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  Interfaith Unity 

is a free publication of Interfaith and Inter-Spiritual activities, news, and resources, 

in Toronto, Southern Ontario, Nationally and Internationally

Event listings are run free of charge. Please submit by the deadline date shown on the current newsletter.

Contact us at:  info@interfaithunity.ca

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TO SUBSCRIBE: Send name, e-mail address and phone number to: info@interfaithunity.com

 


 

INTERFAITH UNITY NEWS:   

July 30, 2010 issue – Deadline for next issue:   August 17, 2010

www.interfaithunity.ca                                        info@interfaithunity.ca

 

 

Member: North American Interfaith Network

CONTENTS LISTING (click titles below to go to listing)

Note:  Links on your computer may have to be permitted to operate

 

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

World Faith Is Seeking Leaders

To Start A Toronto Chapter!

 

TORONTO & AREA EVENTS

SACRED RITES of PASSAGE
with Anishnabe Spiritual Leader - Dave Courchene
Saturday August 7th

 

Theology on Tap

How The Church Deals With Crises:

Reflection On The Sex Abuse Crisis

 

North American Muslim Foundation

Welcome Ramadan Dinner

Sunday, August 8th, 2010

 

Toronto Premiere of:

Manitou Api--Where The Sun Rises

Tuesday, August 10 · 6:30pm - 9:00pm

 

Scarboro Mission Centre

Learn To Facilitate Golden Rule Retreats

Aug. 22, 7:00 P.M. — Aug. 24-1:00 P.M

 

THE DALAI LAMA

IS COMING BACK TO TORONTO!

 

 

ONTARIO WIDE EVENTS

Waterloo

Education To Globalize The Human Mind

Weekend Of August 20-22, 2010

Spiritual Heritage Education Network Inc. (SHEN),

 

Ontario

Gaia's Cosmic Camp

August 6, 7, 8

 

INTERNATIONAL EVENTS

9-Day Mindfulness

(Vipassana) Meditation Retreat

When:  August 13 - 21st, 2010

 

 

 

  

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

Interprofessional Certificate

In Applied Mindfulness Meditation: 

 Psychotherapy Or Education

 

RESOURCES

The Future Of Religion

By Patheos.com

 

Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly

Ethical Eating

 

BOOK RELEASES

New Booklet Reveals

Muslim Acts of Heroism

During Holocaust

“The Role of Righteous Muslim Persons,”

 

New Book About Traditional Indian Yoga And Yogis Debunks Modern Clichés

‘Autobiography of a Sadhu

a Journey into Mystic India

 

WEBSITES OF NOTE…

Centre For Catholic – Jewish Learning

At Kings College, University of Western Ontario

 

Welcome To Proswastika

The Swastika is one of the oldest symbols

 

NEWS

 NEWS - OTTAWA

Canadian International Peace Project

Jewish-Somali Mentorship Project

Attracts Mentors In Ottawa

 

INSPIRATION

"I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know:

 

DISCLAIMER

A note to our readers and contributors

 

EDITORIAL

BOARD:

Rev.Terry Weller

Interfaith Minister, Writer, Lecturer, Counsellor

Publisher,

Editor,

416-801-5597

 

Rev. Leslie Mezei

Interfaith Minister, Writer, Speaker,

Founding Publisher, Contributing Editor

416-226-2869

 

Paul McKenna

Director of the Interfaith Department of Scarboro Missions, Toronto

Contributing Editor

416-261-7135

Ext 296

 

Raheel Raza

Film Maker, Lecturer, Author of “Their Jihad, Not My Jihad

Contributing Editor

416-505-6052

 

Chander Khanna

Vice President of the Hindu Institute of Learning

Contributing Editor

416-590-9645

 

 

 


LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

 

 LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dear Interfaith Unity,

WORLD FAITH IS SEEKING LEADERS

TO START A TORONTO CHAPTER!

“World Faith is an interfaith community service network. Conducting dialogue through action, we are currently active in six countries and counting! 

World Faith’s service projects are locally driven and thus consistent with local needs and issues. For example, World Faith New Delhi features a non-formal education center, The Rainbow School, for children from a rag-picking community. On the other hand, World Faith NYC’s interAct campaign aims to connect various houses of worship to build meaningful and sustainable relationships. In turn, World Faith Toronto shall also serve its communities by addressing local specific concerns.”

For more information, please see:

www.worldfaith.org/

www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=124724267569343&ref=ts

Contact Shum Sum to help start World Faith Toronto:

416-833-0513   shumsum@hotmail.com

Thank You!!

