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A Delicious Start to the New Year at Our Cooking Club

We kicked off the New Year with our first Cooking Club gathering, and it was truly a feast to remember. The event featured Chef Ms. Mine and her mother, two incredibly talented cooks who generously shared their cherished family recipes with our community.
Guests enjoyed a flavorful traditional salad, Kisir, along with a delightful Poppy Seed Pastry-both prepared with care and passion. From the moment the dishes were served, excitement filled the room as everyone eagerly gathered to taste and connect over these delicious creations.
Beyond the wonderful food and warm friendships, the event was made even more special by the presence of Las Vegas Councilwoman Francis Allen-Palenske. Her positive energy and genuine engagement brought an extra sense of joy to the gathering. We are truly grateful that she took the time to join us and support our Cooking Club.
This memorable event perfectly reflected what our Cooking Club is all about: sharing cultures, building community, and creating meaningful moments around the table. We look forward to many more delicious gatherings throughout the year.

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Thanksgiving & The Power of Community

silver-sage-foundation-reno

From Loneliness to Togetherness

We were honored to gather with our Reno community for an evening filled with gratitude, warmth, and meaningful connection.

This special Thanksgiving event reminded us that:

  • Friendship grows when we come together
  • Community heals loneliness
  • Compassion has the power to unite people of all backgrounds
  • Sharing a meal can create lifelong bonds

A heartfelt thank you to our guest speaker, Minister Kelly Douglas, and to everyone who joined us to make this night truly unforgettable. Your presence brought light, joy, and togetherness to our community.

Locations: McKinley Arts & Cultural Center – Reno, Nevada
By: Silver Sage Foundation

Let’s continue to spread kindness, unity, and hope—one gathering at a time.
Happy Thanksgiving!

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Annual Thanksgiving Dinner-Peace Begins with Thanks

Silversage Las Vegas hosted an Annual Thanksgiving Dinner-an evening where hearts meet, stories mingle, and strangers become friends. More than a celebration, this gathering serves as a heartfelt reminder of how beautiful life becomes when people from different cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs sit at the same table and share gratitude side by side.

At Silversage, we believe that every person carries a spark worth knowing. Our mission is deeply inspired by the words of Mr. Fethullah Gülen:
“Make sure there is room in your heart for everyone-and not just a chair, but an armchair; a place of comfort, dignity, and belonging.”
This spirit of warmth and welcome guided the flow of our evening from the moment guests arrived.

The program opened with a gracious welcome from our MC, Ms. Danara, setting the tone for an atmosphere of connection and mutual respect. Mr. Anar followed with reflections that invited guests to embrace gratitude as a bridge between cultures. Throughout the evening, Mr Rob, Mr. Marvine and Ms. Jerushia shared heartfelt messages that added depth, wisdom, and humanity-each voice unique, yet all woven together into a single tapestry of thankfulness.

The Thanksgiving prayers, offered by Bishop Rex and Mr. Arsalan, brought a moment of quiet reverence. Their words reminded us that gratitude, expressed through faith and humility, has the power to soften hearts and bring communities closer.

As guests moved toward dinner, exchanged introductions at their tables, and enjoyed gentle music in the background, the room became a living example of this year’s theme:

Peace Begins with Thanks !A Journey Toward Intercultural Understanding

What began as a structured program blossomed into a circle of fellowship. Every smile, story, and gesture throughout the evening served as a small yet meaningful step toward peace.

The Annual Thanksgiving Dinner offered a beautiful blend of reflection, gratitude, and shared fellowship. Through speeches, prayers, and table conversations, participants engaged in thoughtful dialogue and celebrated the rich diversity of our community. Together, we were reminded that peace is not a distant vision-it begins with thanks, and it grows when we open our hearts to one another.

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Silver Sage Reno-A Night to Remember at the BBQ Party!

Silver Sage – Reno hosted a truly unforgettable BBQ Party, and what a beautiful evening it was!

With about thirty friends gathered, the night was filled with the warmth of laughter, shared stories, and sizzling kebabs fresh off the grill. The cozy atmosphere made it more than just a party—it was a celebration of friendship, unity, and community spirit.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this evening so special. Whether you brought a dish, a smile, or simply your presence, you contributed to the magic of the night.

A special shout-out goes to our amazing volunteers and organizers-your dedication and effort made everything run smoothly behind the scenes. We’re so grateful for all you do.

Let’s carry this joyful energy forward and continue building this wonderful community together. Until next time, friends!

Check out some snapshots from the night!

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Silver Sage Reno Volunteers Bring a Taste of Tradition to the Community

Silver Sage Reno volunteers visited several community centers to share a special treat: Noah’s Pudding also known as Ashura.

But what exactly is Noah’s Pudding?

Ashura is a traditional, porridge-like dessert made from a rich mix of grains, fruits, and nuts. Naturally vegan, it carries a deep message: sharing, unity, and community.

According to tradition, after the great flood, Prophet Noah and his companions gathered the last remaining ingredients on the ark to prepare a meal and with that Noah’s Pudding was born.

