Dreams of a Visionary

A visionary named Juliet Hollister (1916-2000) foresaw a world endangered by the destructive impact of religious intolerance. Juliet recognized that interfaith understanding would be vital in the effort to create a culture of peace and advance positive social change. She dreamed of bringing together religious and spiritual leaders of diverse traditions to engage in dialogue and address problems of intolerance, injustice and religious persecution.

Temple of Understanding

Supported by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, Juliet Hollister realized her dream in 1960 and created the Temple of Understanding (TOU). Since its inception TOU has remained a leader in interfaith education, offering cross cultural and inter-religious programs and events for high school and college students, adults, seminarians, and educators. Through its programs and initiatives, TOU strives to expand public discourse on religion and spirituality and create a more just and peaceful world.

Interfaith Education

Interfaith education at the Temple of Understanding encompasses curricula and methodologies through which individuals learn about religious traditions outside of their own. TOU's innovative approach emphasizes experiential knowledge through community visits, service learning, and immersion experiences. Participants gain a deeper understanding of their own traditions and acquire methods for positively addressing problems of intolerance, injustice and religious persecution in the workplace, school and community.

United Nations NGO Status

After founding the Temple of Understanding, Juliet Hollister secured an affiliation with the United Nations. TOU is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. The Temple of Understanding supports the aims, principles and activities of the United Nations by participating in world summit meetings, sponsoring programs for NGOs, and joining committees and coalitions of NGOs with similar values.

Juliet Hollister Awards

Juliet Hollister Awards are given to religious figures who integrate interfaith values into their place of worship and secular figures who promote greater understanding of spiritual values in areas such as the arts, education, government, science, law and the environment. Past awardees include such luminaries as His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama, Her Majesty Queen Noor, Daniel Pearl, Peter Max, and Nelson Mandela.

2008 Hollister Award Honorees

• Majora Carter - Founder of Sustainable South Bronx, environmental advocate, artist and MacArthur Foundation Fellowship ("genius grant").
http://www.majoracartergrou...

• Russell Simmons - UN Goodwill Ambassador, co-founder of Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, entrepreneur and music industry pioneer.
http://www.rushcommunicatio...
http://www.rushphilanthropi...

• Bhai Sahib Dr. Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia - Chairman and spiritual leader of the Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha Sikh Community.
http://www.rfp-europe.eu/in...