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Rabbi David Saperstein, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, and Wa’el Alzayat to Address 2023 Parliament Convening

February 3, 2023

The Parliament of the World’s Religions is honored to welcome the participation of Ambassador Rabbi David Saperstein, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, and Mr. Wa’el Alzayat as luminaries of the 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions, coming to Chicago, USA from August 14-18, 2023.

The featured luminaries at the 2023 Parliament Convening are a diverse cohort of faith, spiritual, civic, and governmental leaders answering the call to conscience. New luminaries will be announced throughout 2023, see the growing list of luminaries here!

Luminaries Answering the Call to Conscience

Ambassador Rabbi David Saperstein

Ambassador Rabbi Saperstein is Senior Advisor on Policy and Strategy to the Union for Reform Judaism, (the largest segment of American Jewry). For 40 years, he directed the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, representing the Reform Jewish Movement to the U.S. Congress and Administration. Rabbi Saperstein served as the U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom in the second term of the Obama Administration, carrying out his responsibilities as the country’s chief diplomat on religious freedom issues. In 2019-20, he served as President of Reform Jewry’s international denomination, the World Union for Progressive Judaism.

Also an attorney, Saperstein taught seminars on Church–State law and on Jewish Law for 38 years at Georgetown University Law Center and the GU’s School of Foreign Service. Currently, he is a Distinguished Fellow at Australian Catholic University.

Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton

The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton was reelected to serve a second six-year term as ELCA presiding bishop at the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Eaton is the ELCA’s fourth presiding bishop and was first elected at the 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Eaton earned a Master of Divinity degree from Harvard Divinity School and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the College of Wooster.

As chief ecumenical officer of the ELCA, she represents the church in a wide range of ecumenical and interfaith settings. She is vice president for North America on the Council of the Lutheran World Federation and serves on the governing board and development committee of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA and on the Religions for Peace USA Council of Presidents.

Mr. Wa’el Alzayat

Wa’el Alzayat is the CEO of Emgage, a national civic engagement organization for Muslim Americans. Alzayat is a seasoned diplomat who previously served with distinction at the U.S. Department of State for a decade. Among his various roles, he served as a senior policy advisor to U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power, where he advised her on issues related to the Middle East. He also served in senior roles on the Syria and Iraq files with Ambassadors Robert Ford and James Jeffrey, respectively. Mr. Alzayat was posted in Iraq twice, including as a special assistant to the Ambassador.

Mr. Alzayat is currently a non-resident fellow at the Middle East Institute and has taught a graduate course on U.S. policy toward Iraq and Syria at Georgetown University. He is a regular public speaker on issues related to U.S. politics, human rights, religious freedom, and international relations.

Answer the Call to the 2023 Parliament Convening

Join Rabbi Saperstein, Presiding Bishop Eaton, and Mr. Alzayat in answering the Convening’s call to conscience to defend freedom and human rights. Register by March 31st and save with the Advance Rate, additional savings are available for students with ID and groups.

Don’t miss what past attendees have deemed “a life-changing experience” with thousands of faith, spiritual, and civic leaders from around the world gathering in a shared mission toward justice, peace, and sustainability.