Monday afternoon, July 3: After watching a short film called “God and Allah Need to Talk,” we will address questions such as these: What kind of grassroots interfaith work is going on in your community and around the USA? How can you get (more) involved? What is the role of Friends in such work? This will be a time of sharing and brainstorming about how best to involve Friends in the grassroots interfaith movement. Synopsis of “God and Allah Need to Talk”: After 9/11 L.A. filmmaker and interfaith advocate Ruth Broyde-Sharone voiced frustration at religious-based violence while issuing a call for peace and understanding with this short documentary that was endorsed by the Human Relations Commission of the city of Los Angeles. One of the film’s highpoints is a Muslim-Jewish “Seder of Reconciliation” held on Passover in Woodland Hills’ Temple Kol Tikvah that brought together 150 participants in a symbolic gesture to reunite Abraham’s estranged sons Isaac and Ishmael.

The Monday Evening Interest Group panel will consist of the following guest speakers:

Jamal Rahman,  a Muslim Sufi, co-minister at Interfaith Community Church, director of Sacred Ps ychology School and adjunct faculty at Seattle University. Author of Fragrance of Faith, Jamal travels often, participating in presentations, workshops, and retreats locally, nationally, and internationally.                   

Rabbi Ted Falcon, Ph.D.,  teaches a Kabbalistic approach to Judaism through p ractices of Jewish meditation and the interpretation of Torah, ritual, and Jewish tradition from a spiritual point of view. A Reform rabbi with a doctorate in clinical psychology, he is co-author (with David Blatner) of Judaism For Dummies and author of Journey of Awakening: Using the Kabbalistic Tree of Life in Jewish Meditation. With gentleness and humor, Rabbi Ted offers unique insight into Jewish tradition as he deeply affirms the integrity of each individual being.

Don Mackenzie, a senior minister at University Congregational United Church of Christ in Seattle, is also involved with religious leaders from other faiths in Seattle in efforts to create a multifaith “sensibility” to replace the American “Christian sensibility.” “Now we must acknowledge with gratitude that we are a multifaith culture,” says Don, “We want to replace fear, hatred, and even tolerance with genuine appreciation.”

Tuesday afternoon, July 4: Interfaith youth work. We will watch a documentary about the “Interfaith Inventions Peace Camp” featuring Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb, internationally known for her work as a peace and social justice activist, and one of the first woman in America to be ordained as rabbi. Quaker youth will be invited to discuss their faith journey with youth of other faiths and address the question: How can Young Friends get involved in interfaith youth activities? This documentary shows how Rabbi Lynn brings together youth and elders from Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Native American, Bahai and other faith groups in summer camps and year long programs to learn about each other in a joyful and open setting. Children come home expressing new appreciation for the beauty of their own religion, respect for the religions of others and feeling better about themselves. (See http://www.interfaithinventions.org/

Wednesday  afternoon, July 5: The Interfaith Movement after 9/11: what it means to peacemakers and to “spiritual progressives.” Dr. Anthony Manousos will lead a discussion of practical, empowering and joyful ways to connect with interfaith work and to help overcome the “culture of fear” fueled by religious bigotry

Thursday afternoon, July 6: “Compassionate Listening as a tool for interfaith dialogue.” We’ll view excerpts from the film “Children of Abraham” (about Jewish-Palestinian dialogue), practice some compassionate listening skills and explore how this technique can be used for interfaith dialogue and reconciliation. Presenters: Leah Green, director of the Compassionate Listening Project,  and Sarita Lief, Eugene (OR) Friend. Leah Green, founder of The Compassionate Listening Project, is an American Jew who lived in Israel for two years and developed strong connections in Israel and Palestine. She began leading delegations in 1990 out of a desire to help people from outs ide of the region to understand the situation on the ground and introduce them to remarkable leaders in each community working for reconciliation. Sarita, a retired postal worker, was born and raised Jewish, began attending Eugene Meeting four years ago, and is currently a member of  the EFM’s Peace and Social Concerns committee. Last year Sarita helped to plan a Quarterly gathering focusing on the Muslim community. Sarita is involved with Tikkun, a progressive Jewish organization started by Rabbi Michael Lerner,  and has also been trained in Compassionate Listeni

There is a principle which is pure, placed in the human mind, which in different places and ages hath had different names. It is, however, pure and proceeds from God. It is deep and inward, confined to no forms of religion nor excluded from any, where the heart stands in perfect sincerity. In whomsoever this takes root and grows, of what nation soever they become brethren.

John Woolman, "Considerations on Keeping Negroes," 1746  

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