WISDOM
A non-profit 501( c )3 corporation
Join Us On
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2008
For a Day of Celebration & Reflection
WORSHIP SERVICE, EXHIBIT TOURS & DINNER
Worship Service: 11:00AM
HARTFORD MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH - Pastor: Rev. Dr. Charles G. Adams
18700 James Couzens Detroit, Michigan 48235
(Off John C. Lodge service drive and 7 Mile)
Exhibit Tour and Dinner: 1:30PM—5:00PM
CHARLES WRIGHT MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY
315 E. Warren Detroit, MI 48201
Permanent Exhibit:
The journey begins in prehistoric Africa, the cradle of human life. Guests then witness several ancient and early modern civilizations that evolved on the continent. Crossing the Atlantic Ocean, they experience the tragedy of the middle passage and encounter those who resisted the horrors of bondage, emancipated themselves and sometimes took flight by way of the Underground Railroad. Throughout this trip, the efforts of everyday men and women who built families, businesses, educational institutions, spiritual traditions, civic organizations and a legacy of freedom and justice in past and present-day Detroit are hailed. What an awesome journey!
Visiting Exhibit:
Soul Sanctuary is an exhibition that captures the essence and rhythms of the black church. Over the course of ten years, photographer Jason Miccolo Johnson traversed the country, visiting large "mega-churches," and small "store-front" churches. During that time he took more than 15,000 black and white images of which 75 are included in the exhibition and the companion book.
REGISTRATION FORM FOR JANUARY 20TH EVENT
PLEASE MAKE YOUR $35 CHECK OUT TO
WISDOM
(A portion of your check will be tax-deductible)
AND MAIL TO:
MICHIGAN ROUNDTABLE
FOR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
ATTN: FREDA SAMPSON/WISDOM
525 New Center One
3031 W. Grand Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48202-3025
Please get all registrations and checks mailed to Freda by January 15th
Carpools encouraged – parking limited at the church!!
Public Parking lot available at the museum.
Feel free to register for just the museum if you cannot
make it to the church service.
NAME _______________________________________________________
STREET ____________________________________________________
CITY _______________________________________________________
ZIP CODE ___________________________________________________
HOME PHONE _______________________________________________
CELL PHONE ________________________________________________
E-MAIL ADDRESS ___________________________________________
RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION ____________________________________
ATTEND FULL DAY FOR $35.00 (church service, dinner and tour at museum) □
ATTEND CHURCH SERVICE ONLY (No charge) □
ATTEND MUSEUM ONLY (with meal) FOR $35.00 □
CHECK IF VEGETARIAN OPTION DESIRED FOR DINNER □
Questions??? Call Gail Katz, WISDOM President at 248-978-6664
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Happy New Year!!
Dear WISDOM Subscribers:
Our best wishes from the WISDOM Board of Directors for a Happy and Healthy 2008. May it be a year where we, as women, make progress toward a more peaceful world.
Please get your registrations in for the WISDOM Martin Luther King event on Sunday, January 20th. We look forward to a day of coming together at the Hartford Memorial Baptist Church for a prayer service in the African American Faith Tradition, and an interfaith gathering at the Charles Wright Museum of African American History.
We would also like to direct your attention to the World Sabbath for Religious Reconciliation on Sunday, January 27th at Christ Church Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM. This is a wonderful interfaith gathering for World Peace that involves our youth from various religious institutions around Metro Detroit. Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Baha’i, Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and Zoroastrian children will be making peace banners that will be woven into a peace quilt after the World Sabbath is over, and displayed at various religious institutions in Metro Detroit. We will have music and dance along with prayers for peace!! Check out the website at (www.wsdayofpeace.org). As soon as the brochure is ready, it will be sent out to all of you.
We would like to share the following prayer with all of you from Gather the Women. (http://www.gatherthewomen.org).
Dear Women of the World,
We are clearly entering a time when each of us is being asked to hold the human family in our tender care. Whether that holding is required in our personal lives or in the global theatre, the nurturance that is the biological heritage of women everywhere is sorely needed.
Yesterday, via our global nervous system, we witnessed the murder of a courageous Pakistani woman, Benazir Bhutto, who came forward to make a difference. Coming as it does at this time of the year, her death seems a talisman of what is to come as the world faces its issues and crises. Many of us can feel the choice as it presents itself to us in this moment… to turn toward fear, or to continue to believe in a positive future for us all.
Let us take the season to reaffirm our love for each other and for humanity, to join together in family and community wherever we are, however we may, and affirm our commonalities… the inherent value of our children, the beauty and abundance of nature, the love of life itself.
Now is the time more than ever to master our personal conflicts, to love deeply and whole-heartedly, to gather together and support each other as we seek to turn our crises into opportunities for change. We invite you to join us in holding a field of compassion and nurturance for humanity, today and throughout the coming year... to stretch beyond fear into the truth of who we are... one interconnected human family.
With deep appreciation for the many women everywhere who trust that human beings will overcome our local and global difficulties, with love and greatness and deep compassion for one another,
Gather the Women Global Matrix
Our best wishes from the WISDOM Board of Directors for a Happy and Healthy 2008. May it be a year where we, as women, make progress toward a more peaceful world.
Please get your registrations in for the WISDOM Martin Luther King event on Sunday, January 20th. We look forward to a day of coming together at the Hartford Memorial Baptist Church for a prayer service in the African American Faith Tradition, and an interfaith gathering at the Charles Wright Museum of African American History.
We would also like to direct your attention to the World Sabbath for Religious Reconciliation on Sunday, January 27th at Christ Church Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM. This is a wonderful interfaith gathering for World Peace that involves our youth from various religious institutions around Metro Detroit. Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Baha’i, Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and Zoroastrian children will be making peace banners that will be woven into a peace quilt after the World Sabbath is over, and displayed at various religious institutions in Metro Detroit. We will have music and dance along with prayers for peace!! Check out the website at (www.wsdayofpeace.org). As soon as the brochure is ready, it will be sent out to all of you.
