Newark

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The Newark Division honors Mr. Levent Koch, chief executive officer of the Peace Islands Institute (PII), for his efforts to promote respect and mutual understanding among all faiths and cultures.

The PII is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization founded by Turkish Americans of North Jersey in 2003. The PII partners with other religious and interreligious organizations by planning educational and cultural activities such as lectures, seminars, conferences, discussion panels, luncheons, and trips to Turkey.

Mr. Koch made it his goal to continuously reach out to people from all segments of society, as well as organize periodic programs and develop new projects for PII. Programs like the PII educational series, unity dinners, Abraham Table luncheons, trips to Turkey, and the PII awards ceremony have become exemplary programs in New Jersey.

Mr. Koch has paid special attention to bringing together people from all walks of life, including academics, law enforcement, clergy, and government officials. At present, Mr. Koch is collaborating with community organizations on an initiative to help prevent students from dropping out of school and make it easier for those who have dropped out to return to school.