With regards,

Shum

 

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TORONTO AND AREA EVENTS


 

Toronto

 

SACRED RITES of PASSAGE
with Anishnabe Spiritual Leader - Dave Courchene
(Neeghani Aki Innini - Leading Earth Man)

Saturday August 7th,  7:30pm
at Institute of Traditional Medicine
553 Queen Street West, 2nd floor,
416 537-0928
$20 - proceeds support the Turtle Lodge on Sagkeeng First Nation

www.instituteoftraditionalmedicine.com/events.html
“How do we honour new life, initiate our young people into adulthood and support the dying and the feeding of our ancestors?
Dave Courchene (Eagle Clan) will present Anishnabe teachings on honoring the cycles of life: birth, adolescence, adulthood, death and ancestors.  This is a rare opportunity to hear teachings from the Anishnabe land-based spiritual wisdom that brings balance to life. Learn how ceremony, story, song and community can provide support, direction and nourishment throughout the life cycle.” 
“Dave Courchene - Neeghani Aki Innini (Leading Earth Man) has travelled internationally, carrying a message of hope and peace, and sharing ancient Indigenous knowledge that he believes can act as the foundation in supporting the New Life that Mother Earth is now entering, and that the Elders have confirmed has arrived.
He has created a special place for sharing ancient Indigenous knowledge - the Turtle Lodge - which was built based on a vision that he received many years ago.”

 

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Toronto

 

Theology on Tap

HOW THE CHURCH DEALS WITH CRISES:

REFLECTION ON THE SEX ABUSE CRISIS

www.faithconnections.ca  

Saturday, August 7, 6:30pm

“The Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto invite young adults (19-39) to a special evening of thought-provoking discussion in their home at Morrow Park!

Special guest: Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB, CEO of Salt + Light Television. Munchies provided - come and bring a friend!

(Please arrive on time, as the Sisters will be greeting people at the front entrance at 6:30pm and will escort you to the community room where the talk will be held.)

RSVPs are appreciated! phone Vanessa Nicholas-Schmidt at 416-222-1426 ext 276.

At Morrow Park (1B Community Room), 3377 Bayview Ave, Toronto.

 

(Note: Theology on Tap events are open to all young people regardless of faith or no faith)”

 

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Toronto

 

North American Muslim Foundation

WELCOME RAMADAN DINNER

Sunday, August 8th, 2010

All members of the community are cordially invited

Guest Speaker: Dr. Hamid Slimi

President of Sayeda Khatija Center,

Chairman of Canadian Council of Imams,

President – Faith of Life Network

Location: Masjid Qurtabah

4140 Finch Avenue East, Scarborough Ontario M1S 3T9

(between Kennedy road and Midland on Finch )

6:00 P.M.  Dinner starts at 8 P.M.

Admission: Free

RSVP to Habeeb Alli Email: namf@bellnet.ca

Communication Coordinator

416-823-1738 / 647-405-8581     416-299-1969 x 23

 

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Toronto

Toronto Premiere of:

MANITOU API--WHERE THE SUN RISES

Tuesday, August 10 · 6:30pm - 9:00pm

The Revue Cinema

400 Roncesvalles - 3 Blocks South of Bloor and Dundas W Toronto

Turtle Lodge and the Institute of Traditional Medicine Present... Toronto Premiere of MANITOU API--WHERE THE SUN RISES. From the Director of The History Channel's Nostradamus 2012. Featuring Speaker Elder Dave Courchene (Neeghani Aki Innini). Advance tickets $10, $12 at the door.
"ONE NIGHT SCREENING ONLY "

Advance Tickets:
Ronalda Laird @ ronaldalaird@yahoo.com
Kim Mitchell @ kymmerlynn_kinsella@hotmail.com
Advance Tickets:

Contact  416-695-0780 OR Institute of Traditional Medicine, 416 537-0928

View Trailer: http://the8thfire.org/manitou_api/video.htm

Film Website: http://www.the8thfire.org/manitou_api/

Turtle Lodge/Dave Courchene: www.theturtlelodge.org

Frank Albo: www.frankalbo.com

SYNOPSIS:

This extraordinary documentary features Dave Courchene, a First Nations Elder and

Frank Albo , an architectural historian, as they take the viewer on a mystical

journey and together uncover ancient symbols in a Canadian government building,

symbols that validate a present day First Nations Prophecy.

