Noah’s Pudding Interfaith Event at the Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church
2019-02-19 00:00 - 23:59 (America/Denver)
A delightful Noah’s Pudding Interfaith event was held at the Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Kearns on February, 14th. Catholic Interfaith Services coordinator Janet Healy introduced Emerald Hills Institute(EHI) and its volunteers to around thirty Catholic women. EHI outreach coordinator Zeynep Kariparduc and Nurgul Malik talked about activities, Noah’s Pudding story and its meaning and some of the Islamic traditions during Q&A session. It has been a joyous Valentine Day evening filled with new friendships, love, laughter.

Emerald Hills Institute At Interfaith Musical Tribute
2019-03-18 01:00 - 2019-03-19 00:59
Choirs, dancers and drummers representing many global faiths performed in the Tabernacle on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Sunday, March 17, 2019. The “Sacred Music Evening” was organized by the Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable and hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
For more information, please visit https://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/interfaith-musical-tribute-2019-tabernacle

Passover and Ramadan food while learning more about them!
2019-03-27 01:00 - 2019-03-28 00:59
This page has been updated with the after-event media.
A rabbi once told me that it was a descendant of Ishmael who welcomed Joseph and his family (descendants of Isaac) into Egypt, and the families remained allies and companions until a different dynasty took over. “So from the beginning, our cultures – Jews and Muslims – have actually been friends.” Kol Ami congregation hosted an evening celebrating the traditions of Ramadan and Passover. Zeynep Kariparduc, Outreach Coordinator for Emerald Hills Institute in Salt Lake, spoke about Ramadan, and Kol Ami Cantor Wendy Bat-Sarah spoke about Passover. Both shared the history of their holiday, how important the holidays are in their faith celebrations, and how millions of families around the world celebrate these traditions.
In a world where the news tells us that Children of the Book (the religions founded on Biblical tradition – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) can never get along, it was wonderful to learn about these two holidays and their respective faiths. There are many differences, of course, and there are also many happy parallels. Ramadan is a time to reflect on the countless blessings we receive, many times without us even asking for them, taught Ms. Kariparduc.
An entire month of fasting during daylight hours, the hunger and discomfort reminds families of the people around the world who face such trials constantly – and it reminds us to be grateful for what we have. Families and friends come together in the evenings to celebrate, and the month is a period of time dedicated to personal development and giving to others. Passover is a time to reflect on coming out of bondage, specifically being rescued from the tyranny of Egypt as shared in Exodus, as Cantor Bat-Sarah explained, but also helps us be thankful for every time we emerge from hardship and trying circumstances. Families and friends are drawn together as they celebrate the holiday, and children learn about their culture’s history through story and song.
“With so many restrictions on food during the holiday” one person explained, “families had to be very inventive coming up with recipes which everyone could enjoy.” Several traditional recipes were shared and sampled (the gefilte fish was a lot better than expected, by the way), and everyone really enjoyed themselves. It was terrific seeing people from so many different backgrounds and faiths getting along so wonderfully well.

Current Affairs Between India & Pakistan: Need for Dialogue - A lecture and book signing event
2019-04-05 01:00 - 2019-04-06 00:59

Abstract Watercolor Painting Techniques
2019-04-19 01:00 - 2019-04-20 00:59
Watercolor painting is a distinctive medium, straddling the worlds of painting and drawing to create a unique art form. Paints are made of pigments suspended in a water-soluble medium and can be applied to everything from paper to canvas, and from wood to fabrics. What makes watercolor painting so unique is its unforgiving nature;lines, colors, and forms must be applied perfectly the first time around, as an attempt to paint over simply renders the entire effect muddied.
Emerald Hills Institute held this unique art class taught by East High School art teacher Jennifer McCoy. While learning abstract art techniques , attendees created new conversations and made new friends.

