Interfaith group leader tapped to lead Zeidler Group
Pardeep Singh Kaleka, the executive director of the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee, has taken on another leadership position.
He will also serve as executive director of the Zeidler Group, a nonprofit that promotes dialogue between people who disagree and organizes discussions about tough issues.
The Interfaith Conference offices will move to Redeemer Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, 631 N. 19th St., to share space with the Zeidler Group.
Kaleka was named director of the interfaith group last June. He is the eldest son of Sikh Temple of Wisconsin founder Satwant Singh Kaleka, who died in the 2012 attack by a white supremacist on the Oak Creek house of worship.
He has worked as a police officer and educator, and in the years after the shooting has given presentations to groups and written a book alongside a former white supremacist.
“The Zeidler Group, along with Interfaith, were both formed with the aspirational goal of connecting community,” Kaleka said in a statement. “Both organizations’ profound reliance on moderators and community involvement speaks to a unique type of service model.”
Kaleka said the groups want to foster understanding and serve as the impetus for change in Milwaukee.
“With a location in the heart of the city, we have a duty to facilitate difficult dialogue across race, religion, ethnicity, language, regionality, gender, and experience dynamics,” he said.
Kaleka replaces Katherine Wilson as the Zeidler Group executive director. He is joined by a new program director as well: Sharon McMurray, one of the organization’s longtime discussion facilitators.