FACT SHEET
WHAT IS THE TRI-FAITH INITIATIVE?
• The Tri-Faith Initiative of Omaha:
• Includes members of the three Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity, Islam)
• Is committed to planning an interfaith center which will facilitate learning and respect
from intentionally collaborative efforts
• Has a vision to build bridges of respect, acceptance and trust, to challenge stereotypes - to
learn from each other and to counter the influence of fear and misunderstanding
• Is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in 2006
• Is a globally unique project that deliberately co-locates a synagogue, church and mosque
with a common desire to foster mutual understanding, respect and friendship
IS THE TRI-FAITH INITIATIVE LOCALLY-BASED AND FUNDED?
• Temple Israel is a local Reform Jewish congregation founded in 1871
• The Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska, the original Christian partner, is a 146-year-old
organization of 53 churches located throughout Nebraska. While part of the larger Episcopal
Church, the Diocese is based in Nebraska and funded by Nebraska congregants and donors
• Countryside Community Church United Church of Christ is a local congregation formed in
1949. On April 12, 2015, the congregation voted to become the Christian presence of the TriFaith Initiative and move from its current facility to the Tri-Faith campus
• The American Muslim Institute (AMI) is a local, autonomous nonprofit organization that is
not governed, financially supported or sponsored by international organizations; all funds
raised for AMI (formerly known as the American Institute of Islamic Studies and Culture) have
come from local philanthropists and from within the local Muslim community
• 99% of all funds raised for the Tri-Faith Initiative have come from local philanthropists and
from within the Omaha community, and contrary to misleading assertions saying otherwise,
there has been absolutely no “foreign influence” of any kind whatsoever.
• The Tri-Faith Initiative is governed by a local board of directors consisting of representatives
from each faith partner and three additional community representatives. The board is
comprised entirely of Omaha area leaders with long track records of participation in other
community activities
WHO ARE THE TRI-FAITH INITIATIVE’S PARTNERS?
• Three partners in the Tri-Faith Initiative will form the Tri-Faith neighborhood:
• Temple Israel | templeisraelomaha.com
• Founded in 1871 and serves Omaha’s Reform Jewish community
• Nearly 750 families belong to the congregation, which strives to bridge tradition and
modernity linking the community’s rich history with fresh approaches to spirituality,
lifelong Jewish learning and acts of justice
• Dedicated its new synagogue on the Tri-Faith campus in October 2013
• The Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska (episcopal-ne.org) is the original Christian partner
for the Tri-Faith Initiative and purchased a parcel of land at the site; has agreed to sell its
land on the campus to Countryside Community Church
• Currently continues to participate in the Tri-Faith Initiative through a presence on the
board of directors and remains fully committed to supporting the project
• Countryside Community Church (UCC) | countrysideucc.org
• Voted on April 12, 2015 to become the Christian partner in the Tri-Faith Initiative and
will relocate its church to the Tri-Faith campus.
• Strives to be an open and affirming community with all people treated as creations
made in God’s very image, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender
identity or expression, age, physical or mental ability, nationality, or economic class
• American Muslim Institute (AMI) | americanmusliminstitute.org
• Founded in 2006 (formerly known as the American Institute of Islamic Studies & Culture)
• Local, autonomous nonprofit organization and new community of Muslims in Omaha
• Operates with the goal to promote a better understanding of Islam in the Western
world both within the Muslim and non-Muslim community, and also promote study
and research focusing on the history and the rich cultural diversity of the Muslim
population of the world
• Facility to be built on the Tri-Faith campus will also serve as a worship space and a
community center for Omaha’s growing Muslim population
• Dedicated to the true nature of Islam and wants to create an institution affirming to the
core values of Islam: Acceptance, Compassion, Equality, Justice and Peace
• Non-denominational and welcomes all Muslims without holding one school of thought
higher than the other
• Fourth campus building will be a Tri-Faith Center
• Social, educational and conference facilities
• Local, regional, national and even international interactions, study and communication
• The Tri-Faith Initiative and three religious groups each purchased their own parcel of land in
2011 at the Sterling Ridge Development located at 132nd and Pacific Streets in west Omaha
WHAT IS THE TIMELINE FOR COMPLETION?
• Temple Israel completed construction of its new synagogue in 2013
• The land transfer from the Episcopal Diocese to Countryside Community Church will take
place in the near future timeline for construction of the church will be announced after
design plans are finalized
• AMI has secured funding for the construction of a mosque and will begin construction in the
fall of 2015
• Construction of Tri-Faith Center is anticipated to begin in early 2016 with the campus
completed in 2017
• Tri-Faith is already sponsoring activities including a speakers bureau, a children’s
program, shared holidays between congregations, an annual picnic and others
The Tri-Faith Initiative, Inc. P.O. Box 31344 Omaha, NE 68131
E: [email protected] P: 402.934.2955 W: trifaith.org