Working Partnerships USA

Elisa Koff-Ginsborg
Interim Director, The Interfaith Council on Economics and Justice

Elisa Koff-Ginsborg brings a passion for coalition building, leadership development and policy analysis to her new role as Interim Director of the Interfaith Council on Economics and Justice. She joined Working Partnerships in September 2007 and manages our local leadership development training programs as well as coordinates the Community Budget Working Group.

She has seven years of nonprofit management experience, including serving as interim executive director of Social Advocates for Youth. Previously Elisa worked with youth in foster care and the juvenile justice system. She was also a youth policy analyst for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She received her Bachelor's in Policy Studies and Political Science from Syracuse University, a Master's in Political Science from the Eagleton Institute at Rutgers University and a Master of Social Work from Catholic University of America.

Elisa loves that her family shares her social justice values, so don't be surprised if you meet her children Atticus or Eleanora or her husband David at an action. Elisa is a member of Congregation Shir Hadash where she recently completed her studies and was called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah.

Meet Our Board Members

-->

	Rev. Debbie Weatherspoon Chair Los Altos United Methodist Church 655 Magdalena Ave \| Los Altos, CA 94024 Debbie Weatherspoon has been in pastoral ministry since 1997, following her graduation from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. She is married to Rev. Dale Weatherspoon, pastor of Alum Rock UMC in San Jose. They have two young sons, Wesley and Justus. Debbie also serves on the Peninsula Clergy Network (PCN) and Santa Clara County Community Advisory Committee. She received two undergraduate degrees from the University of Florida, where, through campus ministry, she received her call to be ordained.
	Rabbi Dana Magat Vice Chair of Education and Outreach Temple Emanu-El 1010 University Ave \| San Jose, CA 95126
	Rev. John L. Freesemann Vice Chair of Campaigns Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church 1948 The Alameda \| San Jose, CA 95126 Rev. Freesemann has been the pastor of Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church since 1990. John received a dual degree from San Jose State University in Philosophy and Psychology. He graduated from Christ Seminary - Seminex and was ordained in 1976. He has been engaged in the struggle for economics and justice since the mid-1960s. John is a member of the California Council of Churches IMPACT board and sits on the board of the National Farm Worker Ministry. John is passionate about Sabbath Economics and the movement of our world toward the realization of a "peaceable kingdom". He is the chair of the Interfaith Council's Hotel Workers Rising Committee.
	Rev. Beryl Banks Church of the Chimes 1447 Bryan Ave. \| San Jose, CA 95118 Beryl Banks was born in Shreveport, La., and received a BA in Mathematics from Sacramento State University, an MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena and an Ed.D at the University of San Francisco. He has pastored in church and para-church positions in San Francisco, Elk Grove, Sacramento, Pasadena and Los Angeles since 1977, most notably in Young Life and Sacred Heart Community Service. He is presently the pastor to students and young adults at the Church of the Chimes. He and his wife, Angela, have a son, Caleb Joshua.
	Rev. Bob Butziger Interfaith Counseling Center Grace Baptist Church 484 E. San Fernando St. \| San Jose, CA 95112 Bob Butziger is a pastoral psychotherapist and ordained Presbyterian minister who is supposedly retired. He is married to Marianne and they have three adult children and three grandchildren. Currently Bob is the chair of the Committee on Preparation for Ministry for the Presbytery of San Jose and shares ministry at Grace Baptist Church as Director of the Interfaith Counseling Center. He is also co-chair of the Pacific Region of the Association of Pastoral Counselors.
	Cindy Chavez Working Partnerships USA 2102 Almaden Rd., Suite 107 \| San Jose, CA 95125 For over two decades, Cindy Chavez has worked to make San Jose a better place to live, work and play. She is a graduate of San Jose State University. She began her early career in the labor movement and joined Working Partnerships USA when it founded in 1995. In 1998, Cindy was elected to the San Jose City Council where she served two terms as well as two years as vice mayor. Highlights of her tenure on council include advances and reforms in economic development, housing and neighborhood investment. Cindy was named executive director of Working Partnerships USA (WPUSA) in April 2009.
	Rev. Tom Coop Santa Teresa Hills Presbyterian Church 5370 Snell Ave. \| San Jose, CA 95123 Tom Coop is the current pastor of Santa Teresa Hills Presbyterian Church, where he has served for nine and a half years. Previously he was the associate pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Conroe, Texas. Tom graduated from Brigham Young University with a B.S. in psychology and got his Masters of Divinity from San Francisco Theological Seminary. He has a passion for social justice and was instrumental in starting and sustaining a food pantry at the church for the homeless and underserved in the community.