We would like to share the following prayer with all of you from Gather the Women. (http://www.gatherthewomen.org).
Dear Women of the World,
We are clearly entering a time when each of us is being asked to hold the human family in our tender care. Whether that holding is required in our personal lives or in the global theatre, the nurturance that is the biological heritage of women everywhere is sorely needed.
Yesterday, via our global nervous system, we witnessed the murder of a courageous Pakistani woman, Benazir Bhutto, who came forward to make a difference. Coming as it does at this time of the year, her death seems a talisman of what is to come as the world faces its issues and crises. Many of us can feel the choice as it presents itself to us in this moment… to turn toward fear, or to continue to believe in a positive future for us all.
Let us take the season to reaffirm our love for each other and for humanity, to join together in family and community wherever we are, however we may, and affirm our commonalities… the inherent value of our children, the beauty and abundance of nature, the love of life itself.
Now is the time more than ever to master our personal conflicts, to love deeply and whole-heartedly, to gather together and support each other as we seek to turn our crises into opportunities for change. We invite you to join us in holding a field of compassion and nurturance for humanity, today and throughout the coming year... to stretch beyond fear into the truth of who we are... one interconnected human family.
With deep appreciation for the many women everywhere who trust that human beings will overcome our local and global difficulties, with love and greatness and deep compassion for one another,
Gather the Women Global Matrix
Thursday, December 20, 2007
An Interfaith Holiday Celebration
Dear WISDOM Subscribers:
The following article was sent to me by my interfaith soul mate, Sande Hart, founder of SARAH (Spiritual and Religious Alliance for Hope) in Orange County, California, and I thought I would share it with you. This interfaith holiday gathering took place in Israel, and brought Jews, Christians, and Muslims together to educate each other about their holidays. This is a great example of what we should think about for next year’s celebrations.
Gail Katz
WISDOM President
EID AL ADHA MUBARAK!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Happy Chanukah!!
The TRUST WIN CC and the Wasatia CC held a joint celebration for more than 40 Muslims, Christians, and Jews -- Israeli, Palestinians, Americans, Europeans -- of Hanukah, Eid Al Adha, and Christmas in Rafael Marrache's beautiful restored home in the narrow alley-ways of Yemin Moshe -- the first Jewish neighborhood built outside of the Old City almost 200 years ago. They were greeted by candles illuminating the path and the delicious food and classy ambiance. Michelle Katz, the Jewish Coordinator of the TRUST WIN assisted in creating a gracious and welcoming atmosphere -- even inviting the two local young musicians who assisted her to find the home to join us -- and they ended up playing music late into the night with lovely young women who had come with guitar, violin, and drums. Several different people who arrived late related separately that each felt enveloped by light, warmth, and happiness entering the crowded room.
Everyone ate potato pancakes and jelly doughnuts -- traditional Hanukah treats, while listening to Reva Unterman explain the history of the Maccabees vanquishing the Greeks in the Second Century BCE and restoring their Holy Temple in Jerusalem. There was a great miracle when the small amount of oil for rekindling the Eternal Light over the Holy Ark lasted for eight days. She said "This is a time when we have the potential to access something precious, it is a time of miracles, a time of experiencing primordial light created on the first day, on accessing what is deeply rooted in us.. the light we all hope that will bring peace to us all." Rebbitzin Emuna Witte shared words from Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach who taught that when you're lighting the Hanukah candles, it's as if you're standing in the Holy Temple. One secular Jewish women who shared that she normally does nothing on holidays -- was glowing with happiness to be celebrating holidays with everyone. An Orthodox rabbi shared about the universality of Hanukah stressing that our Temple one day will be a "house of prayer for all people". Everyone had an opportunity for personal sharing about their holiday -- many of the Jews speaking of the special beauty of all the different generations of the family lighting candles together and the public nature of the holiday -- where menorahs are lit in the shops, restaurants, streets.
Dr Mohamed Dajani, Director of Wasatia, spoke about the background of Eid Al Adha as the holiday commemorating when God asked Abraham/Ibrahim to sacrifice his son and the lamb being sent as a replacement. He spoke personally about his excitement as a young child to wake up very early on the holiday and put on all the new clothes that his parents had bought him for the holiday. Nadia related that even as a mother of teenagers, she still enjoys all of the new clothes. Haj Ibrahim spoke about all the preparations for the holiday -- cleaning and presents -- but that all the food must be cooked fresh on that day and not beforehand. Daniella translated for the young Palestinian friends she had brought and Mohammed, Yassir, and Ashraf spoke about how everyone is giving gifts of money to the children and slaughtering a lamb but only eating one third -- the other two thirds are given to the poor through special charity organizations that are set up to distribute the food. The Christians came from Belgium, Germany, Spain, and France -- and shared about Christmas and their excitement to be joined here by their families to go to Bethlehem for Christmas celebrations in the place where Jesus was born and the holiday originated.
And everyone spoke about the beauty and peace of sitting together as friends in a Jewish home and sharing our holidays together -- everyone mentioned the special and moving feeling of celebrating together, and were grateful for the opportunity to come together and began planning future gatherings in other homes in East and West Jerusalem. One woman said this is how it should be -- and we pointed out this is the way it is now -- we must enjoy and strengthen and increase these precious moments. We were so pleased to welcome our URI brothers and sisters from the Jerusalem Peacemakers CC, Abrahamic Reunion CC, and the Reut/Sedaka CC. One Jewish woman related later that now she was feeling so connected to Muslims after learning that they're celebrating a holiday connected to our Father Abraham. She was asking all the Muslims in her world about their holiday preparations and encouraging her neighbors to wish Arabs an Eid Mubarak. She is an example of being the change we want to see in the world.
