Service to Humanity


Local Area Baha’is and Friends of the Faith observing a Baha’i Holiday in Sylvania Ohio

Members of the Baha’i Faith are actively involved in the promotion of the Common Good.  On the international scale,  The Baha’i International CommunityThe International Environmental ForumEthical Business Building the Future, and the Tahirih Justice Center are a few the organizations that Baha’is partner with to advance humanitarian causes of justice, social-economic development, environmental protection, and women’s rights.

“Therefore strive that your actions day by day may be beautiful prayers. Turn towards God, and seek always to do that which is right and noble. Enrich the poor, raise the fallen, comfort the sorrowful, bring healing to the sick, reassure the fearful, rescue the oppressed, bring hope to the hopeless, shelter the destitute! ….This is the work of a true Bahá'í, and this is what is expected of him.”

   (Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 80) 


Zmeskal Development Fund

picture of Dr Otto and Florence Zmeskal

Dr. Otto and Florence Zmeskal

Many Social Economic Development projects are dependent upon funding.

Starting in 2011, the Sylvania Baha’i Community has maintained a separate fund to be used exclusively for local Social and Economic Development programs and causes.  This fund, named in honor of long time members of our community Dr. Otto and Florence Zmeskal, has provided resources for campaigns that better our community.  Utilizing the Zmeskal Development Fund, the Toledo Area Baha’i Community members have and continue to offer support to area organizations and non-profit agencies such as: