Rumi Forum works towards strengthening the culture of peace, religious pluralism, and social harmony among faith communities and individuals of diverse beliefs, ethnicities, and backgrounds. The Forum strives to achieve this goal by building, informing, and mobilizing an active interfaith dialogue community.

A traditional component of Rumi Forum’s endeavor is recognizing the lifetime dedication of inspirational public figures who have championed its cause. The Rumi Forum Dialogue Award honors successful practitioners with outstanding track records in interfaith engagement, community service, human rights, and education.

Thank you for joining us and many distinguished guests as we reconnected and renewed our commitment to interfaith work!

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2022 Rumi Forum Dialogue Award Honoree

Rev. Mansfield “Kasey” Kaseman

Interfaith Community Leader

Pastor Emeritus, Rockville United Church

Rev. Mansfield “Kasey” Kaseman is the former Interfaith Community Liaison for the Office of Community Partnerships in Montgomery County, Maryland. Since his student days, he has been engaged in ecumenical and interfaith ministries to create “a beloved community.” His engagement in the Civil Rights Movement included providing security for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and helping to implement “Racial Justice Now.”

Award presented by

Josephine Garnem

Executive Director, Healey International Relief Foundation

Josephine Garnem is the Executive Director of the Healey International Relief Foundation. Previously, she served as the Program Manager for Montgomery County Government’s Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center and the Director of Montgomery Moving Forward, Nonprofit Montgomery’s collective impact initiative. She founded, and until recently led, the Khalil Garnem Foundation, dedicated to promoting equitable health care, education, and economic development in Sierra Leone. There, she leads volunteer diaspora medical, surgical, and training initiatives. She comes from the international non-profit sector and has served as the Strategic Outreach and Partnership Coordinator. Her passion is strengthening community links through partnerships to improve their health and well-being.

MC of the Night

Noa Baum

Speaker, Storyteller, Author & Coach

Born and raised in Jerusalem, Noa offers a unique approach to storytelling in communities and organizations. Since 1982, she has inspired and educated audiences of all ages with her performances, keynotes, and workshops. Her one-woman show for adults, A Land Twice Promised, received a grant from the National Storytelling Network. She has received several Individual Artist Awards from the Maryland State Arts Council and the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County, Maryland. Noa’s recently published book, A Land Twice Promised – An Israeli Woman’s Quest for Peace, won the Anne Izard Storytellers’ Choice Award. With her storytelling, Noa captures the drama of a nation at war and her discovery of humanity in the enemy.