I bless us all to have many wonderful holidays and occasions to celebrate together.
Love,
Elana
Elana Rozenman
Executive Director
TRUST - Emun
15 Naomi Street Jerusalem 93552 Israel
elana@trust-emun.org
Office: 972 26749698 Mobile: 972 522861779
The following article was sent to me by my interfaith soul mate, Sande Hart, founder of SARAH (Spiritual and Religious Alliance for Hope) in Orange County, California, and I thought I would share it with you. This interfaith holiday gathering took place in Israel, and brought Jews, Christians, and Muslims together to educate each other about their holidays. This is a great example of what we should think about for next year’s celebrations.
Gail Katz
WISDOM President
EID AL ADHA MUBARAK!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Happy Chanukah!!
The TRUST WIN CC and the Wasatia CC held a joint celebration for more than 40 Muslims, Christians, and Jews -- Israeli, Palestinians, Americans, Europeans -- of Hanukah, Eid Al Adha, and Christmas in Rafael Marrache's beautiful restored home in the narrow alley-ways of Yemin Moshe -- the first Jewish neighborhood built outside of the Old City almost 200 years ago. They were greeted by candles illuminating the path and the delicious food and classy ambiance. Michelle Katz, the Jewish Coordinator of the TRUST WIN assisted in creating a gracious and welcoming atmosphere -- even inviting the two local young musicians who assisted her to find the home to join us -- and they ended up playing music late into the night with lovely young women who had come with guitar, violin, and drums. Several different people who arrived late related separately that each felt enveloped by light, warmth, and happiness entering the crowded room.
Everyone ate potato pancakes and jelly doughnuts -- traditional Hanukah treats, while listening to Reva Unterman explain the history of the Maccabees vanquishing the Greeks in the Second Century BCE and restoring their Holy Temple in Jerusalem. There was a great miracle when the small amount of oil for rekindling the Eternal Light over the Holy Ark lasted for eight days. She said "This is a time when we have the potential to access something precious, it is a time of miracles, a time of experiencing primordial light created on the first day, on accessing what is deeply rooted in us.. the light we all hope that will bring peace to us all." Rebbitzin Emuna Witte shared words from Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach who taught that when you're lighting the Hanukah candles, it's as if you're standing in the Holy Temple. One secular Jewish women who shared that she normally does nothing on holidays -- was glowing with happiness to be celebrating holidays with everyone. An Orthodox rabbi shared about the universality of Hanukah stressing that our Temple one day will be a "house of prayer for all people". Everyone had an opportunity for personal sharing about their holiday -- many of the Jews speaking of the special beauty of all the different generations of the family lighting candles together and the public nature of the holiday -- where menorahs are lit in the shops, restaurants, streets.
Dr Mohamed Dajani, Director of Wasatia, spoke about the background of Eid Al Adha as the holiday commemorating when God asked Abraham/Ibrahim to sacrifice his son and the lamb being sent as a replacement. He spoke personally about his excitement as a young child to wake up very early on the holiday and put on all the new clothes that his parents had bought him for the holiday. Nadia related that even as a mother of teenagers, she still enjoys all of the new clothes. Haj Ibrahim spoke about all the preparations for the holiday -- cleaning and presents -- but that all the food must be cooked fresh on that day and not beforehand. Daniella translated for the young Palestinian friends she had brought and Mohammed, Yassir, and Ashraf spoke about how everyone is giving gifts of money to the children and slaughtering a lamb but only eating one third -- the other two thirds are given to the poor through special charity organizations that are set up to distribute the food. The Christians came from Belgium, Germany, Spain, and France -- and shared about Christmas and their excitement to be joined here by their families to go to Bethlehem for Christmas celebrations in the place where Jesus was born and the holiday originated.
And everyone spoke about the beauty and peace of sitting together as friends in a Jewish home and sharing our holidays together -- everyone mentioned the special and moving feeling of celebrating together, and were grateful for the opportunity to come together and began planning future gatherings in other homes in East and West Jerusalem. One woman said this is how it should be -- and we pointed out this is the way it is now -- we must enjoy and strengthen and increase these precious moments. We were so pleased to welcome our URI brothers and sisters from the Jerusalem Peacemakers CC, Abrahamic Reunion CC, and the Reut/Sedaka CC. One Jewish woman related later that now she was feeling so connected to Muslims after learning that they're celebrating a holiday connected to our Father Abraham. She was asking all the Muslims in her world about their holiday preparations and encouraging her neighbors to wish Arabs an Eid Mubarak. She is an example of being the change we want to see in the world.
I bless us all to have many wonderful holidays and occasions to celebrate together.
Love,
Elana
Elana Rozenman
Executive Director
TRUST - Emun
15 Naomi Street Jerusalem 93552 Israel
elana@trust-emun.org
Office: 972 26749698 Mobile: 972 522861779
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Islam in the News in Metro Detroit
Dear WISDOM Subscribers:
I thought I would share with you two news items about Islam. One is an article about Muslim children learning about the Hajj (Pilgimage to Mecca), the completion of which is celebrated today during a festival called Eid Al-Adha. The other is about an interfaith opportunity to learn about Islam. Please see below.
Gail Katz
WISDOM President
EXPLORING ANOTHER FAITH – ISLAM
In an attempt to better understand our sisters of other faiths, Presbyterian Women will on Saturday, January 19, 2008, visit a mosque (the house of worship for muslims), enjoy fellowship with each other over a middle eastern meal, and finish with dessert at a reknowned bakery and café.
