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.

Loving Jewish Neighbors

LOVING JEWISH NEIGHBORS is a seminar for Christians who want to understand and honor Jewish neighbors. It navigates through a maze of conflicting information and stereotypes, then equips Christians with biblical solutions to challenges that have vexed Jewish-Christian relations for over two-thousand years.

This graduate-level seminar is taught by one of Christianity’s preeminent scholars of Judaism, and designed for grassroots Christians without formal theological training. All will be informed, challenged and inspired.

Sessions are October 7, October 14, and November 18.Register hereMore details and registration.

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Marvin R. Wilson
NIV Bible translator and acclaimed author of Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith (made into an award-winning PBS documentary), Dr. Wilson is currently Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at Gordon College. About his most recent book Exploring Our Hebraic Heritage, the Jewish intellectual Prof. Susannah Heschel, daughter of the legendary Jewish theologian, Abraham Joshua Heschel, writes,

“For two thousand years, we have longed for a Christian scholar of Judaism as sensitive and knowledgeable as Marvin Wilson, and his work fulfills our hopes. Insightful and deeply learned, this book is a remarkable example of a Christian theology that affirms Judaism with respect and appreciation.”

—Prof. Susannah Heschel

SiVIC Forum Sunday: I Am the Other

Stereotype word cloudThis coming Sunday, July 23, join us at 1:30 pm at the Bay Area Youth Vaishnav Parivar in Milpitas for a panel and discussion on countering stereotypes, religious illiteracy and hate crimes. Our panel includes distinguished speakers from Hindu, Jewish, Ahmadiyya Muslim and Sikh communities.

Full details and registration are available HERE.

SiVIC Forum: I Am the Other

Stereotype word cloudJoin us on Sunday, July 23, 1:30 pm at the Bay Area Youth Vaishnav Parivar in Milpitas for a panel and discussion on countering stereotypes, religious illiteracy and hate crimes. Our panel includes distinguished speakers from Hindu, Jewish, Ahmadiyya Muslim and Sikh communities.

Full details and registration are available HERE.

Jewish Heritage Celebration- De Anza College

You are invited to experience an interactive overview of Judaism.  We will explore Jewish culture, diversity, and history. Some common myths and stereotypes are revealed by way  of discussion, stories, and candid questions such as “Who is a Jew?” and “What is Judaism?” Engage in the complexities of a 5,777-year-old culture that has persevered and contributed to the mosaic of modern day society. Enjoy Jewish culture, music, and tastes of food.

About the Trainer:  

Daryn Michelle Stier’s interest in diversity awareness and the cultural celebration began from childhood and took off when she attended Oberlin College for its social justice and cross-cultural awareness that was an integral fabric of its history and educational approach. There she began SOAR-Students Organized against Racism- in order to have an active student group whose primary purpose was to look at group ethnic and multi-racial communication skills as well as assessment modalities for institutional race awareness. At the University of Michigan, Daryn got her Masters in Social Work with a focus on Interpersonal Counseling and Community Organization. Daryn discovered an underserved population in the school’s coursework—women—and organized the student body to address the lack of any courses focusing on women in the curriculum. A course on women’s’ issues was developed and is now part of the school’s offerings. Daryn also worked at the University of Michigan’s Counseling Center and served on their Cross-Cultural Counseling Team.

Register online

Funded by DASB Heritage Months-Multicultural Education Funds

Co-Sponsors: Co-Sponsors include Euphrat Museum of Art, Black Leadership Collective, African American Studies, Intercultural/International Studies Division, & VIDA

This event is ADA accessible. Please contact us if you require special accommodations, Adriana Garcia at GarciaAdriana@fhda.edu or 408-864-5636.

If you have any additional questions, please contact Jila Maleksalehi at maleksalehijila@fhda.edu

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

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.

Faith of Our Neighbors: Islam

Learn about Islam, its beliefs and practices in the context of modern western societies and current affairs. A short presentation will be followed by an open Q&A session moderated by a panel of the Muslim, Jewish and Christian clergy. ING’s Maha Elgenaidi will be a participating speaker