BACKGROUND
Early History
Deborah Moldow was born and raised in New York City. As a child, she attended Hunter College Elementary School for the gifted and launched her career as an actress at the age of five. After graduating from Hunter High School, she went on to Sarah Lawrence College, where she spent her junior and senior years in Paris, graduating there.
Deborah's early career as an actress spanned stage, film and television, but after college she became a singer and concentrated her work in musical theatre. Favorite roles included Maria in "West Side Story" and Magnolia in "Showboat," and she played on Broadway in "Hello, Dolly."
Deborah's early career as an actress spanned stage, film and television, but after college she became a singer and concentrated her work in musical theatre. Favorite roles included Maria in "West Side Story" and Magnolia in "Showboat," and she played on Broadway in "Hello, Dolly."
After thirty years of performing she was ready for a change and began to work in television and film production, where she first came in contact with Tibetan culture. She worked for several years with Samaya Foundation, directing the cable television show "Window on Tibet" and editing author Barry Bryant's beautiful book, "The Wheel of Time Sand Mandala."
Deborah's interfaith spiritual path was beginning to shape her life, including her Jewish family, her meditation practice, her work with Tibetan Buddhism, and several years in the choir of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.
Deborah's interfaith spiritual path was beginning to shape her life, including her Jewish family, her meditation practice, her work with Tibetan Buddhism, and several years in the choir of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.
Ministry
Deborah studied under Rabbi Joseph Gelberman at the New Seminary and was ordained as an Interfaith Minister at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in 1993. Rev. Deborah has had a successful private practice as a spiritual counselor, as well as performing weddings, baby ceremonies and other services. She facilitated a women's cancer support group for two years, and offered counseling and workshops at Friends In Deed, a support organization for people with HIV and other life challenges. These workshops included "Finding Your Spiritual Path," "Dancing With the Dark Side," and "Talking to God." She worked with psychologist Christine Ranck to develop a workshop for women who had been raped, which the two have co-facilitated at the New York Open Center and the National Organization for Women.
In addition, Deborah has been active in the development, founding and growth of the United Religions Initiative, a grassroots interfaith organization with more than 300 local, multi-faith Cooperation Circles around the world.
Rev. Deborah led monthly Interfaith Sundays at the Chapel at Croton Falls in Westchester, NY for ten years. She occasionally had the opportunity to lead the congregation in song, as in this video clip of "Amazing Grace" from a special memorial service.
She currently resides in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where she leads a weekly Spirit Salon.
In addition, Deborah has been active in the development, founding and growth of the United Religions Initiative, a grassroots interfaith organization with more than 300 local, multi-faith Cooperation Circles around the world.
Rev. Deborah led monthly Interfaith Sundays at the Chapel at Croton Falls in Westchester, NY for ten years. She occasionally had the opportunity to lead the congregation in song, as in this video clip of "Amazing Grace" from a special memorial service.
She currently resides in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where she leads a weekly Spirit Salon.
Work for Peace
Deborah was the Representative to the United Nations of the May Peace Prevail On Earth International, an international nonprofit organization uniting people worldwide through the message and prayer "May Peace Prevail on Earth." The Society's headquarters are at the beautiful World Peace Sanctuary in Amenia, New York, with offices in Tokyo, Munich, San Francisco, and Scotland. Deborah has organized World Peace Prayer Ceremonies with the flags of all nations at the UN, across the United States, and in many countries including India, Argentina, Switzerland, Kenya, Turkey, Haiti and South Africa. Deborah has led many of the World Peace Prayer Society's various activities, including the Peace Pals program for children, annual events at the World Peace Sanctuary and the United Nations, and the Peace Pole Project, which boasts more than 200,000 Peace Poles in 180 countries, each proclaiming the prayer "May Peace Prevail on Earth."
At the United Nations, Deborah was the elected chair of the Values Caucus for five years, working with other NGOs to encourage the UN toward its highest vision. She served for many years as Co-Chair of the International Day of Peace NGO Committee and originated the United Religions Initiative cooperation circle at the UN.
At the United Nations, Deborah was the elected chair of the Values Caucus for five years, working with other NGOs to encourage the UN toward its highest vision. She served for many years as Co-Chair of the International Day of Peace NGO Committee and originated the United Religions Initiative cooperation circle at the UN.