If you would like to join the Presbyterian Women, meet at the Allen Park Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 7101 Park Ave. at Cleveland at 9:45 a.m. to carpool and caravan to the Islamic Center of America, 19500 Ford Road (just west of Southfield Freeway) in Dearborn. The existing Islamic Center represents the first two of four phases of construction. When all four phases are complete, the Islamic Center of America will be the largest in North America. It is customary for women to cover their heads, and shoes to be removed before entering their sanctuary.
From the Islamic Center, we will proceed to lunch at Al-Ameer Restaurant, 12710 W. Warren Ave., also in Dearborn for a family style sampling of Lebanese and middle eastern cuisine. Cost will be approximately $8.00 including tax and tip. You may also order separately from the menu if you wish.
To finish our exploration, we will have dessert at the Shatila Bakery & Café, 14300 W. Warren Ave., Dearborn. Cost there will depend upon whether you want to pay with money or your wasteline. $1.40 for one scoop of luscious ice cream, or really splurging on high calorie middle eastern or French pastries — it’s up to you! Sugar free items are also available.
Expect to arrive back in Allen Park mid-afternoon. If you would like to join the Presbyterian Women for this day of exploring the Islamic faith and culture, even if you’re not a woman, please let us know by calling our church office at (313) 383-0100, or stopping in to sign up.
Suggested resources of interest:
Websites:
www.icofa.com
www.alameerrestaurant.com
www.shatila.com
www.interfaithwisdom.org
Book: “The Faith Club” by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver, and Priscilla Warner published by Simon & Schuster New York
Video/DVD: “Three Faiths, One God: Judaism, Christianity, Islam” directed by Gerald Krell, ASIN: B000BN
DEARBORN
Kids learn hajj by doing
Ceremony grows as it teaches Islamic basics
December 19, 2007
BY NIRAJ WARIKOO
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
Held at the Islamic Center of America, the ceremony was a vivid display of the growing role that Islamic education plays in the lives of many young metro Detroiters.
About 360 students, ages 3 to 14, recited Islamic prayers and walked around the Kaaba seven times. They later hurled crumpled pieces of foil -- representing pebbles used during the real hajj in Saudi Arabia -- at three pillars that symbolized the devil.
"What a beautiful scene," Salah Hazime, 53, of Dearborn said as he watched his 8-year-old son walk.
The children are students at the Muslim American Youth Academy, which is affiliated with the Islamic Center, a Shi'ite mosque that is one of the largest in the United States.
In recent years, the number of students participating in the ceremony has increased, reflecting the Muslim community's growth and the importance parents place on teaching Islam to their children.
"They have been practicing for the past month on a daily basis," Fiema said. "They get so excited."
"I feel great going around the Kaaba," said Fiema's daughter, Sarah Bazzi.
Contact NIRAJ WARIKOO at 248-351-2998 or warikoo@freepress.com.
Dressed in white flowing robes, hundreds of young Muslims praised God as they walked through a Dearborn mosque in a simulation of the Islamic pilgrimage under way in Saudi Arabia.
"It makes you want to cry," Tamara Fiema of Dearborn said Tuesday after her 7-year-old daughter encircled a replication of the Kaaba -- the black cube in Mecca that Muslims consider a holy site.
Muslim American Youth Academy students walk seven times around a replication of the Kaaba, a Muslim holy site, during a simulation of hajj Tuesday. The ceremony took place at the Islamic Center of America. "They have been practicing for the past month," says parent Tamara Fiema.
A primer on hajj
What is it? It's the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
Why it's important: Pilgrims go to pray in Mecca, Islam's holiest site, which Muslims face during daily prayers.
Who goes: It's a duty for able-bodied Muslims to complete at least once in their lifetimes.
I thought I would share with you two news items about Islam. One is an article about Muslim children learning about the Hajj (Pilgimage to Mecca), the completion of which is celebrated today during a festival called Eid Al-Adha. The other is about an interfaith opportunity to learn about Islam. Please see below.
Gail Katz
WISDOM President
EXPLORING ANOTHER FAITH – ISLAM
In an attempt to better understand our sisters of other faiths, Presbyterian Women will on Saturday, January 19, 2008, visit a mosque (the house of worship for muslims), enjoy fellowship with each other over a middle eastern meal, and finish with dessert at a reknowned bakery and café.
If you would like to join the Presbyterian Women, meet at the Allen Park Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 7101 Park Ave. at Cleveland at 9:45 a.m. to carpool and caravan to the Islamic Center of America, 19500 Ford Road (just west of Southfield Freeway) in Dearborn. The existing Islamic Center represents the first two of four phases of construction. When all four phases are complete, the Islamic Center of America will be the largest in North America. It is customary for women to cover their heads, and shoes to be removed before entering their sanctuary.
From the Islamic Center, we will proceed to lunch at Al-Ameer Restaurant, 12710 W. Warren Ave., also in Dearborn for a family style sampling of Lebanese and middle eastern cuisine. Cost will be approximately $8.00 including tax and tip. You may also order separately from the menu if you wish.
To finish our exploration, we will have dessert at the Shatila Bakery & Café, 14300 W. Warren Ave., Dearborn. Cost there will depend upon whether you want to pay with money or your wasteline. $1.40 for one scoop of luscious ice cream, or really splurging on high calorie middle eastern or French pastries — it’s up to you! Sugar free items are also available.
Expect to arrive back in Allen Park mid-afternoon. If you would like to join the Presbyterian Women for this day of exploring the Islamic faith and culture, even if you’re not a woman, please let us know by calling our church office at (313) 383-0100, or stopping in to sign up.