READ FULL SYNOPSIS ALONG WITH FURTHER INFO

 

 

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Toronto

 

Golden Rule Retreats!

LEARN TO FACILITATE GOLDEN RULE RETREATS

“Scarboro Mission Centre has seen some 4,000 high school age students come through its doors annually for the past number of years.

We are known city-wide for our popular Golden Rule and World Religion retreats for youth.

In response to a demand from the local community, we have decided to offer Golden Rule training days for frontline youth workers, educators, Boy and Girl Scout Leaders and pastoral students in an effort to make our retreat work accessible to more youth.

As such, we are offering comprehensive, residential training for those who already work with youth in their current jobs, or who are preparing to work with youth in a spiritual or social justice capacity.

Aug. 22, 7:00 p.m. — Aug. 24-1:00 p.m.

Cost: $300 for residential, $250 for commuters (cost includes meals and snacks)

 

Register: Phone 416-261-7135 and send $50 two weeks prior to hold your space to:

Scarboro Missions 2685 Kingston Road, Scarborough ON M1M 1M4 Attention: Kathy Murtha”

www.scarboromissions.ca

 

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THE DALAI LAMA

IS COMING BACK TO TORONTO!

“The exiled Tibetan leader will return to Canada this October to make a series of speeches at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.

His visit marks the opening of a new Tibetan Canadian cultural centre in the city.

The Dalai Lama is no stranger to Canada — last fall he visited Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver. He was last in Toronto in 2007.

He was named an honorary citizen in 2006.”

For more information and a listing of events go to: www.dalailamatoronto2010.org/

 

 

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ONTARIO  WIDE EVENTS

 

 

Waterloo

 

EDUCATION TO GLOBALIZE THE HUMAN MIND

ANNOUNCEMENT:  weekend of August 20-22, 2010

Spiritual Heritage Education Network Inc. (SHEN, website: www.spiritualeducation.org) is a non-profit charitable organization based in Waterloo, Ontario in Canada with the single purpose of education in the all-inclusive and unifying spiritual heritage of humanity to engender global unity.

Modern science and technology has shrunk the world to a global village, but the human mind is still out of sync with this development. To close this gap, SHEN is proposing all-inclusive spiritual education curricula to be integrated in the global educational systems. This initiative is hoped to help bridge our hearts and minds building one human family living in the wider global community.

Towards this end, SHEN plans a series of meetings to focus on the promotion, development and delivery of the proposed curricula. The first meeting is timed to mark SHEN’s 10th anniversary year and is scheduled for the weekend of August 20-22, 2010 in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. The title for this event is Education to Globalize the Human Mind.

Everyone interested in this endeavour is invited to participate. “

An information package for this event is available at our website at the following link: www.spiritualeducation.org/Events/Info/Meet2010/Frame.htm.

Please address any questions and correspondence to:

SHENMeet2010@spiritualeducation.org

 

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ONTARIO

GAIA'S COSMIC CAMP 

August 6, 7, 8                               
Eco-Spirituality, Meditative Arts, and New Cosmology                                            

Friday 2 pm till Sunday 2 pm  

12 adults only

$225 plus accommodation      www.gaiacentre.org

“ Have you ever longed to go back to camp? Enjoy the beauty of the Haliburton Highlands. Explore your place in Gaia's conscious evolution through body prayer, analogue drawing, visioning, drumming, a candle-lit woodland labyrinth. This is camp, but with a twist.  In co-creative community, we will explore the New Cosmology, earth-centered spirituality, and our own emergence as Universal Humanity. 
Join with inspiring leaders from the University of Creation Spirituality and Wisdom University who will share the teachings of Thomas Berry, Brian Swimme, Matthew Fox, Rumi, and others. 
Maybe we'll even have s'more(s)!”

 

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AGONQUIN PARK

13TH ANNUAL SOCIAL JUSTICE SUMMER RETREAT

August 26th-29th, 2010

Registration is now open

Registration includes accommodations in cabins, all your meals, and full access to camp facilities.