Today, families prepare large pots of this meaningful dish and generously share it with neighbors, friends, and even strangers, regardless of religion or background.

Ashura is more than just a dessert.
It’s a symbol of diversity, compassion, and interfaith harmony, reminding us that just like the many ingredients come together to create one sweet dish, people from all walks of life can come together in kindness and unity.

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A Night of Connection and Culture: Friendship Dinner at TMCC

We’re so thankful to the teachers, professors, and students at Truckee Meadows Community College, along with the incredible Silver Sage Reno community, for making our recent Friendship Dinner such a warm and meaningful evening!

From the moment guests arrived, the atmosphere was full of genuine connection, curiosity, and joy. The night was a beautiful blend of great conversations, new friendships, and delicious Turkish food — all shared around a table that welcomed everyone.

This event reminded us why we gather: to celebrate diversity, build understanding, and strengthen the bonds that bring communities closer together. Through shared meals and shared stories, we created a space for dialogue, cultural exchange, and lasting memories.

We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who helped organize and support this event. From setting up tables and preparing food to facilitating conversations and creating a welcoming environment — your kindness and collaboration made all the difference. Events like these don’t just happen; they are built by the dedication of people who care.

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Wrapping Up the Season with Flavor and Friendship

Our Final Cooking Class at Silver Sage – Reno

This past Saturday, the air at Silver Sage in Reno was filled with the rich aromas of spices, herbs, and warm conversations as we held our final cooking club of the season. It was a beautiful, hands-on experience where we came together to cook, connect, and celebrate the flavors of Turkish cuisine.

Mercimek Köftesi is a beloved staple in Turkish cuisine — a dish that is hearty, healthy, and full of character. Made with red lentils, fine bulgur, olive oil, tomato paste, and a blend of fragrant spices, these lentil balls are shaped by hand and served cold, often wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves or with a squeeze of fresh lemon. For many of us, it was not just about cooking a dish — it was about sharing a tradition, learning something new, and tasting a bit of culture.

During the class, everyone rolled up their sleeves (literally!) and got involved. We measured, mixed, kneaded, and shaped the köfte together — laughing, learning, and enjoying every step. And of course, the best part came at the end: sitting down to enjoy what we created as a community. The flavors were rich, the atmosphere was joyful, and the sense of togetherness was something truly special.

To everyone who joined us this season — thank you. Your enthusiasm, curiosity, and community spirit made each class a memorable experience. Stay tuned for announcements, and don’t forget to bring your appetite and your curiosity when we return!

Until then, enjoy the summer, keep cooking, and remember:
food tastes even better when it’s shared.

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Cooking Club Iftar Program

During the blessed month of Ramadan, the spirit of togetherness and sharing was alive and well in our Cooking Club. Even with the special season of fasting, our members didn’t miss a chance to come together and celebrate the joy of community, food, and friendship.

We were fortunate to have one of our members open their home, creating the perfect space for our Iftar dinner. The evening was filled with laughter, love, and of course, a delicious spread of dishes that showcased the talents and culinary creativity of our club members.

We are grateful for the love and warmth our members bring to every event. As we continue our cooking adventures, moments like this are a true testament to the bonds we’ve built within the Cooking Club.

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Nevada’s First Legislative Iftar – A Historic Evening of Unity and Celebration

On March 20, 2025, Silver Sage Foundation-Reno had the distinct honor of hosting Nevada’s First Legislative Iftar Dinner at the Nevada State Legislative Building in Carson City. This momentous event took place at 6:15 PM in Room 3100, bringing together leaders to celebrate the spirit of Ramadan.

The evening was a beautiful blend of community and leadership, as nearly one hundred attendees gathered for an Iftar dinner filled with warmth, unity, and meaningful conversations. We were delighted to welcome a distinguished group of guests, including Nevada’s Attorney General, three state senators, and fifteen assembly members. Their participation made the event even more special and reflective of Nevada’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and mutual understanding.

The Iftar served as a remarkable reminder of the power of dialogue and collaboration, fostering relationships. As we broke our fast together, we celebrated not only the holy month of Ramadan but also the shared values that unite us as Nevadans.

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who attended and supported this historic event. It was an unforgettable evening, and we look forward to continuing efforts to build bridges and foster understanding within our state.

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Iftar Dinner with Epiphany Episcopal Church

The Intercultural Dialogue Team recently had the honor of collaborating with Epiphany Episcopal Church to host a beautiful and meaningful Iftar Dinner. This event brought together members of both our communities, offering a chance to break bread, share stories, and reflect on the values that unite us.

With our close friends from Epiphany in attendance, the evening was filled with warmth and gratitude. As we gathered to celebrate this special occasion, we not only enjoyed a delicious meal but also engaged in thoughtful discussions, focusing on the commonalities that bind us together despite our differences.

What made the evening even more special was the heartfelt gratitude shared by our friends from Epiphany. Several of our guests took the time to write letters expressing their thanks and the deep sense of friendship they felt, reminding us of the power of connection and mutual respect.

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