Suggested resources of interest:
Websites:
www.icofa.com
www.alameerrestaurant.com
www.shatila.com
www.interfaithwisdom.org
Book: “The Faith Club” by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver, and Priscilla Warner published by Simon & Schuster New York
Video/DVD: “Three Faiths, One God: Judaism, Christianity, Islam” directed by Gerald Krell, ASIN: B000BN
DEARBORN
Kids learn hajj by doing
Ceremony grows as it teaches Islamic basics
December 19, 2007
BY NIRAJ WARIKOO
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
Held at the Islamic Center of America, the ceremony was a vivid display of the growing role that Islamic education plays in the lives of many young metro Detroiters.
About 360 students, ages 3 to 14, recited Islamic prayers and walked around the Kaaba seven times. They later hurled crumpled pieces of foil -- representing pebbles used during the real hajj in Saudi Arabia -- at three pillars that symbolized the devil.
"What a beautiful scene," Salah Hazime, 53, of Dearborn said as he watched his 8-year-old son walk.
The children are students at the Muslim American Youth Academy, which is affiliated with the Islamic Center, a Shi'ite mosque that is one of the largest in the United States.
In recent years, the number of students participating in the ceremony has increased, reflecting the Muslim community's growth and the importance parents place on teaching Islam to their children.
"They have been practicing for the past month on a daily basis," Fiema said. "They get so excited."
"I feel great going around the Kaaba," said Fiema's daughter, Sarah Bazzi.
Contact NIRAJ WARIKOO at 248-351-2998 or warikoo@freepress.com.
Dressed in white flowing robes, hundreds of young Muslims praised God as they walked through a Dearborn mosque in a simulation of the Islamic pilgrimage under way in Saudi Arabia.
"It makes you want to cry," Tamara Fiema of Dearborn said Tuesday after her 7-year-old daughter encircled a replication of the Kaaba -- the black cube in Mecca that Muslims consider a holy site.
Muslim American Youth Academy students walk seven times around a replication of the Kaaba, a Muslim holy site, during a simulation of hajj Tuesday. The ceremony took place at the Islamic Center of America. "They have been practicing for the past month," says parent Tamara Fiema.
A primer on hajj
What is it? It's the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
Why it's important: Pilgrims go to pray in Mecca, Islam's holiest site, which Muslims face during daily prayers.
Who goes: It's a duty for able-bodied Muslims to complete at least once in their lifetimes.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!
Dear WISDOM subscribers:
We at WISDOM would like to wish a very merry Christmas to all of our Christian friends.
And to our Muslim friends we would like to wish everyone a healthy and happy Eid Al-Adha. On December 19th, Muslims all over the world will celebrate this holiday.
Eid Al-Adha is celebrated at the end of the Hajj. The Hajj is a religious pilgrimage taken during the last month of the Islamic year. It is a pilgrimage to Mecca. The pilgrimage to Mecca (in Saudi Arabia) is an obligation to all Muslims to be performed at least once a year. The Hajj consists of traveling to Mecca, Medina, Mina, the Plain of Arafat, and Muzdalifah. The total travel time is generally 5 days. Newcomers to Mecca stop at Miquat to wash, pray, and put on an Ihram, which is two pieces of white cloth that is draped around the body. This article of clothing is a must to enter into Mecca while on the Hajj. Eid Al-Adha is celebrated by everyone, not just those who have completed the Hajj.
This festival represents the day when Abraham was ready to sacrifice his son in the name of God. Allah gave the gift of a ram in place of Ishmael, Abraham’s son.
On Eid Al-Adha, families that can afford it sacrifice an animal such as a sheep, goat, camel or cow, and then divide the meat among themselves, the poor, friends and neighbors. Eid Al-Adha is a public holiday in Muslim countries. It begins with communal prayer at daybreak of its first day, which takes place at the local mosque. Worshippers wear their finest clothes for the occasion. It is also a time for visiting friends and family and for exchanging gifts.
AND TO EVERYONE WE WISH YOU A HAPPY AND HEALTHY 2008!!
WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THE WISDOM JANUARY 20TH MARTIN LUTHER KING CELEBRATION AT THE HARTFORD MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH IN DETROIT, AND THE CHARLES WRIGHT MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY.
THE WISDOM BOARD OF DIRECTORS
We at WISDOM would like to wish a very merry Christmas to all of our Christian friends.
And to our Muslim friends we would like to wish everyone a healthy and happy Eid Al-Adha. On December 19th, Muslims all over the world will celebrate this holiday.
Eid Al-Adha is celebrated at the end of the Hajj. The Hajj is a religious pilgrimage taken during the last month of the Islamic year. It is a pilgrimage to Mecca. The pilgrimage to Mecca (in Saudi Arabia) is an obligation to all Muslims to be performed at least once a year. The Hajj consists of traveling to Mecca, Medina, Mina, the Plain of Arafat, and Muzdalifah. The total travel time is generally 5 days. Newcomers to Mecca stop at Miquat to wash, pray, and put on an Ihram, which is two pieces of white cloth that is draped around the body. This article of clothing is a must to enter into Mecca while on the Hajj. Eid Al-Adha is celebrated by everyone, not just those who have completed the Hajj.
This festival represents the day when Abraham was ready to sacrifice his son in the name of God. Allah gave the gift of a ram in place of Ishmael, Abraham’s son.
On Eid Al-Adha, families that can afford it sacrifice an animal such as a sheep, goat, camel or cow, and then divide the meat among themselves, the poor, friends and neighbors. Eid Al-Adha is a public holiday in Muslim countries. It begins with communal prayer at daybreak of its first day, which takes place at the local mosque. Worshippers wear their finest clothes for the occasion. It is also a time for visiting friends and family and for exchanging gifts.
AND TO EVERYONE WE WISH YOU A HAPPY AND HEALTHY 2008!!
WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THE WISDOM JANUARY 20TH MARTIN LUTHER KING CELEBRATION AT THE HARTFORD MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH IN DETROIT, AND THE CHARLES WRIGHT MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY.