Early Bird (ends July 31)- $200

Regular Registration (after July 31) - $220
Children 5-12 years - $95
Children 2-4 years - $65
Children 0-2 years - Free

Transportation from downtown Toronto (round trip via coach bus) - $46/passenger

http://www.socialjustice.org/index.php?page=summer-retreat

This year's theme:

The collapse of financial institutions worldwide has thrown economies into prolonged recessions or minimal growth.  Jobs have disappeared and lives suddenly and uncontrollably altered.  Government revenues have fallen with the decline of economic activity and the loss of jobs.   Declining revenues, recent tax cuts and modest spending to create jobs have all produced budgetary deficits.  A further assault on public sector spending is the only policy alternative neo-liberal governments will countenance.  This will mean more public sector job cuts, wage restraint, the contracting out and cutting of more services, and growing inequality.  The future looks as grim as the recent past for growing numbers of citizens whose livelihood has vanished and whose plans will depend on precarious employment and reduced government assistance.  How can we organize to anticipate the coming cuts?  How can we build coalitions to protest cuts and the loss of democratic controls?       

This annual event brings together people from a variety of social movements – activists from all walks of life. You, friends and family are invited to join us for a wonderful time of relaxation and renewal.

Here’s how your days might be filled:

- workshops and plenary sessions on how to build a strong culture of activism
- free time at the waterfront with swimming, boating and nature trails
- evenings with music and film, story tellers and campfires
- being as solitary or as social as you wish

 

 

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INTERNATIONAL EVENTS

9-DAY MINDFULNESS

(VIPASSANA) MEDITATION RETREAT

When:  August 13 - 21st, 2010

Presented by:  Spring Rain Sangha

Location:  Chapin Mill Retreat Centre, Batavia, NY (just 2.5 hours from Toronto)

Cost:  $600 (please consult our website for other payment options)

Facilitators:  Philip Starkman, Jim Bedard, and Randy Baker

Registration:  Please register in advance in the "Retreats" section of www.SpringRainSangha.com

Contact:  Email questions to angelina9@springrainsangha.com

or call Angelina at 416-314-7176

“This retreat introduces Buddhist practices that help us achieve deeper levels of insight into who and what we are, while promoting peace in our daily lives.  By focusing moment-to-moment awareness on body sensations, feelings, and thoughts, we begin to experience for ourselves the impermanence of all conditioned phenomena.  Mindfulness meditation, and the greater wisdom and equanimity it brings, allows us to relate to life with less fear and clinging.  People of all faiths are welcome to attend this retreat.

Set amid the natural splendours of a beautiful 135-acre country property, the Chapin Mill Retreat Centre offers the ideal environment for calming the busy mind.” 

 

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PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

INTERPROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE IN APPLIED MINDFULNESS MEDITATION:  PSYCHOTHERAPY OR EDUCATION

“This Fall, the University of Toronto's Faculty of Social Work (Con-Ed program) is offering one of North America’s most comprehensive certificate programs in Mindfulness Meditation, please check the following link for more information.

www.socialwork.utoronto.ca/conted/certificate/mindfulnessmed.htm
Participants in this inter-professional mindfulness program will have an opportunity to either begin or deepen their own mindfulness meditation practice and its application in psychotherapy and/or education. This inter-professional certificate is grounded in the comparative literatures of mindfulness, neuroscience, social and health sciences, comparative religion and theology, educational theory, and occupational health.”

 

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RESOURCES

RESOURCES

THE FUTURE OF RELIGION

By Patheos.com  

“For centuries, Western thinkers assumed that religion would decline throughout the world as scientific ideas spread and replace "superstition" with modern, rational, secular ways of life.

In recent decades, however, that assumption has faded. Across the globe, religion remains an influential force, one that impacts how we view ourselves, each other, and the world around us.

As new forms of worship and belief continue to evolve in the twenty-first century, we have asked thought leaders from a variety of religious traditions to talk about the future of religion. What trends will influence how people across the spectrum of faiths worship and practice? What are the challenges and opportunities that will confront faith leaders? What are the controversial issues? Will cooperation or conflict between religions be dominant in the years ahead? What reform movements will shape the future of belief?

Essays will tackle such subjects as race, interfaith relations, blogging, theological controversies, gender issues, proselytizing, music, emerging movements, politics, and film.  

The Future of Religion Series schedule is:

June 28 - The Future of Hinduism

July 5 - The Future of Buddhism

July 12 - The Future of Judaism           

July 19 - The Future of Christianity: Catholicism

July 26 - The Future of Christianity: Mainline Protestantism

August 2 - The Future of Christianity: Evangelicalism

August 9 - The Future of Christianity: Mormonism

August 16 - The Future of Islam

August 23 - The Future of Paganism

August 30 - The Future of Humanism

September 6 - The Future of Religion

Each week, we'll be featuring short essays by prominent thought leaders, written for a general audience. Please join us for this exciting new series.”