Emerald Hills Institute Annual Interfaith Iftar Dinner of 2019
2019-05-16 01:00 - 2019-05-17 00:59
On May 16th, Emerald Hills Institute hosted a community Iftar for friends and their families, open to our neighbors from all walks of life. Our keynote speakers were Emma Houston from the Salt Lake Mayor’s office, and Father Elias of the Greek Orthodox community. Emma Houston is Salt Lake County’s Director of Diversity and Inclusion. She is an experienced community volunteer, and spends her time teaching people how to bring out the best of what makes each of us unique. Father Elias Koucos, shepherd of the Greek Orthodox community in Salt Lake and a founding member and past chair of the Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable, spoke about gratitude and peace-building in community.
Although they did not plan it, these two speakers shared beautiful messages of hope and inspiration which perfectly complimented each other – Director Houston’s from a practical and secular viewpoint, and Father Elias’ from a vantage-point of faith. It was striking how each gave examples of the ways everyone, regardless of background or beliefs, can apply Ramadan principles of compassion and gratitude to build their own network of peace. A short video explaining Ramadan was shown – this was particularly helpful for a number of attendees not necessarily familiar with this particular holiday, but excited to celebrate with their Muslim friends. Ramadan is a 29 to 30 day celebration of the revelation of the Qur’an to the Prophet Mohammad, when faithful Muslims around the world fast during the daylight hours and enjoy the company of family and friends during the night.

The fasting helps us to be extra mindful of the blessings we may take for granted every other time of the year, and also helps us to focus our hearts on those around the world who may not be experiencing our same good fortune. This is a time of charity and sharing with everyone painfully familiar with the pangs of hunger, as well as a personal dedication to do what we can to make the world a friendlier place for everyone. The food was wonderful, the conversation was happy and energetic, and it was exciting to see so many people make new friends! At each table strangers quickly went from being awkwardly polite to sharing their favorite jokes, and mutual kindness paved the way towards newfound respect.
As always, the Emerald Hills kitchen team did an amazing job – the traditional Turkish flavors disappeared very, very quickly, and everyone came away with full bellies and contented spirits.
Original Page
As we reached our maximum capacity for this event, we cannot accept any more RVSPs to this event. Please accept our apologies and stay tuned with more upcoming events by following our website and social media profiles.

Stuff the Bus
2019-08-10 01:00 - 2019-08-11 00:59
565 volunteers who donated supplies, stuffed backpacks, created bookmarks, and more at the United Way of Salt Lake stuff the bus event. While Emerald Hills Institute partnered during school supply drive Talk in Action volunteers joined to the volunteering event.

Raised 118,569 individual school supplies with 55 supply drives that impacted more than 12,300 students
Stuffed 5,300 backpacks to give to 20 elementary schools and organizations

Emerald Hills Institute Grand Opening Dinner
2019-08-12 01:00 - 2019-08-13 00:59
August 12, 2019 marked the Grand Opening of the new home of Emerald Hills Institute with the 4th annual Encouraging Women in Our Society Awards. The Honorable Cherie Wood, Mayor of South Salt Lake, and Karen Hale of Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson’s office, were in attendance, along with many other luminaries including Emma Houston and Pamela Atkinson. The two MC’s, (Venezualian and Bosnian), were enthusiastic and kept the energy going all evening.
The annual Encouraging Women in Our Society Awards is a program initiated by Emerald Hills Institute to recognize the truly remarkable women who make the Utah community remarkable. This year’s recipients were Josie Stone, Chair of the Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable, Dr. Katherine St. John, President of the Utah Chapter of the UN, and Kimberly Ishoy, a triathlon athlete and interfaith advocate in Daybreak.
Each of these women contribute profoundly to the strength of their own communities, as well as Utah as a whole. Tirelessly volunteering in addition to full time careers, they have raised the bar for what it means to contribute to society, and are inspirations to countless young women who will be the leaders of tomorrow.
The remarkable Pamela Atkinson, advocate and friend to our homeless friends of Utah, spoke to the importance of organizations like Emerald Hills Institute and the Awards. “Community is made up of two words, ‘commune’ and ‘unity’. As we seek to understand each other through sincere, heartfelt communication, we build our togetherness as a community.” She pointed to the members of the gathering, a rich tapestry drawn from every segment of Utah’s diverse population. “Differences of color, language, and religion are never a barrier to true friendship” she pointed out, but when these differences come together they give us the opportunity to strengthen our society.
Emerald Hills Institute is built on the premise that service united in a worthwhile cause is the best way to build a better future, and the Encouraging Women in Our Society Awards is one of the very best ways to empower neighbors and young people in making that better future a reality.
It was a wonderful event, a terrific dinner, and a great way to introduce the new Emerald Hills Institute location.

