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.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
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!
Sunday, November 25, 2007
WISDOM News on November 25, 2007
Dear WISDOM Subscribers:
WISDOM hopes that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. It’s hard to believe that it’s almost December!!
For your information, there is a wonderful program on NPR entitled “Speaking of Faith” with Christa Tippet on Sunday morning at 7:00 AM. If you are not up at that early hour you can access the programs on their website http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/ . The most recent program had to do with a Hindu scientist!!
Below are the WISDOM interfaith programs in the works!!
“Soul Sanctuary – Exploring the African American Spiritual Experience”
Sunday, January 20th, 2008
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Services at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church, 18700 James Couzens Fwy. Detroit 48235
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Dinner at the Charles Wright African American History Museum
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM Viewing of “Soul Sanctuary” and “And Still We Rise” Exhibits at the museum followed by Discussion
We will be arranging carpools from various points in Metro Detroit. The cost for the dinner and the admission to the museum is still to be determined. Stay tuned!!
Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for a very special day.
The World Sabbath for Religious Reconciliation
An Interfaith Service for World Peace
Sunday, January 27, 2008 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Led by children of many faiths from the religious institutions in Metro Detroit, at Christ Church Cranbrook, 470 Church Road in Bloomfield Hills. Program and details will be forthcoming. You won’t want to miss this uplifting program, filled with prayer, music and dance, showcasing the Children of Peace and their peace banners that will be made into a Children’s Peace Quilt and displayed at various religious institutions in Metro Detroit. The annual World Sabbath Peace Award will be presented to Thomas and Susan Cucuzza and Robert Cucuzza who produced and directed “The Armed Man: A Concert for Peace”.
WISDOM/Congregation Beth Shalom Educational Day about Judaism
Sunday, March 30, 2008
14601 Lincoln, Oak Park
Details to be announced soon
Peace Through WISDOM – a joint program with Peace X Peace
Sunday, May 18, 2008
St. John’s Episcopal Church in Royal Oak
Forming Sister Circles to connect with women around the globe
Details to be announced soon
WISDOM hopes that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. It’s hard to believe that it’s almost December!!
For your information, there is a wonderful program on NPR entitled “Speaking of Faith” with Christa Tippet on Sunday morning at 7:00 AM. If you are not up at that early hour you can access the programs on their website http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/ . The most recent program had to do with a Hindu scientist!!
Below are the WISDOM interfaith programs in the works!!
“Soul Sanctuary – Exploring the African American Spiritual Experience”
Sunday, January 20th, 2008
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Services at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church, 18700 James Couzens Fwy. Detroit 48235
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Dinner at the Charles Wright African American History Museum
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM Viewing of “Soul Sanctuary” and “And Still We Rise” Exhibits at the museum followed by Discussion
We will be arranging carpools from various points in Metro Detroit. The cost for the dinner and the admission to the museum is still to be determined. Stay tuned!!
Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for a very special day.
The World Sabbath for Religious Reconciliation
An Interfaith Service for World Peace
Sunday, January 27, 2008 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Led by children of many faiths from the religious institutions in Metro Detroit, at Christ Church Cranbrook, 470 Church Road in Bloomfield Hills. Program and details will be forthcoming. You won’t want to miss this uplifting program, filled with prayer, music and dance, showcasing the Children of Peace and their peace banners that will be made into a Children’s Peace Quilt and displayed at various religious institutions in Metro Detroit. The annual World Sabbath Peace Award will be presented to Thomas and Susan Cucuzza and Robert Cucuzza who produced and directed “The Armed Man: A Concert for Peace”.
WISDOM/Congregation Beth Shalom Educational Day about Judaism
Sunday, March 30, 2008
14601 Lincoln, Oak Park
Details to be announced soon
Peace Through WISDOM – a joint program with Peace X Peace
Sunday, May 18, 2008
St. John’s Episcopal Church in Royal Oak
Forming Sister Circles to connect with women around the globe
Details to be announced soon
Monday, November 12, 2007
WISDOM News for November 2007
Dear WISDOM Subscribers:
Here is an update of WISDOM activities for November, 2007. This is a reminder that The Faith Club authors will present on Tuesday, November 13th at 7:00 PM at the Book Fair at the West Bloomfield Jewish Community Center - 6600 W. Maple. Gail Katz, president of WISDOM, will be introducing the three authors and Brenda Rosenberg from Pathways to Peace and a new WISDOM board member will be giving the closing remarks. The authors will be signing books following their presentation. At the end of this e-mail is a copy of the article that appeared in today’s Detroit News about The Faith Club authors and WISDOM.