CLICK TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE AND VIEW EXISTING ESSAYS

 

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RESOURCES

 

Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly

ETHICAL EATING

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO

“Religious communities are part of a growing movement across America that is concerned with the ethics of how food is grown and how it gets to our tables. Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly visits Anathoth Community Garden in North Carolina, a project of Cedar Grove United Methodist Church.”

 “Having the experience of planting a seed and having the faith that it’ll grow into a plant that will eventually sustain me is a spiritual experience. And ultimately I really, really feel like food is a sacred gift from God and that’s something that we tend to forget about in our culture.”

 “Small faith communities like this one are sprouting up all across the country to advance the cause of ethical eating – teaching more than just good gardening practices.”

“Going to the garden is part of a spiritual practice for me. I use that time to think about what I’m thankful for, and to try to remember people in my past that I’m thankful for, and my family that surrounds me now. It’s just my daily meditation. I feel I’m in a place where things are really alive, and growing.”

 

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BOOK RELEASES

NEW BOOKLET REVEALS

MUSLIM ACTS OF HEROISM DURING HOLOCAUST

“The Role of Righteous Muslim Persons,”

Initiated by Faith Matters, an interfaith organization. 

www.faith-matters.org

This article by:

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE BOOKLET

LONDON – A new publication highlighting Muslim acts of heroism during the Holocaust will be published on Wednesday, chronicling the role played by Muslims who defended Jews during World War II.

The 34-page booklet, titled “The Role of Righteous Muslim Persons,” was initiated by Faith Matters, a London-based interfaith organization that works toward reducing extremism and fostering social cohesion in the UK. The aim of the booklet is to inform religious communities and the general public about the little-known stories of courageous Muslims who stood up against injustice, protecting Jews during the Holocaust.
Guided by their Muslim faith and personal desire to do what was right, they protected and saved the lives of many potential victims. The publication also aims to counter the narrative that no Muslims played a part in the defense of Jewish communities during the War.

The work focuses on people deemed ”Righteous Gentiles” by Jerusalem’s Yad Vashem and highlights the role played by individuals, families and communities in countries such as Albania, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Turkey, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In Albania, Jews were not victims of the Nazis because of a national code of honor called “Besa,” a desire to help those in need, even those of another faith or origin.
The booklet also tells the story of Muslim lawyer Khaled Mahameed, founder and curator of the first Arab Holocaust museum in Nazareth, who believes that by understanding such atrocities, one can stand up for justice and equality.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE

 

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NEW BOOK ABOUT TRADITIONAL INDIAN YOGA AND YOGIS DEBUNKS MODERN CLICHÉS

‘Autobiography of a Sadhua Journey into Mystic India

by Rampuri

Destiny Books/Inner Traditions 04/10 Paperback $18.95
ISBN: 9871594773303

Review by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat:

Rampuri was the first foreigner to be initiated into the ancient Indian society of yogis and shamans known as the Renunciates of the Ten Names, or Sannyasis. He has been a Naga Baba since 1970. The sect was organized in the 5th century B.C., and they see themselves as the ultimate protectors of the Sanatan Dharma or what we call Hinduism.

The author grew up in Beverley Hills and kept hidden his yearning for secret knowledge, magic, and buried treasure. He drops out of high school and sets off on a quest for truth. On a voyage from Karachi, Pakistan, to India, he meets a young man named Cartouche who recommends that he get in touch with Hari Puri Baba, a guru who speaks English and knows how to read the world. Landing in India, the American feels like he is meeting a blood relative. He is fascinated by ascetics called sadhus and sannyasis, marginal characters who have dropped out of society and spend most of their time practicing various spiritual practices and disciplines.

In his first encounter with Hari Puri Baba, the author is astonished to learn that this holy man has been expecting him and has prepared a homecoming celebration for him. Hari Puri Baba has achieved mastery over a handful of intellectual and spiritual traditions including astrology and is considered by many of his peers as a genius in language and mantra. He renames the American Rampuri and promises him that he will teach him so that he may be initiated in the Tradition of Knowledge. …”

SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS:  http://rampuri.com/

 

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WEBSITES OF NOTE…

CENTRE FOR CATHOLIC – JEWISH LEARNING

At Kings College, University of Western Ontario

http://kings.uwo.ca/ccjl/

"Inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue is a necessity for building together this world of peace and fraternity ardently desired by all people of good will."  (Pope Benedict XVI, 09-25-2006)

A word of welcome…

“In the forty years since the Second Vatican Council (1962-65), the relationship between the Jewish people and the Catholic Church has undergone a profound reorientation and renewal. Centuries of hostility, misunderstanding and distance have gradually yielded to a more positive, more respectful and collaborative relationship, in which Catholics have been challenged to revise their thinking and acting with regard to their Jewish sisters and brothers, and vice-versa. A people whom Catholics sometimes characterized as “faithless and “blind” are now our “beloved elder brothers and sisters in the faith,” and both Catholics and Jews have been energetic in re-building that relationship, enabling both communities to understand what they share—and where they differ.