THE WISDOM BOARD OF DIRECTORS
WISDOM's January 20th, 2008 event
Celebrating the Life and Legacy of
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Join WISDOM On
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2008
For a Day of Celebration & Reflection
Worship Service: 11:00AM
HARTFORD MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH
18700 James Couzens Detroit, Michigan 48235
(Off John C. Lodge service drive and 7 Mile)
Pastor: Rev. Dr. Charles G. Adams
Exhibit Tour and Dinner: 1:30PM—5:00PM
CHARLES WRIGHT MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY
315 E. Warren Detroit, MI 48201
Permanet Exhibit - The journey begins in prehistoric Africa, the cradle of human life. Guests then witness several ancient and early modern civilizations that evolved on the continent. Crossing the Atlantic Ocean, they experience the tragedy of the middle passage and encounter those who resisted the horrors of bondage, emancipated themselves and sometimes took flight by way of the Underground Railroad. Throughout this trip, the efforts of everyday men and women who built families, businesses, educational institutions, spiritual traditions, civic organizations and a legacy of freedom and justice in past and present-day Detroit are hailed. What an awesome journey!
Visiting Exhibit: Soul Sanctuary is an exhibition that captures the essence and rhythms of the black church. Over the course of ten years, photographer Jason Miccolo Johnson traversed the country, visiting large “mega-churches,” and small “store-front” churches. During that time he took more than 15,000 black and white images of which 75 are included in the exhibition and the companion book
COST FOR MUSUEM TOUR & DINNER
(catering by Brown Bag Catering) $35.00
REGISTRATION FORM FOR JANUARY 20TH EVENT
PLEASE MAKE YOUR $35 CHECK OUT TO
WISDOM
(A portion of your check will be tax-deductible)
AND MAIL TO:
MICHIGAN ROUNDTABLE
FOR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
ATTN: FREDA SAMPSON/WISDOM
525 New Center One
3031 W. Grand Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48202-3025
Please get all registrations and checks mailed to Freda by January 15th
Carpools encouraged – parking limited at the church!!
Public Parking lot available at the museum.
Feel free to register for just the museum if you cannot
make it to the church service.
NAME _______________________________________________________
STREET ____________________________________________________
CITY _______________________________________________________
ZIP CODE ___________________________________________________
HOME PHONE _______________________________________________
CELL PHONE ________________________________________________
E-MAIL ADDRESS ___________________________________________
RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION ____________________________________
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Join WISDOM On
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2008
For a Day of Celebration & Reflection
Worship Service: 11:00AM
HARTFORD MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH
18700 James Couzens Detroit, Michigan 48235
(Off John C. Lodge service drive and 7 Mile)
Pastor: Rev. Dr. Charles G. Adams
Exhibit Tour and Dinner: 1:30PM—5:00PM
CHARLES WRIGHT MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY
315 E. Warren Detroit, MI 48201
Permanet Exhibit - The journey begins in prehistoric Africa, the cradle of human life. Guests then witness several ancient and early modern civilizations that evolved on the continent. Crossing the Atlantic Ocean, they experience the tragedy of the middle passage and encounter those who resisted the horrors of bondage, emancipated themselves and sometimes took flight by way of the Underground Railroad. Throughout this trip, the efforts of everyday men and women who built families, businesses, educational institutions, spiritual traditions, civic organizations and a legacy of freedom and justice in past and present-day Detroit are hailed. What an awesome journey!
Visiting Exhibit: Soul Sanctuary is an exhibition that captures the essence and rhythms of the black church. Over the course of ten years, photographer Jason Miccolo Johnson traversed the country, visiting large “mega-churches,” and small “store-front” churches. During that time he took more than 15,000 black and white images of which 75 are included in the exhibition and the companion book
COST FOR MUSUEM TOUR & DINNER
(catering by Brown Bag Catering) $35.00
REGISTRATION FORM FOR JANUARY 20TH EVENT
PLEASE MAKE YOUR $35 CHECK OUT TO
WISDOM
(A portion of your check will be tax-deductible)
AND MAIL TO:
MICHIGAN ROUNDTABLE
FOR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
ATTN: FREDA SAMPSON/WISDOM
525 New Center One
3031 W. Grand Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48202-3025
Please get all registrations and checks mailed to Freda by January 15th
Carpools encouraged – parking limited at the church!!
Public Parking lot available at the museum.
Feel free to register for just the museum if you cannot
make it to the church service.
NAME _______________________________________________________
STREET ____________________________________________________
CITY _______________________________________________________
ZIP CODE ___________________________________________________
HOME PHONE _______________________________________________
CELL PHONE ________________________________________________
E-MAIL ADDRESS ___________________________________________
RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION ____________________________________
ATTEND FULL DAY FOR $35.00 (church service, dinner and tour at museum) □
ATTEND CHURCH SERVICE ONLY (No charge) □
ATTEND MUSEUM ONLY (with meal) FOR $35.00 □
CHECK IF VEGETARIAN OPTION DESIRED FOR DINNER □
Questions??? Call Gail Katz, WISDOM President at 248-978-6664
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Interfaith Retreat - All WISDOM Women welcome!!
Dear WISDOM Subscribers,
There is a wonderful opportunity coming up to participate in an Interfaith Retreat from Sunday February 17th starting at 2:00 PM through Monday, February 18th ending at 2:00 PM. The retreat is sponsored by the Interfaith Partners of the Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion (of which I am a proud member and plan to participate). The retreat will be held at St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat Center at 23333 Schoolcraft in Detroit. The cost is $55.00. The Registration deadline is on February 4th, 2008. The retreat is limited to 40 people, so if you are interested, register soon!! Kosher, Halal and vegetarian meals will be offered, and prayer times for all faiths will be honored in the schedule. To register please contact the Rev. Sharon Buttry (WISDOM secretary) at Sharon_buttry@yahoo.com or (586) 943-7259. What a wonderful opportunity for WISDOM women to get to know people of different faiths by spending quality time together, and sharing our stories.
