Pastor Annie Allen and Aaron Kleinbaum, co-leaders of The Beacon's Shine the Light group of Rutherford, NJ, present this introductory peacekeeper training for all who are engaged in (or considering joining) protests and vigils.

Learn how to project calm, model solidarity, and prepare for the unexpected. in this way, peacekeepers help our movement withstand pressure without fracturing. This makes it harder for hostile bystanders, counter demonstrators, or authoritarians to divide us, and easier for others to join us.
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Pastor: Rev. Annie Allen, MPA, M.Div, serves as Interim Pastor of the Rutherford Congregational Church UCC., Rutherford NJ. She is Adjunct Faculty at Memphis Theological Seminary, Austin Theological Seminary, Visiting Faculty at Northwind Institute/Seminary and member of the Network for Social Transformation. Her work and ministry include community development initiatives, teaching, training, group facilitation and retreats. Annie writes and performs liturgical ceremonies for each stage in the human journey.

Aaron Kleinbaum is an environmental lawyer with 40+ years of leadership committed to protection of public health, clean water and air, and advancing environmental justice. Aaron led the New Jersey Attorney General's affirmative environmental legal initiatives for the NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection. He is a member of the National Lawyers Guild Environmental Justice Committee. Aaron currently serves as a Trustee of the NJ Highlands Coalition, dedicated to protecting natural resources, and opposing conversion of Roxbury warehouse into a federal detention center.

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On January 20, 2025 at Noon, as the presidential inauguration took place, Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum launched The Beacon via Zoom with some 350 in attendance. The Beacon for Democracy helps people of all backgrounds make their voices visible, gathering with their own handmade signs and their neighbors on a public spot near their home, every Thursday for just 30 minutes, to stand for compassionate democracy and stand against cruelty, fear and despair.

To join The Beacon for Democracy's Shine the Light, find a location and local time HERE.
To start a new Shine the Light group, write to Andrea at BeaconLightForce@gmail.com.

The Beacon offers this program, open to all. Contributions, whether $1 or $1000, will support The Beacon for Democracy.

The Beacon is an affiliated program of 501c3 Union Theological Seminary, with a growing cadre of Community Partners including The Interfaith Center of NY, NY Jewish Agenda (NYJA), T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, and other like-minded faith-based and justice-driven organizations. In accordance with IRS regulations, contributions are tax deductible as no tangible goods or services are provided in exchange for your gift.

Peacekeeping: Deescalation Training

LESSONS for OUR TIME