prayer at Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams' Annual Interfaith (Virtual) Gathering, "The Role of Faith During A Pandemic and the Changing Political Landscape," Wednesday Dec 2nd at 10 am ET. All are welcome.

We joined the NYC Comptroller’s Office along with other local community organizations like the United Madrassi Association, Chhaya CDC, Caribbean Equality Project, and South Queens Women’s March to distribute PPE and sweets at the “Masks and Mithai” event in South Richmond Hill. Sadhana was happy to offer the diyas that we included in each of the bags - Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya, from darkness lead us to light!

We are excited to offer one more SUPER FUN Diwali event just for our youngest friends, for whom this year of covid has been so challenging and confusing. Hope your kids can join our cofounders Aminta-Kilawan Narine, Rohan Narine and Sunita Viswanath for a half hour of Diwali fun on Friday afternoon. Please bring a candle and some art supplies.

Sadhana Satsanghs are our monthly inclusive, egalitarian and earth-honoring worship gatherings. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we have been performing biweekly e-Satsanghs on Thursdays via Zoom.

Join us for a Satsangh to celebrate the Hindu and Sikh festivals of Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas as we renew our commitments to justice and freedom.

We will be hearing from two wonderful speakers: Harmeet Kaur Kamboj and Tahil Sharma.

Tahil Sharma is an interfaith activist based in Los Angeles who was born to a Hindu father and a Sikh mother. Following the Oak Creek, WI shooting of a Sikh temple in 2012, Tahil became involved in efforts for interfaith literacy and social justice and has been doing this work professionally for the past seven years. Tahil serves as one of three Interfaith Ministers in Residence for the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles and he is a board member of Sadhana.

Harmeet Kaur Kamboj is a Sikh American interfaith activist, writer, educator, and alum of the Interfaith Youth Core. They hold an M.A. in Interreligious Engagement from Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York. Harmeet’s scholarship centers the experiences of marginalized communities of faith in the United States and the ways that these communities organize politically.

We hope you can join us!

Join us on Thursday, November 5 for our annual Interfaith Diwali Celebration -- this year, to be held virtually! Featuring dance, music, prayer, and more 🪔

We gather to observe Diwali, the festival of lights, to pray for the end of COVID-19, and an end to financial hardship, hunger, and hate during this pandemic.

Deepa Jyoti Namostute: We salute the Light, we invite the Light, we ARE the light that will drown the darkness all around.

We are glad to be partnering with Brooklyn Borough Hall, the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, NYC Commission on Human Rights, and the Bhakti Center! This event is being co-sponsored by the Caribbean Equality Project, Muslims for Progressive Values, and South Queens Women’s March.

More information at tinyurl.com/NYCDiwaliFBPage

Pandit Raja Gopal Bhattar of Sadhana’s Spiritual Council, Sadhana Advisory Board member Dr. Anantanand Rambachan, and Dr. Rambachan’s wife Geeta Rambachan shared prayers at the Poor People's Campaign Election Day Rally.

Watch a video recording here.

Sadhana cofounder Sunita Viswanath was honored to be the guest speaker at today's worship service at the Unitarian Society of Germantown. Sunita shared the story of Rama Setu for the younger congregants and her main talk was entitled "Dussehra: The Battle Between Good and Evil is Within Us."

Sadhana cofounder Sunita Viswanath represented us at Religions for Peace USA's gathering, National Gathering of Religious Leaders: Uplifting Moral Voices for Immigration and Refugees - Faith in Action.

Sadhana is a proud member of RFP-USA. The beautiful event was recorded and can be viewed here.

We invite you to join Sadhana and our interfaith & community partners tomorrow in Iselin, NJ as we protest against caste-based sexual violence and demand justice for the Dalit family affected by the Hathras rape incident in Uttar Pradesh, India.

We ask that all attendees practice social distancing and wear a mask.

Join us on Saturday, September 26th at 1:00PM for our 2020 Queens Gets Counted Rally and Outreach Event!⁣

Now more than ever, it is vitally important that our communities have proper representation in the government.⁣

The event will include onsite census completion, voter registration, giveaways, PPE and more!⁣

This event is organized by Caribbean Equality Project and South Queens Women’s March in partnership with the Queens Museum, NYC Census 2020, U.S. Census Bureau, Councilmember Adrienne Adams Office and our community partners: Chhaya Community Development Corporation, United Madrassi Association⁣, Jahajee Sisters: Empowering Indo-Caribbean Women, and Kaurageous Love. Sadhana is also a co-sponsor of this event.

Our co-founder Aminta Kilawan Narine , who led Sadhana’s green initiative Project Prithvi for several years, is speaking at this interactive town hall on Wednesday night at 7PM ET! We will share the livestream on our Facebook page. Please tune in and ask any questions you might have! Aminta will be joined by Pandit Mohan Narine of the Shri Trimurti Bhavan Mandir in Ozone Park, Queens, NY and by our partner at Gateway National Recreation Area, Rick Jenkins!

Sadhana Satsanghs are our monthly inclusive, egalitarian and earth-honoring worship gatherings. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we have been performing biweekly e-Satsanghs on Thursdays via Zoom.

Join us for a Satsangh following Labor Day where we will be reflecting on worker’s rights, economic justice, and caste abolition, and why we as Hindus should be committed to these progressive causes.

We will begin by hearing from Nafisah Ula, the organizing director for the national office of Jobs With Justice. Now based in Portland, OR, she has been an organizer and campaigner since she was a teenager in Laramie, WY. Nafisah has worked with the domestic and international trade union movement since 2009. She’s hopped all over the country for the AFL-CIO’s Center for Strategic Research, built campaigns with SEIU, and supported working people who provide behavioral health and head start services in Oregon join together with AFSCME. In recent years, Nafisah aided members of the National Guestworker Alliance and the New Orleans Worker Center for Racial Justice in experimenting with new models of building their power.

We will then hear from Dr. Balmurli Natrajan, professor of anthropology at William Patterson University in New Jersey. Dr. Natrajan will be speaking on "Caste, Labor, and Progressive Hindus." When we think of worker's rights, we must also keep caste in mind — since, as Dr. BR Ambedkar said, caste is not just a division of labor, but a division of laborers. In particular, the Cisco caste discrimination case has highlighted that casteism is a workers’ rights issue in the US. If we as Hindus are committed to worker’s rights and economic justice, we must also be committed to dismantling caste in the US and abroad.

We hope you can join us!

Let's #GetCountedNYC! Join Sadhana co-founder Aminta Kilawan-Narine at 7 pm ET as she cohosts Census An’ Chill, a virtual 2020 Census Caribbean-centered event and the premiere of the historic Caribbeans Count video. We are so excited to be collaborating with our partners at the Caribbean Equality Project for this event and we hope you can join us!