Upcoming events include the following:
1) WISDOM women are invited to attend an Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 7:30 PM at the Sikh Gurdwara Sahib, 40600 Schoolcraft R. in Plymouth, MI. For more information call 734-420-1718.
2) WISDOM’s next event “Soul Sanctuary – Exploring the African American Spiritual Experience” will be on Sunday, January 20th, 2008. From 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM we are invited to attend services at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church at 18700 James Couzens Freeway in Detroit (313-861-1300). From 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM we will share a soul food dinner at the Charles Wright African American Museum. From 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM we will view the photography exhibit called “Soul Sanctuary” and the permanent exhibit entitled “And Still We Rise” at the museum, followed by discussion. Mark your calendars. More details will be forthcoming!!
3) On Sunday, January 27th, 2008 from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM at Christ Church Cranbrook, 470 Church Rd. in Bloomfield Hills, the Ninth Annual World Sabbath for Religious Reconciliation will take place. This annual call for prayers for peace in different faith traditions will feature our youth from different religious institutions in the area, and the Children of Peace will be displaying their peace banners which will be woven into a peace quilt to be displayed at various religious institutions around Metro Detroit. Please mark your calendars for this very spiritual and uplifting event.
4) On Sunday, March 30th, 2008 the Sisterhood of Congregation Beth Shalom, 14601 Lincoln in Oak Park, will put together a day of learning about Judaism and invite WISDOM women to come to the synagogue to take part in their educational and inspirational event.
Here is the article that appeared in the Monday, November 12th edition of the Detroit News.
Interfaith book shatters barriers, fosters dialogue
Gregg Krupa / The Detroit News
After the national trauma of Sept. 11, 2001, three women decided to write a children's book about similarities among their faiths -- Judaism, Islam and Christianity. But Priscilla Warner, Ranya Idliby and Suzanne Oliver say they discovered they needed to fight about some things before they could work together. "Who's going to go to heaven? What does it mean to be in a temple, a church or a mosque? Does God care what faith institution you belong to?" said Oliver, recalling some of the simpler issues in their early debates. "We are not about editing ourselves; we are about engaging each other. That can only happen when we get out of our comfort zone and go to those sometimes difficult places." The women ended up writing a different sort of book, and "The Faith Club" has been a best-seller for 17 weeks. It is a hot paperback for several Metro Detroit reading clubs associated with faith institutions. While religions struggle toward a greater understanding of each other, some of the faithful in the pews, on prayer rugs and in temples throughout Metro Detroit are taking matters into their own hands. Reaching across barriers, the desire to know "the other" is leading Christians, Jews and Muslims and others to explore other religions as a matter of practicing their own. When Idliby, a Muslim; Oliver, a Catholic who became an Episcopalian; and Warner, a Jew, appear Tuesday at the 56th annual Jewish Book Fair, some 60 members of a reading group at the First United Methodist Church in Birmingham will climb into their church vans to go hear the authors. "It's probably one of the most thought-provoking books we have read in a while," said Phyllis Holmes of Bloomfield Township, a member of the group. "It deals with our different prejudices and the faiths. Mostly, though, it is really a challenge to rethink your own beliefs."
