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Now is the time to take a stand against hate.

​The We Are All Staten Island Fellowship Against Hate (WAASIFAH) is a cohort-based initiative dedicated to combating the rise of hate in our communities. Organized by the Joan and Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island in partnership with the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of New York, the Mayor’s Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes (as part of the PATH-Forward initiative), the Council of Jewish Organizations (COJO), and other Staten Island community-based organizations*, this fellowship is an opportunity for those looking to an even greater positive impact on Staten Island.

Why Apply?
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This fellowship is an opportunity for those seeking to expand their community relationships and gain the skills needed to make meaningful and lasting change. We invite mid to senior-level leaders from Staten Island's nonprofit, faith-based, or government organizations. Ideal candidates are community members dedicated to combating hate, bias, and discrimination.

 The program's topics include:
 ● Learning from diverse community experiences of hate and oppression.
● Unpacking unconscious bias.
● Developing personal storytelling skills.
● Having difficult conversations.
● Conflict resolution strategies.
● Coalition building.

Sessions will feature speakers, workshops, and site visits, supplemented by an overnight trip to Washington D.C., which will include museum visits, and additional bonding and learning opportunities. To foster a deeper appreciation for Staten Island's diversity, each session will be held in a different community-based location.
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Fellows will be eligible to apply for seed grant funding to develop programming that promotes meaningful community engagement.

Important Dates
Six sessions will take place on Wednesdays from January 21, 2026, through May 27, 2026. Each session will run from 9 AM to 2 PM.
Dates are subject to change:
● Session 1: January 21st
● Session 2: February 11th
● Session 3: February 25th
● Session 4: March 25th
● Session 5: April 29th
● Session 6: May 27th
● Washington, DC Trip: TBD
● Graduation: June 10th

​Application Timeline:
● Applications Open: Sunday, November 2, 2025
● Applications Close: Monday, December 29, 2025
● Rolling Interviews: January 5-7, 2026
● Official acceptance: Friday, January 9, 2026
For any questions, please contact Kevin Peters at [email protected] or 718-508-3898.

Apply now!

Our Partners

-SI Immigrants Council
-SI Pride Center
-Catholic Charities of SI
-St. Joseph and St. Mary Immaculate
-Our Lady of Mt. Carmel St. Benedicta
-Albanian Islamic Cultural Center
-Wagner College Holocaust Center
-El Centro
-Council of Jewish Organizations
-SI Inter-Religious Leadership
-SI Hindu Temple
-First Central Baptist Church of SI
-Project Hospitality
-Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island