EHI volunteer Hulya Kablan teaches Water Marbling at the Art Express
2019-08-13 01:00 - 2019-08-14 00:59
The 2019 conference hosted three keynote speakers—Katie Dawson, Antonio Sacre, and Mickey Rowe—and more than fifty breakout sessions with topics ranging from Japanese Bunraku puppetry to Turkish marble painting. This year’s conference focused on creating inclusive environments for those with culturally diverse backgrounds and disabilities as well as helping students express themselves through storytelling and theater.

Teachers explored artistic voice by actively participating in sessions, dancing like clouds, constructing masks inspired by ancient works, or creating Turkish marble paintings. “I think that is the best way to learn, to get up and actually experience something in practice,” said keynote speaker Katie Dawson. “If we are trying to transform the way teachers teach and learn in the arts, we need to be in a place like [Arts Express] where we are actually doing that work, feeling it in our bodies, ideating with each other, and asking critical questions.” Please visit https://education.byu.edu/news/arts-express-inspires-teachers-to-integrate-global-art-forms-in-classroom-lessons to learn more.

UVU Interfaith Club Visit and Service Project
2019-08-14 01:00 - 2019-08-15 00:59
The Utah Valley University Interfaith Student Council kicked off their year with a retreat in Salt Lake City visiting with eight different worldview leaders and houses of worship. The retreat included partnering on the third day with Emerald Hills Institute to serves meals at the Women’s and Children’s Center in Murray. There they put the value of service to those in need into action. They followed the service project with a visit and tour of Emerald Hills Institute where conversations and Islam, and the call to acts of service filled the air.

Health and Wellness Series - Yoga Class
2019-08-29 01:00 - 2019-08-30 00:59
Yoga classes under Emerald Hills Institute Health and Wellness series is being held on Thursdays on a weekly basis. While increasing their inner peace and wellness, participants made new friends.

Women's Interfaith Gatherings
2019-09-07 01:00 - 2019-09-08 00:59

Being Benevolent Seminar
2019-09-07 01:00 - 2019-09-08 00:59
On Saturday, September 7, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm the Emerald Hills Institute hosted our Women’s Interfaith Gathering. Zeynep Kariparduc was our host and taught us about the purpose of the Emerald Hills Institute – a place that focuses on inclusion, love and dialogue to grow together as friends.
Kimberly Giles, a life coach, founder of ClarityPoint International and 12 SHAPES inc, and named one of America’s Top 20 advice gurus in 2010 by Good Morning America, with over 450 articles published in newspapers and magazines across the world, and a member of the exclusive Forbes Coaches Council, taught us to understand ourselves and others around us in a new, inclusive, honoring, and welcoming way.

Some tips from Kimberly Gile’s presentation –
· It is hard to have safe relationships if you subconsciously see everyone outside your groups as worse than, bad, or wrong.
· How do you have safer, less threatening relationships with people who have different religious beliefs? The answer lies in removing fear and focusing on love.
· The faith a person believes in is what feels like truth to them – learn from each other. Focus on what unites us.
· Differences are powerful teachers to show us the limits of our love. Each experience is a classroom for learning, valuing and loving each other.
· Don’t judge or label – see each person as an individual not a member of a group.
· Each person is unique, just like a diamond is unique. The more unique the diamond, the more valuable it is. We need to value people in this way.