	Steve Herrera, Deacon Transfiguration Catholic Church 4325 Jarvis Ave. \| San Jose, CA 95118 Deacon Steve Herrera has been teaching religion to Catholic High School students for 33 years. He currently teaches at Archbishop Mitty High School and is serving as a Deacon in the Diocese of San Jose. Steve currently administers immersion programs for adults and teens in the Diocese of San Jose with an emphasis on interreligious dialogue. Deacon Steve holds a Bachelor’s of Theology Degree from the University of San Francisco and a Master's in Pastoral Theology from USF as well.
	Bhawana Kamil MAS (Muslim American Society) Bay Area 2116 Walsh Ave. C-7 \| Santa Clara, CA 95050 Bhawana Kamil was raised in the Bay Area, and received a Bachelors of Science in Chemistry from UC Berkeley. Soon after graduating, she accepted Islam in September of 2000. Bhawana traveled overseas to Cairo, Egypt for a few years with her husband to study Arabic and Islamic Studies for which she received graduate diplomas. She completed a Masters degree in Philosophy from San Jose State University, where she is currently teaching Ethics. She is the current president of the Bay Area chapter of the Muslim American Society, and former directed its youth and outreach departments. She has spoken at a variety of settings, including schools, universities, churches, conferences, and camps on several topics including ‘An Introduction to Islam,’ ‘Women in Islam,’ ‘Challenges Facing Muslim Youth in the West,’ ‘Geography of the Muslim World,' and 'Understanding Shariah.' Her passions include service and interfaith activities. She is married, and has one daughter, Khadijah.
	Rev. Daryl Lavway Grace Baptist Church 484 E. San Fernando St. \| San Jose, CA 95112 Daryl Lavway preached his first sermon at age 19. He has served churches in Canada and Maine and made several mission trips to the Dominican Republic, where he served as a mission leader and helped build a hospital for Haitian sugar cane cutters. The last two parishes he served in Maine covered a span of 29 years. He has a magna cum laude degree in Political Science from the University of Southern Maine and did his theological studies at Atlantic Baptist University in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. During that time he received awards for being the highest ranking student in the Biblical/theological studies department. He has also studied Baptist history and polity at Oxford University in England and taken courses in small church management at Princeton Seminary. He and his wife, Tatyana, have been married for almost four years and are the proud parents of seven children all together.
	Fr. Bill Leininger Human Concerns Commission, Diocese of San Jose If/When Community
	Fr. Jon Pedigo St. Julie Billiart Parish 366 St. Julie Drive \| San Jose, CA 95119 A Bay Area Native, Fr. Jon Pedigo has been active in civic affairs and social justice causes for over 25 years. He also serves on the Human Concerns Commission of the Diocese of San José. In 2004, he was honored with the Martin Luther King Good Neighbor Award. Fr. Pedigo holds a Bachelor’s of Music Degree from San Francisco State University and a Master of Music from Indiana University, Bloomington. He did his theology studies at St. Patrick Seminary, Menlo Park and holds a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley.
	Rev. Chuck Rawlings Executive Director Council of Churches, Santa Clara County 1710 Moorpark Ave. \| San Jose, CA 95128
	Fr. Eddie Samaniego, S.J. 2009 Chair Emeritus Most Holy Trinity 2040 Nassau Drive \| San Jose, CA 95122 Fr. Eddie was born on June 5, 1950 to Eduardo José Samaniego and Enriqueta ("Chata") Revilla de Samaniego. After 30 years of school and work, he entered the Jesuit Order on September 1, 1980. In 1990, he was ordained to the priesthood and spent many years as an associate pastor at Dolores Mission parish in East Los Angeles, and then at Christ the King parish in San Diego. He is known for his liturgical skills, preaching, and a commitment to Social Justice and to Catholic Education.
	Sabuhi Siddique Ahmadiiyya Muslim Community 876 Hermiston Drive \| San Jose, CA 95136
	Dr. Stanley E. Taylor 2009 Chair Emeritus St. Julie Billiart Parish, Worker Justice Advocate Pax Christi Northern California, Chair 421 Sautner Drive \| San Jose, CA 95123 Stan Taylor is a retired cognitive psychologist who studied the thinking demands of people at work. He is the Chair of Pax Christi Northern California, part of Pax Christi USA, the Catholic peace and nonviolence movement, and a member of the Executive Steering Committee of Justice For Immigrants. He is a husband, father of three daughters and grandfather of five. Stan worships formally at St. Julie Billiart Parish and informally in solidarity with those with no voice, especially the working poor and the strangers in our midst who we call immigrants, until we get to know them. He is a two-time graduate of JustFaith, and a former seminarian at the Pontifical College Josephinum.
	Educational Advisor Shifu Jian Hu, Abbot Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale 750 E. Arques Ave. \| Sunnyvale, CA 94085

