Interfaith panel to discuss mental health issues and challenges

Please join a community of interfaith groups at a forum to address:

"Mental Health Issues and Challenges

Facing Metro Detroit's Diverse Faith Traditions"

Wednesday, May 16th

6:30 PM to 9:00 PM

The Community House, 380 S. Bates, Birmingham

Sponsored by the Family and Youth Institute, the Interfaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit, Kadima, The Race Relations and Diversity Task Force of the Birmingham Community House, and WISDOM (Women's Interfaith Solutions for Dialogue and Outreach in MetroDetroit), the panel will include experts in the mental health field representing the Christian, Hindu, Jewish, and Muslim faith traditions:

Nacha Leaf (Jewish), Clinical Social Worker/Therapist at Kadima, a Jewish mental health agency in Southfield

Sameera Ahmed (Muslim), Director of the Family & Youth Institute and a Clinical Assistant Professor at Wayne State University in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience.

Rev. Sandra Gordon (Christian), Assistant to Pastor Kenneth Flowers at the Greater New Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit, and former Co-chairperson of the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program.

Mona Belsare (Hindu), Vice President of the Michigan Asian Indian Family Services which serves the South Asian community, and a psychiatric social worker in the ER at Beaumont Hospital.

The presentation will focus predominately on youth of multiple faith groups, the challenges that they face, and the stigma attached to dealing with mental illnesses. Information will include steps that teachers, parents, family members, and clinicians can take to ensure that mental health issues of youth in specific faith traditions are addressed.

The event is free and refreshments will be served. For further information or to register, please contact Sheri Schiff, sheri1228@yahoo.com. 

Muslim Observer spotlights Amy-Jill Levine's talk on Jesus and Judaism

Dr. Amy-Jill Levine speaking March 30 in Royal Oak. Photo by Laura Fawaz | Mulsim ObserverLaura Fawaz from the Muslim Observer, an international media service for the Muslim community, covered the March 30 lecture by Dr. Amy-Jill Levine on "Understanding Jesus Means Understanding Judaism: Tips for Preaching and Teaching."  While the talk was directed primarily to Christian preachers, Fawaz noted the diversity of faiths in attendance and remarked that Levine "was sure to make each group feel included in her speech."

Fawaz noted, "Dr. Levine has the remarkable ability to be hard-hitting, pointing out how even liberal Christians can inadvertently misunderstand who Jesus was, as a Jew, and what he stood for. . . she has a witted humor with analogies that really hit the point she’s trying to make, and in an entertaining manner."

According to the article, Levine recommended the faithful read the holy books of other traditions. Fawaz said, "if we want our neighbors to respect us, which means not only just meeting us, but also knowing something about our traditions and our values and our scriptures, we owe our neighbors the same courtesy."

Read the complete article at the Muslim Observer. 

Explore metro Detroit's holy places through Houses of Worship Photos Project

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Monroe, Michigan, by John Hile as part of Houses of Worship Photo Project.

Seeking talented volunteer photographers

The Interfaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit and ReadTheSpirit online magazine are launching an exciting opportunity this month: the Houses of Worship Photos Project. 

This project will synergize the efforts of volunteer photographers and worship communities, spotlighting the rich heritage of metro Detroit's faith traditions. Quality photos of worship life and architecture will be loaded onto the trusted photo database Wikimedia Commons (part of Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia).  This serves a twofold purpose: journalists, writers, teachers, community leaders and curious onlookers can readily explore the diverse array of Michigan's worship spaces, and faith communities can share snapshots of their worship life with the world.

Sound interesting? Get  involved!

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National TV networks showcase diverse cultures and faith traditions

IFLC has recently received notice of two major television networks showcasing some of the diverse culture and faith traditions found in the Detroit metropolitan area.

Arab American Stories

Beginning April 2 at 7:30 p.m., Detroit Public Television premiered this new 13-part series on contemporary Arab-American life.  Hosted by National Public Radio reporter Neda Ulaby and directed by the award-winning Alicia Sams, Arab American Stories highlights the diversity of the Arab American experience from generation to generation.  You’ll recognize Diane Rehm of NPR in the first episode.

Click the image below to watch a preview.  Past episodes will be available online and on demand.

What They Believe: Hindus, Zoroastrians, Baha'is

On Sunday, April 15, the CBS Television Network will broadcast a religion special providing insights to the beliefs and rituals of three faith communities: Hindus, Zoroastrians, and Baha'is.  According to the press release, the program explores the traditions and beliefs of three religions not well-known in most of the United States.  The broadcast "hopes to reveal these faiths with their rich and historic traditions."

Check your local PBS station for time listings. Following the April 15 air date, the program may be viewed again at www.cbsnews.com/religionculture.

Check out these upcoming interfaith events in April and May

The IFLC of Metropolitan Detroit is a resource for interfaith education, news, and events. To request inclusion in our calendar, email detroit.interfaith.council@gmail.com.

This month includes several events hosted by the Troy-Area Interfaith Group, the Interfaith Center for Racial Justice, WISDOM, and many others.

For more details, follow the links or check out the Google calendar on the right sidebar. We look forward to seeing you at the next interfaith gathering!

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