· Human value is unchangeable, infinite, priceless, and absolute – You are always good enough and have the same value as everyone else.
25 people attended including Emma E Houston, over Diversity and Inclusion from the Salt Lake City Mayor’s office, and Wendy Stovall of the Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable attended.
We had a great time talking, learning, getting to know each other, and eating delicious treats brought by attendees and the Emerald Hills Institute.
Kimberly Gile’s articles come out every Monday and can be found on KSL.com and at CoachKimGiles.com. She also has 2 podcasts — Help On The Way Christian podcast and Explain People a 12 Shapes production. Her books can be found on Amazon.com: The People Guidebook for Great Relationships: The 12 Shape System and Choosing Clarity: The Path to Fearlessness.

A Muslim Story Telling Event
2019-09-18 01:00 - 2019-09-19 00:59

Women's Self Defense Workshop
2019-10-26 01:00 - 2019-10-27 00:59

A new workshop series: A nine week stained glass (Ottoman Era Vitray) Workshop Series.
2019-11-01 01:00 - 2019-11-02 00:59
Emerald Hills Institute is pleased to invite you to our brand new workshop series: A nine week stained glass (Ottoman Era Vitray) Workshop Series.
Please check out the event flier below to learn more about this intriguing workshop that is coming soon.
If you are interested, please register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stained-glass-workshop-series-tickets-65733509697.
If you have any questions, we are more than happy to answer them. Please contact us at info@emeraldhillsinstitute.org.

Thanksgiving Service Project
2019-11-21 00:00 - 23:59

Cooking Class
2019-12-14 00:00 - 23:59

Turkish Ebru (Water Marbling Art) Workshop
2020-01-20 00:00 - 23:59
You are invited to join Turkish Water Marbling Art Workshop
Ebru is a traditional Turkish paper marbling art that has been considered as one of the most fascinating artforms.
Learn and create colorful patterns and images by sprinkling and manipulating paints on water, then transforming them to paper.
January 24, 6-8 PM
Fee: $20
Instructor: Hulya Kablan, MS RSVP required at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/water-marbling-turkish-ebru-art-workshop-tickets-87898904991

The Sultan and The Saint Documentary Screening
2020-02-15 00:00 - 23:59
WHAT IMPACT CAN AN ENCOUNTER MAKE?
In 1219 during the raging conflict of the Crusades, the Muslim Sultan Malek al-Kamil and the Christian Francis of Assisi courageously entered into dialogue paving a path that eventually led to ending the Crusades. Their example is an invitation to join in respectful dialogue with people of different faiths and cultures.
Salt Lake Interfaith Round Table Interfaith Season EventThe Sultan and The Saint Documentary ScreeningSalt Lake City Public LibraryAuditoriumFebruary 15, 3:00-4:30 PMRSVP Required at
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-sultan-and-the-saint-documentary-screening-tickets-89507059023

International Women's Day Celebration
2020-03-05 00:00 - 23:59
Join us for our annual International Women’s Day Celebration! This will be an afternoon of delicious food from Raclette Machine, a content-rich panel of globally successful women entrepreneurs and networking with great company.
This year, we are taking the event to new heights by featuring stories, interactive exhibits on what women bring to the table and a diverse market with vendors.
Join us for… A Tea Ceremony Story Wall w/ Women Owned Business Stories Mediterranean Pastries Turkish Art Women-Owned Vendors Flowers and more!
The event is co-hosted by the Women’s Business Center of Utah and the World Trade Center Utah in partnership with the Emerald Hills Institute.
Date and Time Thursday Mar 5, 2020 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM MST
Location Ember SLC 623 State St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Fees/Admission FREE, reservation is required Website WBCUtah.org
Contact Information
Teresa Bagdasarova
Send Email

