Religious Freedom: An Interfaith Discussion
On July 26, 2026, the Washington D.C. Temple Visitors’ Center and Interfaith Works partnered to host an interfaith panel discussion on religious freedom, bringing together leaders from diverse faith traditions to explore both the blessings and the ongoing challenges of the free exercise of religion in the United States.
The speakers included Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky, IFC Board President and Director of Intergroup Relations / Rabbi in Residence, Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, Father Don Rooney, IFC Board Member and St. Bernadette Catholic Church and School, Reverend Roslyn Roberts, African Methodist Episcopal Church and Director of Faith and Community Partnerships, Interfaith Works, and Chaplain Fatimah Popal, Director of MakeSpace.
The conversation was moderated by Gene Schaerr, a partner at Schaerr Jaffe and adjunct professor at BYU Law School. Schaerr opened the discussion by tracing the historical roots of religious liberty to the Maryland Toleration Act of 1649, enacted in nearby St. Mary’s City. This Act marked one of the earliest legal protections for religious tolerance among Christians in North America and is the first known
use of the phrase “free exercise” of religion.
The panelists spoke to both historical and contemporary examples of persecution and protection, noting that while First Amendment safeguards have expanded opportunities for people of faith to worship freely, challenges still remain. Among those challenges included increased concerns around safety and security while living their faith. There was also an emphasis placed on the power of recognizing each others’ stories and experiences and a reminder that preserving religious freedom requires continued cooperation, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to protecting the rights of every faith community.(L-R): Father Don Rooney, Reverend Roslyn Roberts, Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky, Chaplain Fatimah Popal, and Gene Schaerr |