Resources & Allies
History and Accomplishments
Statement of Principles
The Interfaith Council
2102 Almaden Road, Ste 107
San Jose, CA 95125
(408) 269-7872
(408) 269-0183 fax
Email Us

	Rev. Debbie Weatherspoon Chair Los Altos United Methodist Church 655 Magdalena Ave \| Los Altos, CA 94024 Debbie Weatherspoon has been in pastoral ministry since 1997, following her graduation from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. She is married to Rev. Dale Weatherspoon, pastor of Alum Rock UMC in San Jose. They have two young sons, Wesley and Justus. Debbie also serves on the Peninsula Clergy Network (PCN) and Santa Clara County Community Advisory Committee. She received two undergraduate degrees from the University of Florida, where, through campus ministry, she received her call to be ordained.
	Rabbi Dana Magat Vice Chair of Education and Outreach Temple Emanu-El 1010 University Ave \| San Jose, CA 95126
	Rev. John L. Freesemann Vice Chair of Campaigns Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church 1948 The Alameda \| San Jose, CA 95126 Rev. Freesemann has been the pastor of Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church since 1990. John received a dual degree from San Jose State University in Philosophy and Psychology. He graduated from Christ Seminary - Seminex and was ordained in 1976. He has been engaged in the struggle for economics and justice since the mid-1960s. John is a member of the California Council of Churches IMPACT board and sits on the board of the National Farm Worker Ministry. John is passionate about Sabbath Economics and the movement of our world toward the realization of a "peaceable kingdom". He is the chair of the Interfaith Council's Hotel Workers Rising Committee.
	Rev. Beryl Banks Church of the Chimes 1447 Bryan Ave. \| San Jose, CA 95118 Beryl Banks was born in Shreveport, La., and received a BA in Mathematics from Sacramento State University, an MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena and an Ed.D at the University of San Francisco. He has pastored in church and para-church positions in San Francisco, Elk Grove, Sacramento, Pasadena and Los Angeles since 1977, most notably in Young Life and Sacred Heart Community Service. He is presently the pastor to students and young adults at the Church of the Chimes. He and his wife, Angela, have a son, Caleb Joshua.
	Rev. Bob Butziger Interfaith Counseling Center Grace Baptist Church 484 E. San Fernando St. \| San Jose, CA 95112 Bob Butziger is a pastoral psychotherapist and ordained Presbyterian minister who is supposedly retired. He is married to Marianne and they have three adult children and three grandchildren. Currently Bob is the chair of the Committee on Preparation for Ministry for the Presbytery of San Jose and shares ministry at Grace Baptist Church as Director of the Interfaith Counseling Center. He is also co-chair of the Pacific Region of the Association of Pastoral Counselors.
	Cindy Chavez Working Partnerships USA 2102 Almaden Rd., Suite 107 \| San Jose, CA 95125 For over two decades, Cindy Chavez has worked to make San Jose a better place to live, work and play. She is a graduate of San Jose State University. She began her early career in the labor movement and joined Working Partnerships USA when it founded in 1995. In 1998, Cindy was elected to the San Jose City Council where she served two terms as well as two years as vice mayor. Highlights of her tenure on council include advances and reforms in economic development, housing and neighborhood investment. Cindy was named executive director of Working Partnerships USA (WPUSA) in April 2009.
	Rev. Tom Coop Santa Teresa Hills Presbyterian Church 5370 Snell Ave. \| San Jose, CA 95123 Tom Coop is the current pastor of Santa Teresa Hills Presbyterian Church, where he has served for nine and a half years. Previously he was the associate pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Conroe, Texas. Tom graduated from Brigham Young University with a B.S. in psychology and got his Masters of Divinity from San Francisco Theological Seminary. He has a passion for social justice and was instrumental in starting and sustaining a food pantry at the church for the homeless and underserved in the community.
	Steve Herrera, Deacon Transfiguration Catholic Church 4325 Jarvis Ave. \| San Jose, CA 95118 Deacon Steve Herrera has been teaching religion to Catholic High School students for 33 years. He currently teaches at Archbishop Mitty High School and is serving as a Deacon in the Diocese of San Jose. Steve currently administers immersion programs for adults and teens in the Diocese of San Jose with an emphasis on interreligious dialogue. Deacon Steve holds a Bachelor’s of Theology Degree from the University of San Francisco and a Master's in Pastoral Theology from USF as well.
