Cranston's Rabbi Jeff Goldwasser to Speak at Rally 'Fighting Poverty with Faith'

CRANSTON, RI—Religious leaders and supporters will march on the Statehouse on Jan. 4 to stand up for Rhode Island's neediest residents. They'll hold a vigil to ask lawmakers to make 2017 a year that makes a difference by working to solve homelessness and other social justice issues.

Cranston's Rabbi Jeff Goldwasser, of Temple Sinai, will deliver the keynote address. He'll be joined by Rev. John Kiley, of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, and Mufti Ikram ul Haq, of Masjid Al-Islam, North Smithfield, who will say opening words of prayer and welcome.

Gov. Gina Raimondo and other political leaders are scheduled to speak also.

The rally starts at 2:30 p.m. at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (across from the Providence Place Mall). The march steps off from 15 Hayes St. and goes to the Statehouse for a vigil, starting at 3 p.m., in the Rotunda.

Here are the specifics from the RI Interfaith Coalition and the RI Coalition for the Homeless.

"More than 60 clergy and hundreds of lay people will be gathering at the RI State House for the Fighting Poverty with Faith Vigil. Rabbi Jeff Goldwasser (Temple Sinai, Cranston) will be delivering the keynote, with Music will be led by Rev. Dr. Tom Wiles (American Baptist Churches of RI), Bishop Herson Gonzalez (Calvary Worship Center, Woonsocket) and Rev. Nikita McCalister (Bethany Baptist Church, Pawtucket).

"The RI Interfaith Coalition, whose mission is to fight poverty with faith, was formed in 2008 as part of a national movement. The Coalition believes that as people of faith they are called upon to hold their communities and themselves accountable to the moral standards of justice and compassion that are central to religious traditions.