Marist School recently launched the Bearing Witness Institute for Interreligious and Ecumenical Dialogue, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at fostering mutual understanding, collaboration, and dialogue among diverse communities, particularly those of the Abrahamic faith traditions, including Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Founded and led by Brendan Murphy, an award-winning educator with a distinguished 30-year career at Marist, the Bearing Witness Institute reflects the school’s commitment to promoting religious solidarity and combating hate and prejudice. Beyond Marist School’s significant commitment, grants from The Marcus Foundation, the Molly Blank Fund of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, the Rosenberg Family Foundation, and The Roberts Charitable Foundation, along with generous donations from individuals, have made the establishment of the Bearing Witness Institute possible. To date, over $1 million has been raised for this important initiative.

The Bearing Witness Institute will offer a series of curated educational experiences—lectures, Holocaust education seminars, and Bearing Witness trips—designed to build and expand a vibrant, engaged community of students and adults committed to religious solidarity. Additionally, the Bearing Witness Institute will offer teacher trainings in collaboration with The Olga Lengyel Institute for Holocaust Studies and Human Rights as well as the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust and The Breman Museum. These experiences will provide participants with the knowledge and understanding necessary to oppose religious intolerance and other forms of hate while the trainings will give educators the skills and tools to help advance this important work through learning environments.

The Bearing Witness Institute also will expand the Peace by Piece initiative, created in partnership with Marist School, The Weber School, and Mohammed Schools of Atlanta to unite students from Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities in fostering friendship and understanding. The program's successful model will be replicated in schools and communities nationwide in partnership with the Ansari Institute for Global Engagement with Religion at the University of Notre Dame.

Marist School President J. D. Childs has emphasized the Bearing Witness Institute’s connection to Marist’s mission and Catholic identity, stating, “The Bearing Witness Institute promotes respect and collaboration among different faith communities. This new initiative, with Brendan Murphy’s sage leadership, will offer Marist School the opportunity to be a more compelling participant in efforts to combat prejudice through education, dialogue, and friendship. We are committed and deeply encouraged by this journey.”

The programming of the Bearing Witness Institute builds upon the success of Murphy’s “History and the Holocaust” seminar course for Marist students, which features international field trips to significant Holocaust sites in Europe, the Peace by Piece interreligious dialogue program he developed, and his lecture series on antisemitism, which has evolved through engagements across the United States.

Murphy, who has taught history at Marist since 1994, is widely recognized as a thought leader on religious solidarity and interreligious dialogue. His efforts have earned him numerous accolades, including the Outstanding Educator Award from the Anne Frank Center and the Abe Goldstein Human Relations and Unsung Hero Awards from the ADL.

“At Marist School, we believe in the power of education to transform lives and build bridges between communities,” said Brendan Murphy, inaugural director of the Bearing Witness Institute. “The launch of the Bearing Witness Institute is a significant step forward in our mission to promote understanding and peace among people of all faiths. Through this work, we aim to build a community of conscience, united by a commitment to justice and compassion.”

The Bearing Witness Institute has received substantial support, acclaim, and endorsement from foundations and individuals who have stepped forward to invest in the Institute’s important work.

We are pleased to support the work of Brendan Murphy and his team at the Bearing Witness Institute,” said Fay Twersky, president, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. “We commend Marist for its commitment to this Institute and the important role it will play in teaching a broad audience the lessons of the Holocaust and the dangers of antisemitism and other forms of religious intolerance.”

Marist School invites all interested individuals and organizations to take part in this important work of building a more just and compassionate world.

Learn more at marist.com/bearingwitness.