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Interreligious Council of Southern California
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Our History

A tradition of respect, since 1969.

Individuals from various religious communities have served as a Presidents of the Interreligious Council and have dedicated their time, energy, and resources to the fulfillment of greater understanding and a commitment to honoring the sacred that exists in all of us.

Past Presidents

  1. 1969-1972Rabbi Alfred Wolf, Jewish (Co-Founder)
  2. 1973-1974Dr. Carl Segerhammar, Lutheran Church of America
  3. 1975-1976Msgr. Royale M. Vadakin, Roman Catholic Archdiocese
  4. 1977-1978Dr. Randall C. Phillips, United Methodist Church
  5. 1979-1980Rabbi Meyer Heller, Wilshire Boulevard Jewish Temple
  6. 1981-1982Rev. George Cole
  7. 1983-1984Msgr. William J. Barry, Roman Catholic Archdiocese
  8. 1985-1986Rabbi Paul Dubin, Wilshire Boulevard Jewish Temple
  9. 1987-1988Rev. Canon Harold G. Hultgren, Episcopal Diocese
  10. 1989-1990Rev. Dr. Fred Register, United Church of Christ
  11. 1991-1992Rabbi Harvey Fields, Wilshire Boulevard Jewish Temple
  12. 1993Rev. Vivian Ben Lima, Roman Catholic Archdiocese
  13. 1994-1995Dr. Maher Hathout, Islamic Center of Southern California
  14. 1996-1997Beth Chandler Paullin
  15. 1998-1999Rabbi Robert Gan, Board of Rabbis
  16. 2000NONE
  17. 2001-2004Rt. Rev. Alexei Smith, Roman Catholic Archdiocese
  18. 2005-2008Rev. Canon Dr. Gwynne Guibord, Episcopal Diocese
  19. 2009-2010Judy M. Gilliland, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
  20. 2011-2012Rt. Rev. Joseph J. Scott, Roman Catholic Archdiocese
  21. 2013Mr. Jonathan Freund, Board of Rabbis
  22. 2014-2015Randolph Dobbs, Bahá’í Center of Los Angeles
  23. 2015-2017Canon Robert Williams, Episcopal Diocese
  24. 2018–2021Deacon Danny Amos, Roman Catholic
  25. 2021–2026Swami Mahayogananda, Hindu (Vedanta)
  26. 2026–PresentCanon Robert Williams, Episcopal Diocese
  27. 2026–PresentRt. Rev. Alexei Smith, Roman Catholic Archdiocese

Watch · Video 1 of 8

The Civility Project

Nirinjan Singh Khalsa

*The Civility Project is an public service announcement from the Interreligious Council of Southern California. All rights reserved.

Video by Leslie Foster
Edited by Julia Alty
Produced by Ryan Bell*