International Women's Day Event Highlights
2020-03-05 00:00 - 23:59
“Celebrating the economic and social contributions of women on a global scale, the Women’s Business Center of Utah and World Trade Center Utah (WTC Utah), in partnership with the Emerald Hills Institute, hosted their annual International Women’s Day Celebration on March 5. The event’s theme, “What Women Bring to Our Community,” highlighted successes and obstacles Utah women have experienced while growing their businesses both locally and internationally. ” Read more on utahpolicy.com

Emerald Hills Institute takes part in Stitching Hearts Worldwide
2020-07-18 01:00 - 2020-07-19 00:59
This week we are spotlighting our incredible friend from Turkey, Zeynep Kariparduc. Zeynep centers her entire life and career around serving others. Through her nonprofit organization, Emerald Hills Institute, she has been able to improve her own community and provide others with resources to do the same. With that, she has sponsored Stitching Hearts for a number of years and has lovingly worked with us on a variety of projects.
For example, we sent quilts and other needed materials to Turkey where much of her family still lives. When Project Protect began a few months ago, Zeynep jumped right in to help sewing. She even picked up masks for us and took them all the way to Wee Care Pediatrics in Ogden! Zeynep, thank you for your beautiful smile, service, and love. Keep doing incredible things!
Source: https://www.facebook.com/SHeartsW

Faith Communities Census Weekend of Action
2020-07-23 01:00 - 2020-07-24 00:59
Faith Communities Census Weekend of Action (July 24–26, 2020). This weekend is a coordinated opportunity for faith leaders to focus their outreach and support of the 2020 Census to encourage their community to respond. Click the link below for more information. shorturl.at/iIW48

Cache Refugee and Immigrant Connection School Drive
2020-07-25 01:00 - 2020-07-26 00:59
Cache Refugee and Immigrant Connection(CRIC) has launched a school supply drive to help kids who are most needed. Emerald Hills Institute (501c3) is helping CRIC collecting donations in Salt Lake area as well. We will collect donations by 8/2 and happy to take all donations Logan next week. You can email via info@emeraldhillsinstitute for drop off information. You can also donate via Venmo @donate2ehi so that we can buy the necessary supplies for you and deliver CRIC’s drop off location. Many thanks to all Emerald Hills Institute volunteers who donated for CRIC’s Back to School drive. Together, we donated 12 backpacks, 24 masks and some backpack item kits to students for the upcoming year!

Happy Eid! 200 Pound Meat Donations For Refugee Families
2020-07-31 01:00 - 2020-08-01 00:59
Happy Eid! We would like to thank Randy Edwards Williams and Halima Ali from Cache Refugee and Immigrant Connection for their timely collaboration. Muslims carry on the tradition by making animal sacrifices to share with family&friends and to feed poor. This is how the festive season of the Eid al-Adha is celebrated! #refugeesarewelcome

Day of Community Service
2021-10-29 09:00 - 18:00
This Friday, join Emerald Hills Institute and TreeUtah for a day of community service!
We will be planting trees at the SLC Cemetary from 9am to 4pm.
Please register in advance.

Know Your Rights: Stopped by Police, with Dr. Jason Twede
2021-11-04 20:00 - 21:00
We are pleased to present a virtual lecture, Know Your Rights: Stopped by Police, with Dr. Jason Twede.
Join us tomorrow night at 7:00 pm (MST) over Zoom to learn about civil rights when questioned by law enforcement.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86203626355

Paklava Sale
2021-11-30 08:00 - 17:00
#GivingTuesday Paklava Sale with Naz Foodies! Grab some fresh paklava and hummus or pre-order for your special event. Naz will be
@UtahAnimals until 4. Proceeds will help us continue to provide interfaith and intercultural programming in the Salt Lake Valley. #fundraiser #baksale

Colors of Utah: Kazakhstan
2021-12-11 13:00 - 15:00
Join us today for our Colors of Utah series featuring Kazakhstan culture. We will met at 1pm at the Holladay Library!
