Joelle brings a variety of interfaith experience to the religious diversity of GWIPL's network. For more than a year, she counseled hospital patients of all backgrounds and led interfaith worship services through a chaplain training program at Washington Hospital Center. Joelle is a magna cum laude graduate of Harvard University were she received a BA in Social Studies, and completed the coursework for a minor in the Study of Religion.

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Abi Rome
Great Light Program Coordinator

Abi is volunteering with GW-IPL as one of many ways she has worked to protect the Earth throughout her life. While she grew up near the New York City, she has always spent plenty of time in nature, from weekend walks in the woods with her family to summers spent on the Maine coast. As a result of that powerful imprinting, she studied biology at Colby College (in Maine) and went on to get her Master's degree in plant
ecology at Duke University (in North Carolina). She has spent much of her professional life working in biodiversity conservation in the eastern United States, as well as in Latin
America. She lived in Ecuador for five years helping to conserve cloud forests, Andean mountain ranges, and local villages deeply connected to the natural world. More
recently she has focused on developing ecotourism and sustainable tourism programs, which include taking adventurous travelers to experience nature and cultures of the Amazon, the Andes, the Himalayas, Central America and the Cape Town region of South Africa. Abi also works as a freelance writer, focusing on environmental issues,
travel and nature.

Her interest in working with GW-IPL stems from her concern about the future of the natural world and about us humans who depend on it. She recognizes that wise stewardship of the earth's resources must be promoted on all levels and within all sectors of society, and sees that religious institutions can have a powerful role in affecting how we impact the earth. By working across the interfaith spectrum, GW- IPL builds understanding between diverse communities over an issue of global urgent concern. Abi appreciates the fact that GW-IPL not only inspires and educates its
members, but also stimulates them to take real world actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The virtuous examples of houses of worship taking on the climate
change challenge act as strong motivators for congregants to also do their part for Earth care.

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Hannah Donner,
Program Outreach Coordinator

Hannah is working as a summer program outreach coordinator, organizing both our summer phone banks and a multi-congregational event on home energy savings in Capitol Hill. She is an incoming senior at the University of Rochester and is working at GW-IPL this summer through the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism's Machon Kaplan program. Hannah grew up in North Tonawanda, NY, near Buffalo, and is an active member of the Reform Jewish community there.

"Unlike citizens in many other countries, we as Americans often fail to see the importance of energy conservation," says Hannah. "After spending a semester abroad in France, I learned the importance of making a few resources go a long way. I want to take what I learned overseas and apply it to my world at home. For me, there is nothing more rewarding than coming together with people of various religions in order to reach a common goal."

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Robert Long, Assistant to the Director

Robert is serving as an assistant to the director this summer, undertaking a variety of research and writing projects. Robert is an evangelical Presbyterian (PCA), "born and bred in the Bible belt." He is a Harvard undergraduate studying the intersection of religion and politics. Robert is assisting with GW-IPL's work this summer through the assistance of the Institute of Politics' Summer in Washington program.

"I'm excited to work with religious believers who are working to protect Creation," says Rob.

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Avichai Ozur Bass, Program Assistant

Avichai is working as a program assistant this summer, lending a hand with research and data entry, as well as helping at special events. Avichai is a sophomore at the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville and attends Congregation Har Shalom in Potomac.

"I am passionate about the environment," says Avi, "and I believe that faith-based organizations have a responsibility to be leaders in environmental education and in environmental justice."

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Our work is made possible through the assistance of interns and other volunteers. Please contact us if you'd like to explore lending a hand to our work.

Recent interns and volunteers for GW-IPL include:

Summer 2010
Hannah Donner, University of Rochester / Machon Kaplan
Robert Long, Harvard University
Avichai Ozur Bass, Charles E. Smith JDS / Har Shalom

Spring 2010
Matthew Young, St. Lawrence University
Avery O'Brian, School Without Walls / Fabrangen West

Summer 2009
Kelly Hardin, River Road Unitarian Universalist Church

Summer 2008
Tamara L. Slater, University of Rochester

Summer 2007
Aviva Birnkrant, Washington University in St Louis/ Cong. Beth El
Gina Gonzalez, Northwestern

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Several local businesses have donated in-kind professional services in support of our work:

Arnold & Porter LLP, pro bono legal counsel
Kelly Ann McCann, graphic and web designer