	Bhawana Kamil MAS (Muslim American Society) Bay Area 2116 Walsh Ave. C-7 \| Santa Clara, CA 95050 Bhawana Kamil was raised in the Bay Area, and received a Bachelors of Science in Chemistry from UC Berkeley. Soon after graduating, she accepted Islam in September of 2000. Bhawana traveled overseas to Cairo, Egypt for a few years with her husband to study Arabic and Islamic Studies for which she received graduate diplomas. She completed a Masters degree in Philosophy from San Jose State University, where she is currently teaching Ethics. She is the current president of the Bay Area chapter of the Muslim American Society, and former directed its youth and outreach departments. She has spoken at a variety of settings, including schools, universities, churches, conferences, and camps on several topics including ‘An Introduction to Islam,’ ‘Women in Islam,’ ‘Challenges Facing Muslim Youth in the West,’ ‘Geography of the Muslim World,' and 'Understanding Shariah.' Her passions include service and interfaith activities. She is married, and has one daughter, Khadijah.
	Rev. Daryl Lavway Grace Baptist Church 484 E. San Fernando St. \| San Jose, CA 95112 Daryl Lavway preached his first sermon at age 19. He has served churches in Canada and Maine and made several mission trips to the Dominican Republic, where he served as a mission leader and helped build a hospital for Haitian sugar cane cutters. The last two parishes he served in Maine covered a span of 29 years. He has a magna cum laude degree in Political Science from the University of Southern Maine and did his theological studies at Atlantic Baptist University in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. During that time he received awards for being the highest ranking student in the Biblical/theological studies department. He has also studied Baptist history and polity at Oxford University in England and taken courses in small church management at Princeton Seminary. He and his wife, Tatyana, have been married for almost four years and are the proud parents of seven children all together.
	Fr. Bill Leininger Human Concerns Commission, Diocese of San Jose If/When Community
	Fr. Jon Pedigo St. Julie Billiart Parish 366 St. Julie Drive \| San Jose, CA 95119 A Bay Area Native, Fr. Jon Pedigo has been active in civic affairs and social justice causes for over 25 years. He also serves on the Human Concerns Commission of the Diocese of San José. In 2004, he was honored with the Martin Luther King Good Neighbor Award. Fr. Pedigo holds a Bachelor’s of Music Degree from San Francisco State University and a Master of Music from Indiana University, Bloomington. He did his theology studies at St. Patrick Seminary, Menlo Park and holds a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley.
	Rev. Chuck Rawlings Executive Director Council of Churches, Santa Clara County 1710 Moorpark Ave. \| San Jose, CA 95128
	Fr. Eddie Samaniego, S.J. 2009 Chair Emeritus Most Holy Trinity 2040 Nassau Drive \| San Jose, CA 95122 Fr. Eddie was born on June 5, 1950 to Eduardo José Samaniego and Enriqueta ("Chata") Revilla de Samaniego. After 30 years of school and work, he entered the Jesuit Order on September 1, 1980. In 1990, he was ordained to the priesthood and spent many years as an associate pastor at Dolores Mission parish in East Los Angeles, and then at Christ the King parish in San Diego. He is known for his liturgical skills, preaching, and a commitment to Social Justice and to Catholic Education.
	Sabuhi Siddique Ahmadiiyya Muslim Community 876 Hermiston Drive \| San Jose, CA 95136
	Dr. Stanley E. Taylor 2009 Chair Emeritus St. Julie Billiart Parish, Worker Justice Advocate Pax Christi Northern California, Chair 421 Sautner Drive \| San Jose, CA 95123 Stan Taylor is a retired cognitive psychologist who studied the thinking demands of people at work. He is the Chair of Pax Christi Northern California, part of Pax Christi USA, the Catholic peace and nonviolence movement, and a member of the Executive Steering Committee of Justice For Immigrants. He is a husband, father of three daughters and grandfather of five. Stan worships formally at St. Julie Billiart Parish and informally in solidarity with those with no voice, especially the working poor and the strangers in our midst who we call immigrants, until we get to know them. He is a two-time graduate of JustFaith, and a former seminarian at the Pontifical College Josephinum.
	Educational Advisor Shifu Jian Hu, Abbot Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale 750 E. Arques Ave. \| Sunnyvale, CA 94085