Discovering other faiths
"The women in our group range in age from their 40s to their 80s, and there are a number of us who grew up in Metro Detroit who can even remember when Birmingham had housing developments with signs that said, 'No Jews,' said Margaret Valade, also of Bloomfield Township. "If we can find a book like this that really raises questions and really stretches us, it is valuable for us from a Christian point of view." Members of Women's Interfaith Solutions for Dialogue and Outreach in MetroDetroit (WISDOM) say the book has driven new members to their group. Established by four women, WISDOM now claims 250 members. " I was invited to speak at St. John's Episcopal Church in Royal Oak, because a group of women there were reading the book in their book club and they wanted my input as a Jewish woman," said Gail Katz of West Bloomfield, one of the founders of WISDOM. "Because of 'The Faith Club,' I organized my own interfaith Passover Seder at my home with the co-founders of WISDOM. As the book shows, coming together is really a learning experience," Katz said. "The book refers to religious rituals in a way in which we can discover why we all do the things that we do, and the meaning behind them. Religious rituals are actions that perhaps we don't normally stop to think about." As people of faith start out on the path of discovering other religions, the experience of the three authors provides a road map to lower barriers and foster dialogue. Many of the faithful realize that such efforts are not only fundamental in making peace, but also a requirement of their religions.
'A common call'
"The three Abrahamic faiths -- all faiths, really -- have a common call: to be compassionate toward the other, which brings with it a responsibility to know and authentically and to value the other," said Daniel Krichbaum, president of the Michigan Roundtable for Diversity & Inclusion. There is, in Judaism, a mandate to welcome "the stranger." The Bible commands the loving of neighbor, and is replete with stories about embracing those who are different. The Quran says that God, Allah in Arabic, created different tribes and nations so that people would come to know each other. What the authors' experiences reveal is that while there is both "a call" and the ideals of faith, the process of answering God's summons and achieving often creates an intimate awareness of human failure.
"We are not theologians. We are not experts, and that is precisely the point," Idliby said. "When change happens, it happens from the bottom up. This is the very dialogue we need to stop vilifying people of other faiths, to stop vilifying people of other cultures."
You can reach Gregg Krupa at (313) 222-2359 or gkrupa@detnews.com.
If you go
Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver and Priscilla Warner, authors of "The Faith Club," will speak at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit, 6600 W. Maple at Drake, in West Bloomfield.
For information on the event, visit www.jccdet.org
For information on interfaith activity in Metro Detroit, visit www.interfaithwisdom.org and www.miroundtable.org
For information about the book and to join or find Metro Detroit faith clubs, visit www.thefaithclub.com
Here is an update of WISDOM activities for November, 2007. This is a reminder that The Faith Club authors will present on Tuesday, November 13th at 7:00 PM at the Book Fair at the West Bloomfield Jewish Community Center - 6600 W. Maple. Gail Katz, president of WISDOM, will be introducing the three authors and Brenda Rosenberg from Pathways to Peace and a new WISDOM board member will be giving the closing remarks. The authors will be signing books following their presentation. At the end of this e-mail is a copy of the article that appeared in today’s Detroit News about The Faith Club authors and WISDOM.
Upcoming events include the following:
1) WISDOM women are invited to attend an Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 7:30 PM at the Sikh Gurdwara Sahib, 40600 Schoolcraft R. in Plymouth, MI. For more information call 734-420-1718.
2) WISDOM’s next event “Soul Sanctuary – Exploring the African American Spiritual Experience” will be on Sunday, January 20th, 2008. From 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM we are invited to attend services at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church at 18700 James Couzens Freeway in Detroit (313-861-1300). From 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM we will share a soul food dinner at the Charles Wright African American Museum. From 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM we will view the photography exhibit called “Soul Sanctuary” and the permanent exhibit entitled “And Still We Rise” at the museum, followed by discussion. Mark your calendars. More details will be forthcoming!!
3) On Sunday, January 27th, 2008 from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM at Christ Church Cranbrook, 470 Church Rd. in Bloomfield Hills, the Ninth Annual World Sabbath for Religious Reconciliation will take place. This annual call for prayers for peace in different faith traditions will feature our youth from different religious institutions in the area, and the Children of Peace will be displaying their peace banners which will be woven into a peace quilt to be displayed at various religious institutions around Metro Detroit. Please mark your calendars for this very spiritual and uplifting event.
4) On Sunday, March 30th, 2008 the Sisterhood of Congregation Beth Shalom, 14601 Lincoln in Oak Park, will put together a day of learning about Judaism and invite WISDOM women to come to the synagogue to take part in their educational and inspirational event.
Here is the article that appeared in the Monday, November 12th edition of the Detroit News.
