Tag Archives: Christianity

03/26, 03/31 Spirituality in a Time of Crisis — FB Live Interfaith Panel Series

COVID-19 has affected all of us in ways that we would not have imagined just a few months ago. As we all work to cope with this challenge, we are offering a three-part series titled Spirituality in a Time of Crisis. This interfaith series, featuring female religious leaders as panelists in recognition of Women’s History Month, will discuss how to take a step back, reflect, and understand not only our current situation and the world outside but also ourselves and those we love. Join us in reflection on March 24th, March 26th, and March 31st on the ING Facebook page. To receive updates on the series, register below!

Thursday, March 26th 7:30 – 8:30 PM PST: Building and Inspiring Fellowship and Community in a Time of Crisis

In times of crisis, news reports are full of stories about neighbors and strangers going out of their way to share food, rescue pets, locate loved ones, and help rebuild what has been lost. In our second panel, we seek to understand how religious traditions contribute to the displays of compassion, altruism, and creative solution-seeking that blossom when disaster strikes communities.

Speakers: ING Executive Director Maha Elgenaidi (Muslim), Rabbi Amy Eilberg (Jewish), Lakshmi Subramanian (Hindu), Reverend George Anne McDonnell (Christian), and Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi (Buddhist). Facilitator: ING Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan.

Tuesday, March 31st 5:00-6:00 PM PST: Reflecting on Gratitude and Faith in a Time of Crisis

Religious traditions can teach us a lot about the importance of gratitude as a foundation of our life, even—or perhaps especially—in times of crisis. By funneling our emotions into positive action, we grow our empathy with others. In our third and final installment of this series, we learn helpful techniques that allow us to slow down and recognize and give thanks for all the blessings in our lives.

Speakers: ING Content Manager Ameena Jandali (Muslim), Rabbi Melanie Aron (Jewish), Sheila Mohan (Hindu), Dianne Muller (Christian), and Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi (Buddhist). Facilitator: ING Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan.

Hearts for Justice: Toward Understanding: A Jewish, Christian, Muslim Conversation

Please join us for an interfaith conversation between leaders in the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faiths. Rabbi Sarah Weissman, the Reverend Matthew Dutton-Gillett, and Sheikha Maryam Amir will be our featured speakers for this event.

In this dialogue, we are hoping to move beyond the great and formidable edifices of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, which means also to move beyond the stereotypes that we tend to have about these great traditions. Instead, we hope to give one another a glimpse into the way in which the sacred stories of these faiths have interacted with and transformed our personal stories, which is nothing less than a glimpse into what it is that is compelling to each of us as followers in and leaders of our respective traditions. And perhaps… how, especially in this season where our public discourse seems to be disorienting and divisive, our traditions invite us into a different way of talking and being together that we find thoughtful and hopeful and helpful in cultivating a heart for justice. We believe that this more personal encounter between our traditions will do more justice to each of them. And, as you will see, we will each have something to say not only about what is powerful to us in our own faiths, but how we understand our faiths to shape our interaction with the world in terms building a world that is more just.

Following the conversation there will be an interfaith community resource fair in Trinity Hall. This event is free and there is childcare avaliable. Tickets are recommended as space is limited. RSVP for childcare is required.

Tickets and more information are avaliable here!

About Our Speakers

Rabbi Sarah Weissman, Associate Rabbi at Congregation Beth Am. Rabbi Sarah Weissman is an associate rabbi at Congregation Beth Am in Los Altos Hills, where she has served since 2008. In addition to her pastoral and pulpit duties, Rabbi Sarah oversees the adult education program and the Interfaith Outreach Committee. Rabbi Sarah and her husband, Eric Weissman, are proud parents of a son, Maverick.

Rev. Matthew Dutton-Gillet, Rector at Trinity Church in Menlo Park. The Rev. Matthew Dutton-Gillett is the rector of Trinity Church in Menlo Park where he has served since 2009. An Episcopal priest for the past 25 years, Matthew has served congregations in Missouri, Illinois, and Tennesee before coming to California. While deeply rooted in the Christian tradition, Matthew is interested in the way all religious traditions draw us into narratives and relationships that ultimately seek to transform us.