The registration form for the retreat is below.
I look forward to sharing with some of you on February 17th and 18th!!
Gail Katz
WISDOM President
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
NAME____________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS ________________________________________________________________
CITY/ZIP_________________________________________________________________
E-MAIL__________________________________________________________________
PHONE ____________________ CELL PHONE ___________________
I plan on spending the night at the Retreat Center. (All rooms are private, with
private bath). Single bed room Double bed room
I will attend as a daytime participant only.
NOTE: All meals and snacks are kosher, halal, and/ or vegetarian.
PAYMENT OPTIONS: $55.00 per Participant:
1. BY CHECK: In the amount of $55.00 made out to MRDI with ”IFP Retreat” on the
memo line.
2. CREDIT CARD PAYMENT BY PHONE: Please call Sharon Buttry (586) 943-7259
3. CREDIT CARD PAYMENT BY MAIL VISA ____ MASTERCARD _____
NUMBER ______________________________________ EXP. DATE ______________
SIGNATURE ______________________________________________________________
My signature authorizes the payment of $55.oo U.S. for Retreat Registration to MRDI.
St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat Center
23333 Schoolcraft, Detroit, MI 48223-2405
The Center is located on the south side of I-96
(Schoolcraft) one quarter mile east of Telegraph,
between Telegraph and Outer Drive.
Directions will be sent with Registration Confirmation.
MAIL CHECK OR
CREDIT CARD PAYMENT
BY FEBRARY 4, 2008 TO:
IFP RETREAT
REV. SHARON A. BUTTRY
12101 JOSEPH CAMPAU
HAMTRAMCK, MI 48212
(586) 943-7259
INTERFAITH
PARTNERS RETREAT
February 17, 2008 2 PM – February 18, 2008 2 PM
St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat Center
23333 Schoolcraft, Detroit, MI 48223
Happy Chanukah
Dear WISDOM Subscribers:
I would like to wish all of our Jewish women of WISDOM a very happy Chanukah which begins at sundown tonight.
I would also like to share with you David Crumm’s most recent Read the Spirit column about Chanukah, and one of our WISDOM Board of Directors, Brenda Rosenberg. You can read David’s Crumm’s online column by going to
www.ReadTheSpirit.com/explore/
I look forward to seeing all of you on January 20th at our next WISDOM event. Stay tuned for more details.
Gail Katz
WISDOM President
December 03, 2007
052: What are you reading for Hanukkah?
"What else can we do to build bridges?" That’s the question that peace activist Brenda Rosenberg asks herself every day –- and, from our perspective here at ReadTheSpirit, that alone is an inspiring personal story to hear on the eve of Hanukkah. We’ll tell you more about Brenda’s work –- but, first, a word about Hanukkah:
The Festival of Lights starts at sundown Tuesday evening. It’s considered a minor celebration in the Jewish calendar, but it has taken on much greater significance in the 20th Century for a couple of reasons:
One reason is practical: Hanukkah sometimes is lifted up as a Jewish alternative to the Christmas season –- a time for Jewish children to receive year-end gifts and a time for neighbors and co-workers to exchange year-end holiday greetings in a religiously diverse way. Retailers have jumped onto the diversity bandwagon in recent years, as we all can see this time of year. It’s the second reason that’s more important to us: Hanukkah is a celebration of religious liberty and the freedom to fully proclaim one’s religious identity in the world. The story from more than 2,000 years ago, in a nutshell, is that Judaism was threatened with extinction by a ruthless ruler. This ruler was forcefully replacing Jewish religious practices and culture with Greek-inspired culture. Judaism itself was endangered. Finally, a brave band of Jewish loyalists reclaimed the temple in Jerusalem and re-lit the temple lights. Not only was this a heroic moment for religious freedom –- but, as Christians and Muslims, if the story of Hanukkah had not unfolded, then we wouldn’t have had an environment for Jesus to emerge eventually -– as a savior for Christians and as a great prophet for Muslims. So, as Christians and Muslims, we’ve actually got a tiny share in this traditional Jewish celebration, as well. AND, hopefully, whatever our faith may be, we all can agree that the world is a better place when we are free to express ourselves religiously. That's the basic message celebrated in this holiday season today. It was true thousands of years ago. And it’s profoundly true now.
That brings us back to Brenda Rosenberg’s story, because all of Brenda’s work is focused on shaping our various religious expressions to build stronger communities, not to destroy them. Her latest idea –- which she developed with the Michigan Chapter of the American Jewish Committee –- is shaping up as a tremendous pilot program that could be picked up by communities all across the U.S. and, potentially, around the world. It’s called Building Bridges Through Books. Now, as the founding Editor of ReadTheSpirit, I have to say: I know! I know! That sounds like our motto at ReadTheSpirit -- building bridges through books!
But, Brenda has a fresh approach to this idea. She has raised money to purchase sets of books (she refers to this as "a small Jewish library") that she presents to Muslim leaders who welcome this addition to their congregational libraries. This is a natural bridge to build -– because Islam has a rich tradition in the literary arts. Islamic book design and calligraphy always rank among the world’s cultural treasures in any complete overview of world history. Even if we are not Muslim ourselves, we collectively have Muslim scholars to thank, some centuries ago, for preserving major portions of our human knowledge in books about about math, science, geography and other disciplines. So, building a bridge by giving Jewish books to a people steeped in the rich heritage of the literary arts –- well, it’s a brilliant connection to make.