The Centre for Catholic-Jewish Learning at King’s University College is an interfaith initiative meant to celebrate and further that renewal. We hope to provide a forum in which academics and other community members can discuss the many intersections between Christianity and Judaism, can learn more about each other, and can explore ways to cooperate in a fruitful and respectful manner. We intend our work to be an authentic expression of the transformation that began at Vatican II and continues today. As Jews and Christians, university members and community leaders, we hope to build an interdisciplinary network of relationships involving shared research, teaching and publication, and to offer resources to those who seek to join in that conversation.

We would welcome your feedback on our Web site; please feel free to contact us if we can be of any assistance. Please visit often, as we will be updating our site regularly.”

 

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View Trailer:
http://the8thfire.org/manitou_api/video.htm

Film Website:
http://www.the8thfire.org/manitou_api/

WEBSITES OF NOTE…

WELCOME TO PROSWASTIKA

The Swastika

“The word swastika is derived from the Sanskrit svastika (in Devanagari, स्वस्तिक), meaning any lucky or auspicious object, and in particular a mark made on persons and things to denote good luck. It is composed of su- (cognate with Greek ευ-, "eu-"), meaning "good, well" and asti a verbal abstract to the root as "to be"; svasti thus means "well-being". The suffix -ka forms a diminutive, and svastika might thus be translated literally as "little thing associated with well-being".

The swastika symbol is one of the oldest symbols on the Earth and can be found in all religions and traditions, on all continents.”

www.proswastika.org/index.php

 

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NEWS

NEWS - OTTAWA

Canadian International Peace Project

JEWISH-SOMALI MENTORSHIP PROJECT ATTRACTS MENTORS IN OTTAWA

“On Wednesday, June 16, 2010, professionals from the Jewish community in Ottawa participated in the Canadian International Peace Project's mentor information session of the Ottawa phase

Left toRight: Iman Salah,

Sara Alimardani,

The Hon. Jason Kenney,

Monica Kugelmass and Mark Zerecki

of the Jewish-Somali Mentorship Program at the Machzikei Hadas Congregation. Over forty enthusiastic members from different professional fields attended the session where they heard Minister of Citizenship, Immigration, and Multiculturalism, The Hon. Jason Kenney, praise the program and described it as "the single most important project that my department is supporting."  

CIPP Governor, Rabbi Reuven Bulka, shared his thoughts about the Project and stated that "this could arguably be a watershed project," which leads to more social cohesion in Canada.  

The Ottawa event was organized  Mark Zarecki, Director of Jewish Family Services in Ottawa and Monica Kugelmass, the Director of Canadian Parliamentary Coalition to Combat Anti-Semitism, who chaired the event. Ms Kugelmass is also a mentor in the project. The Hon. Irwin Cotler was unable to attend because of another commitment but has volunteered to be a Mentor in the Project.

The information session was a huge success given the high number of individuals who are willing to sign on in order to become mentors to the large number of mentees who have already signed up.    

The Canadian International Peace Project recognizes the critical importance of providing mentoring to the Canadian Somali community - a severely economically and socially disadvantaged community in Canada.  According to a study conducted by a number of agencies in Ottawa, approximately 84% of the Canadian Somali community is under 30 years of age.

The Canadian Somali community is the largest African Diaspora community and one of the largest Muslim communities in Canada. It lacks a critical mass of professionals that can mentor Somali university, college and young professionals. …”

CLICK TO CONTINUE READING THE STORY

 

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INSPIRATION

"I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve."

-          Albert Schweitzer

 

 

 

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DISCLAIMER:

We depend on contributors and website listings for our information and cannot guarantee its accuracy. Please confirm with the contacts listed.

Inclusion of an event, resource listing or news story in the newsletter or on the website does not imply an endorsement or recommendation on behalf of the publishers.

You are welcome to FORWARD this to interested persons and organizations, and to send us their e-mail address and name. (We keep the information confidential.)

 

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