Sheikha Maryam Amir, Instructor at Hikmah Institute. Maryam Amir received her Master’s in Education from the University of California, Los Angeles, where her research focused on the effects of mentorship rooted in Critical Race Theory for urban high school students of color. Maryam has memorized the Holy Quran, has spent the past 12 years studying Islamic scholarship and holds a second degree black belt in the martial arts form Tae Kwon Do. She writes for prominent Muslim sites such as aljumuah.com and virtualmosque.com and tours nationally and intentionally addressing communities on topics such related to spirituality, social issues and women’s studies.

Film Premiere: St. Francis of Assisi and the Sultan of Egypt

During the Crusades, Saint Francis of Assisi risked his life by walking across enemy lines to meet the Sultan of Egypt, the Muslim ruler Al-Malik al-Kamil. This remarkable encounter, and the commitment to peace of the two men behind it, sucked the venom out of the Crusades and changed the relationship between Muslims and Christians for the better.
Featuring dramatic reenactments and renowned scholarship, this amazing story is brought to life in “The Sultan and the Saint.” Scholars interviewed include Michael Cusato (St. Bonaventure University), Sr. Kathy Warren (Sisters of St. Francis), Suleiman Mourad (Smith College), Homayra Ziad (Institute for Christian & Jewish Studies), Paul Moses (The Saint and the Sultan), and others.
Join us for this premiere in San Jose to learn about the remarkable spiritual exchange between the Sultan and the Saint, and the great risks they took for peace.
Admission is free of charge. Tickets at SultanSaintSanJose.eventbrite.com
This film contains some scenes of violence and may not be appropriate for children under 12. Please use your own discretion.
film poster

Interfaith Passover Unity Seder

Led by Rabbi Laurie Hahn Tapper and Father George Aranha, this interfaith celebration of a Passover Seder will include Jewish, Christian and Muslim participants. Members of other Faith traditions are welcome, as well.

RSVP by March 20 to Carol Rossi, 408-264-9786 or rossitwo@sbcglobal.net

Questions: contact diane@jvalley.org or call 408-357-7504

Unity Seder Flyer

Radical Grace Film

“Radical Grace” is a documentary about U.S. nuns who were reprimanded by the Vatican for their “radical feminism.” Be captured by this story of three fearless nuns who risk their place in the Church to follow another higher calling: social justice.

One sister takes on Church patriarchy, another finds hope in the former prisoners she counsels, and the third launches a cross-country Nuns on the Bus tour, leveraging her newfound fame to spotlight social needs. These sisters “bring humor and down-to-earth grit to an epic battle for justice, equality and the dignity of women” (Gene Siskel Film Center).

Following their struggles through the election of Pope Francis, Radical Grace captures a period of dramatic transformation as the Catholic Church grapples with the modern word.

SJSU students, faculty and community members will be inspired and challenged by the message of these brave nuns that question authority, seek equality, while illustrating that social justice and spirituality are inseparably linked.

Discussion will follow. All are welcome!

Two Among the Righteous Few: A Story of Courage in the Holocaust

Two Among the Righteous Few: A Story of Courage in the Holocaust

Marty Brounstein, author and public speaker will be speaking at the JCC to honor Holocaust Remembrance Day. (Holocaust Remembrance Day is May 5th this year. We will be having our speaker a bit early, on April 27th.)

Come hear the remarkable true story about a Catholic couple in the Netherlands who, despite great risk and danger, helped save the lives of at least two dozen Jews from certain death during World War II. Marty Brounstein will also explain the meaningful personal connection that inspires him to tell and retell the story of their heroic actions. His book will be available for purchase and signing after the presentation.

General admission $12, JCC members $10.
RSVP to events@apjcc.org or 408.357.7411.