This isn’t the only thing Brenda does –- and this is another reason that she represents an important spark of light in the interfaith realm. "The reason that I ask myself that question about building bridges every single day is this: There’s never one answer to bringing peace and understanding into our world," Brenda told me in an interview about her book program. "People’s hearts are opened in different ways," she said. "Some people find it very easy to do service projects together like building for Habitat for Humanity or feeding the hungry. Other people like to study together and find their real connections through scholarship. Other people connect through the arts. Others like to talk face to face with another person. "Not too many people want to do all of those things. So, we need to find lots of different strategies to connect people." And these libraries of Jewish books –- just waiting there on the shelves of Muslim centers for people to thumb through the books and learn about Judaism at their own pace –- is a great new strategy.
ALSO –- Throughout this week, as Hanukkah starts, we’ll be celebrating Jewish faith and culture. Later this month, we’ll be celebrating Christmas on ReadTheSpirit, as well. And -– in January –- do not miss our special month-long series –- and our first book published by ReadTheSpirit -- in the 1st Annual National Interfaith Heroes Month! It’s January 1 through 31, 2008, and you won’t want to miss this historic observance!
I would like to wish all of our Jewish women of WISDOM a very happy Chanukah which begins at sundown tonight.
I would also like to share with you David Crumm’s most recent Read the Spirit column about Chanukah, and one of our WISDOM Board of Directors, Brenda Rosenberg. You can read David’s Crumm’s online column by going to
www.ReadTheSpirit.com/explore/
I look forward to seeing all of you on January 20th at our next WISDOM event. Stay tuned for more details.
Gail Katz
WISDOM President
December 03, 2007
052: What are you reading for Hanukkah?
"What else can we do to build bridges?" That’s the question that peace activist Brenda Rosenberg asks herself every day –- and, from our perspective here at ReadTheSpirit, that alone is an inspiring personal story to hear on the eve of Hanukkah. We’ll tell you more about Brenda’s work –- but, first, a word about Hanukkah:
The Festival of Lights starts at sundown Tuesday evening. It’s considered a minor celebration in the Jewish calendar, but it has taken on much greater significance in the 20th Century for a couple of reasons:
One reason is practical: Hanukkah sometimes is lifted up as a Jewish alternative to the Christmas season –- a time for Jewish children to receive year-end gifts and a time for neighbors and co-workers to exchange year-end holiday greetings in a religiously diverse way. Retailers have jumped onto the diversity bandwagon in recent years, as we all can see this time of year. It’s the second reason that’s more important to us: Hanukkah is a celebration of religious liberty and the freedom to fully proclaim one’s religious identity in the world. The story from more than 2,000 years ago, in a nutshell, is that Judaism was threatened with extinction by a ruthless ruler. This ruler was forcefully replacing Jewish religious practices and culture with Greek-inspired culture. Judaism itself was endangered. Finally, a brave band of Jewish loyalists reclaimed the temple in Jerusalem and re-lit the temple lights. Not only was this a heroic moment for religious freedom –- but, as Christians and Muslims, if the story of Hanukkah had not unfolded, then we wouldn’t have had an environment for Jesus to emerge eventually -– as a savior for Christians and as a great prophet for Muslims. So, as Christians and Muslims, we’ve actually got a tiny share in this traditional Jewish celebration, as well. AND, hopefully, whatever our faith may be, we all can agree that the world is a better place when we are free to express ourselves religiously. That's the basic message celebrated in this holiday season today. It was true thousands of years ago. And it’s profoundly true now.
That brings us back to Brenda Rosenberg’s story, because all of Brenda’s work is focused on shaping our various religious expressions to build stronger communities, not to destroy them. Her latest idea –- which she developed with the Michigan Chapter of the American Jewish Committee –- is shaping up as a tremendous pilot program that could be picked up by communities all across the U.S. and, potentially, around the world. It’s called Building Bridges Through Books. Now, as the founding Editor of ReadTheSpirit, I have to say: I know! I know! That sounds like our motto at ReadTheSpirit -- building bridges through books!
But, Brenda has a fresh approach to this idea. She has raised money to purchase sets of books (she refers to this as "a small Jewish library") that she presents to Muslim leaders who welcome this addition to their congregational libraries. This is a natural bridge to build -– because Islam has a rich tradition in the literary arts. Islamic book design and calligraphy always rank among the world’s cultural treasures in any complete overview of world history. Even if we are not Muslim ourselves, we collectively have Muslim scholars to thank, some centuries ago, for preserving major portions of our human knowledge in books about about math, science, geography and other disciplines. So, building a bridge by giving Jewish books to a people steeped in the rich heritage of the literary arts –- well, it’s a brilliant connection to make.
This isn’t the only thing Brenda does –- and this is another reason that she represents an important spark of light in the interfaith realm. "The reason that I ask myself that question about building bridges every single day is this: There’s never one answer to bringing peace and understanding into our world," Brenda told me in an interview about her book program. "People’s hearts are opened in different ways," she said. "Some people find it very easy to do service projects together like building for Habitat for Humanity or feeding the hungry. Other people like to study together and find their real connections through scholarship. Other people connect through the arts. Others like to talk face to face with another person. "Not too many people want to do all of those things. So, we need to find lots of different strategies to connect people." And these libraries of Jewish books –- just waiting there on the shelves of Muslim centers for people to thumb through the books and learn about Judaism at their own pace –- is a great new strategy.
ALSO –- Throughout this week, as Hanukkah starts, we’ll be celebrating Jewish faith and culture. Later this month, we’ll be celebrating Christmas on ReadTheSpirit, as well. And -– in January –- do not miss our special month-long series –- and our first book published by ReadTheSpirit -- in the 1st Annual National Interfaith Heroes Month! It’s January 1 through 31, 2008, and you won’t want to miss this historic observance!
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