Wider Circles: A Faith Matters Interfaith Gathering
Faith Matters is excited to continue hosting Wider Circles: A Faith Matters Interfaith Gathering. This month we welcome Zaynep Kariparduc who will be sharing insights from Islam. This is a space for thoughtful dialogue, shared learning, and genuine connection, open to people of all faiths and backgrounds.
At Wider Circles, we also break bread together. You are invited to bring a favorite bread along with butter, jams, dipping oils, or other accompaniments. With insightful teaching and nourishing food, we hope this gathering enriches both your spirit and your Sabbath experience. Free admission, donations appreciated.
Zeynep Kariparduc is an award-winning educator, artist, and community leader with a rich background in interfaith dialogue, cultural inclusion, and community engagement. Originally from Turkey, she has lived in multiple countries, deepening her understanding of diverse cultures. Since arriving in the U.S. in 2011, Zeynep has been deeply committed to interfaith and cross-cultural initiatives, dedicating over a decade as Outreach and Programs Director at the Emerald Hills Institute, where she builds meaningful connections between communities. As the immediate past Chair of the Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable, she has been instrumental in fostering religious understanding and collaboration.
Zeynep’s professional background encompasses both for-profit and nonprofit leadership. She holds board positions with the Salt Lake City Police Foundation, Telemachus Foundation, and Emerald Hills Institute, along with advisory roles on several committees. Her dedication to community service and cross-cultural dialogue earned her the prestigious FBI Salt Lake City Director’s Community Leadership Award in 2023.
Honored for her impactful work, Zeynep also received Utah Business Magazine’s Living Color Award in the Community Engagement category in 2020, celebrating her contributions to diversity and inclusion within Utah.
Through her ongoing efforts, Zeynep continues to inspire unity, peace, and mutual respect across diverse communities.