Ruth Broyde Sharone

A self-appointed peacemaker since she was a young girl, Ruth Broyde Sharone is convinced that people—not governments—will ultimately bring about the long- awaited and eagerly hoped-for era of global peace. Her combined talents as a journalist, filmmaker, community organizer, and peace activist all converged in the spring of 1991 when she orchestrated her first interfaith Passover Seder in Los Angeles. She brought together 95 people of diverse faiths to celebrate the universal theme of freedom which later evolved into a world interfaith movement called Festival of Freedom

From that definitive moment in 1991, Ruth has not looked back, except to marvel at the variety of places her mission has taken her beyond the US: the Middle East, Latin America, Africa, Europe, and now Asia. She has created a noteworthy legacy for the interfaith movement by documenting the minefields and miracles she encountered along the way, which formed the basis for her book, Minefields and Miracles: Why God and Allah Need to Talk.

The mother of two grown children, Alexander and Leora Sharone, Ruth has not slowed her pace. Wherever she goes she uses her energy, passion, and charisma to challenge and empower people to go beyond their comfort zone in multifaith encounters. She affectionately refers to that activity as “Interfaith Pilates,” explaining, “To be an interfaith activist, you have to stretch from your core until you feel the sting. Then you know you are really doing the work.” After every keynote and interfaith conference, her parting words never vary. She always proclaims them with conviction and humor:

BE INTERFAITHFUL AND MULTIPLY!

• Award winning films:
•   God and Allah Need to Talk
•   Let the Conversation Begin
•   Of Man the Condition
• Interfaith and Leadership Awards:
•   Sparkie Catalyst Award as a “visionary and bridge builder", 2011
•   Sikh Award “for creating worldwide spiritual understanding through interfaith dialogue", 2009
•   Rodephet Shalom-- Pursuer of Peace, the first woman in the lineage of Rabbi Zalman Schacter-Shalomi to receive that award, 2006
•   Fete d’Excellence Gold Medal for “Contribution to Cultural Education”, Geneva, 2000
• Organizational leadership:
•   Southern California Committee for a Parliament of the World’s Religions, Serving as Co-Chair for four terms
• Advisory Boards:
•   Star Enrichment Program, Los Angeles
•    S.A.R.A.H. Spiritual and Religious Alliance for Hope
•   UDC, Unity and Diversity World Council
• Professional Membership:
•   National Speakers Association (NSA)
•   International Documentary Association (IDA)
•   Women Speakers Association (WSA)
•   IMPACT, Founding member (International Membership of Professional Advisors, Coaches and Trainers)