Interfaith book shatters barriers, fosters dialogue
Gregg Krupa / The Detroit News
After the national trauma of Sept. 11, 2001, three women decided to write a children's book about similarities among their faiths -- Judaism, Islam and Christianity. But Priscilla Warner, Ranya Idliby and Suzanne Oliver say they discovered they needed to fight about some things before they could work together. "Who's going to go to heaven? What does it mean to be in a temple, a church or a mosque? Does God care what faith institution you belong to?" said Oliver, recalling some of the simpler issues in their early debates. "We are not about editing ourselves; we are about engaging each other. That can only happen when we get out of our comfort zone and go to those sometimes difficult places." The women ended up writing a different sort of book, and "The Faith Club" has been a best-seller for 17 weeks. It is a hot paperback for several Metro Detroit reading clubs associated with faith institutions. While religions struggle toward a greater understanding of each other, some of the faithful in the pews, on prayer rugs and in temples throughout Metro Detroit are taking matters into their own hands. Reaching across barriers, the desire to know "the other" is leading Christians, Jews and Muslims and others to explore other religions as a matter of practicing their own. When Idliby, a Muslim; Oliver, a Catholic who became an Episcopalian; and Warner, a Jew, appear Tuesday at the 56th annual Jewish Book Fair, some 60 members of a reading group at the First United Methodist Church in Birmingham will climb into their church vans to go hear the authors. "It's probably one of the most thought-provoking books we have read in a while," said Phyllis Holmes of Bloomfield Township, a member of the group. "It deals with our different prejudices and the faiths. Mostly, though, it is really a challenge to rethink your own beliefs."
Discovering other faiths
"The women in our group range in age from their 40s to their 80s, and there are a number of us who grew up in Metro Detroit who can even remember when Birmingham had housing developments with signs that said, 'No Jews,' said Margaret Valade, also of Bloomfield Township. "If we can find a book like this that really raises questions and really stretches us, it is valuable for us from a Christian point of view." Members of Women's Interfaith Solutions for Dialogue and Outreach in MetroDetroit (WISDOM) say the book has driven new members to their group. Established by four women, WISDOM now claims 250 members. " I was invited to speak at St. John's Episcopal Church in Royal Oak, because a group of women there were reading the book in their book club and they wanted my input as a Jewish woman," said Gail Katz of West Bloomfield, one of the founders of WISDOM. "Because of 'The Faith Club,' I organized my own interfaith Passover Seder at my home with the co-founders of WISDOM. As the book shows, coming together is really a learning experience," Katz said. "The book refers to religious rituals in a way in which we can discover why we all do the things that we do, and the meaning behind them. Religious rituals are actions that perhaps we don't normally stop to think about." As people of faith start out on the path of discovering other religions, the experience of the three authors provides a road map to lower barriers and foster dialogue. Many of the faithful realize that such efforts are not only fundamental in making peace, but also a requirement of their religions.
'A common call'
"The three Abrahamic faiths -- all faiths, really -- have a common call: to be compassionate toward the other, which brings with it a responsibility to know and authentically and to value the other," said Daniel Krichbaum, president of the Michigan Roundtable for Diversity & Inclusion. There is, in Judaism, a mandate to welcome "the stranger." The Bible commands the loving of neighbor, and is replete with stories about embracing those who are different. The Quran says that God, Allah in Arabic, created different tribes and nations so that people would come to know each other. What the authors' experiences reveal is that while there is both "a call" and the ideals of faith, the process of answering God's summons and achieving often creates an intimate awareness of human failure.
"We are not theologians. We are not experts, and that is precisely the point," Idliby said. "When change happens, it happens from the bottom up. This is the very dialogue we need to stop vilifying people of other faiths, to stop vilifying people of other cultures."
You can reach Gregg Krupa at (313) 222-2359 or gkrupa@detnews.com.
If you go
Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver and Priscilla Warner, authors of "The Faith Club," will speak at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit, 6600 W. Maple at Drake, in West Bloomfield.
For information on the event, visit www.jccdet.org
For information on interfaith activity in Metro Detroit, visit www.interfaithwisdom.org and www.miroundtable.org
For information about the book and to join or find Metro Detroit faith clubs, visit www.thefaithclub.com
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