Professional journalists, clergy, bloggers, students and other folks simply interested in learning more about how religion headlines happen – check out these events coming up in Manhattan:

1) Religion and the Media

The Jewish Theological Seminary

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30

3080 Broadway (at West 122nd Street)

Religion increasingly affects world events. But do the media truly understand each of the religions they cover? Is current religion coverage adequate to the task? Are there better ways for the media to address religion and religious issues? Hear and engage with a panel of media luminaries:

• Juju Chang, panelist, is an Emmy Award-winning correspondent for ABC News’s Nightline.
• Reverend Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, panelist, is the senior religion editor for the Huffington Post.
• Brent Staples, panelist, writes for the New York Times editorial board on a wide range of topics, including politics, culture, race, education, housing, consumer economics, juvenile justice, and prison policy.
• Nicholas Lemann, moderator, is dean of the Columbia Journalism School.

Admission is free, but reservations are required. RSVP online at www.jtsa.edu/religion or call (212) 280-6093. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to allow sufficient time for registration, and have photo ID available.

2) RNA/RCC Happy Hour

The Huffington Post

6th Floor, 770 Broadway (at East 9th Street)

6-8 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 14

Journalists, faith-based public relations professionals and graduate students are invited to mix and mingle over refreshments.  Co-sponsored by Religion Newswriters Association and the New York chapter of the Religion Communicators Council, the event will include pitching and blogging advice from Huffington Post Religion editor Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, and a drawing for a free registration for RNA’s 2012 conference in the Washington, DC area.

Admission $10 for RNA/RCC members and students, $20 for non-members. RSVP to NicoleMN6@gmail.com by Dec. 5.