October 2007 WISDOM Newsletter

Dear WISDOM Women,

It has been a while since we’ve had an e-mail about WISDOM initiatives. First, I would like to remind you all that WISDOM will be sponsoring the three authors of THE FAITH CLUB at the West Bloomfield Jewish Community Center’s Book Fair on Tuesday, November 13th at 7:00 PM. I still do not have any details about their arrival and departure times. We will look into the possibility of a dessert reception, but I don’t know if they will be spending the night in Detroit. Stay tuned, but please plan on coming to this event. Second, I am including an announcement of an Interfaith Thanksgiving Dinner that will take place on Wednesday, November 21st at the Sikh Gurdwara in Plymouth. I have gone to these wonderful interfaith Thanksgiving services over the last several years, and I have come away with a warm spiritual high. Please join WISDOM at this event as well. I have posted this information below. Third, I would like to let you know that WISDOM now has an Executive Board and a Board of Directors, and we are in the process of filing the papers to become a non-profit 501c3. That means that soon WISDOM will be able to accept checks that are tax deductible. The Board of Directors will be firming up by-laws and discuss membership, and all of that will be made available to you in the near future.

The WISDOM Executive Board is as follows:

President – Gail Katz
Vice President – Trish Harris
Vice President – Shahina Begg
Vice President – Beth Applebaum
Secretary – Sharon Buttry
Treasurer – Shahina Begg

The WISDOM General Board (so far) is as follows:

Lynn Davey, Mary Miller, Sheri Schiff, Fran Hildebrandt, Judy Satterthwaite, Ellen Ehrlich, The Rev. Marsha Foster Boyd, Rehana Qureshi, Dr. Ghalia Katranji, Muna Salman, Brenda Rosenberg, Paula Drewek, Freda Sampson, Supreet Singh, Gigi Salka

Fourth, I would like to tell you that Trish Harris and I gave a presentation on WISDOM to the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at a seminar entitled “Women’s Initiatives After 9/11”, and the experience was very enriching. In my next newsletter I would like to highlight some of the other women’s interfaith groups that we met, and who gave us a wealth of ideas for WISDOM. All of the women’s interfaith groups plan to stay in touch, and in the near future I hope to post links to their websites on the WISDOM website.

I hope you are all enjoying our warm October weather.

Peace, and I hope to see you all soon.

Gail Katz
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An Interfaith Celebration:
Thanks at All Times

Contacts: Rev. Dan Appleyard
Christ Episcopal Church
120 Military Road
Dearborn, MI 48124
313-565-8450

Mr. Michael Hovey
Archdiocese of Detroit
305 Michigan Ave GRB-6th Floor
Detroit, MI 48226
313-962-0340



The day before Thanksgiving in Southeast Michigan this year, there will be a mosaic of faces packed under one roof.

About a dozen faiths and languages will be represented during Metropolitan Detroit's 21st Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration sponsored by various area faith organizations. The event takes place November 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the Sikh Gurdwara Sahib - Hidden Falls. The place of worship is located on 40600 Schoolcraft Road, in Plymouth Township.

Traditionally, the interfaith service draws hundreds of people en route to celebrations of what is regarded as the quintessential American holiday. The annual service began in the late 1980s after members of the interfaith community decided they could find common ground in recognizing that Thanksgiving goes deeper than turkey and football.

"This gathering will highlight how each of our region's diverse faith communities can come together to give thanks to God for the abundance that so many of the people of our nation enjoy," says event co-chair Michael Hovey.

Many of the religions represented (including Native Americans, Bahais, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jews, Sikhs, and Muslims) bring children who illustrate themes of their faith, which includes the single thread that ties together all faiths: prayer.

"This celebration recalls the fact that we are one community," says event founder Rev. William Gepford.

The ceremony will involve prayer and music from the different faiths. Please be our guest during this unique spiritual event.

The event will also join hands with Gleaners Community Food Bank in an effort to feed thousands of hungry children in our area. In the spirit of giving, we encourage you to bring canned goods to the event. The food collected that night wil allow Gleaners to feed those families needing food.

We look forward to seeing you Wednesday evening, November 21.