| 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm | Parish Hall

Eyes on Richmond: The Birthplace of Religious Freedom

Friday lunchtime forum

Mr. Tommy P. Baer, Chair of the First Freedom Center and Past President of B'nai B'rith International, will headline this popular Eyes on Richmond lunchtime forum at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, downtown in Capitol Square. He will speak on "Richmond: The Birthplace of Religious Freedom?" Lunch will be catered by Kuba Kuba.

As chair of the First Freedom Center, Baer works to increase understanding and respect for religious freedom, building on the legacy that began in Richmond with the adoption of Thomas Jefferson's Statute for Religious Freedom by the Virginia General Assembly in 1786. As the international president of B'nai B'rith from 1994-1998 Baer met with the leaders of 35 countries on the issues of Middle East peace, anti-Semitism, terrorism, and other subjects.

Baer has received extensive recognition for his civic service, including awards from the Virginia State Bar, Richmond Bar Association, Richmond Jewish Community Federation, the Virginia General Assembly and the University of Richmond. Baer and his wife Betty live in Richmond.

St. Paul's Eyes on Richmond series is a lunchtime forum that takes place on Fridays, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m., in the St. Paul's Parish House (815 East Grace Street) during the fall. The cost to attend a forum is $8, which includes lunch with beverage and dessert. St. Paul's offers this educational program as a service to the community.

Reservations to attend Eyes on Richmond with Tommy Baer may be made online at www.stpauls-episcopal.org/eyesonrichmond or by calling (804) 643-3589 by Wed., Sept. 30. Free parking is available in the St. Paul's garage (enter on 8th Street between Grace & Franklin Streets) for those attending Eyes on Richmond. Downtowners can take the free GRTC Lunchtime Express shuttle bus between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to the 8th & Broad Street stop.

Special thanks to Community Idea Stations for being the Eyes on Richmond media sponsor.