The EarthKeeper “Interfaith Respect” video series continues with a look at the Jewish faith with Dr. Michael Grossman of Ishpeming, Michigan.
The video ends with a drum solo and singing by Northern Michigan University student Emmanuel Shayo.
The series is brought to you buy the Northern Michigan University EarthKeeper Student Team and the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute and its related environment projects like the interfaith Earth Healing Initiative, the interfaith Upper Peninsula (U.P.) EarthKeeper Team and more.
Interfaith Respect has long been a goal of the U.P. EarthKeeper Team in northern Michigan.
On June 4, 2009 President Barack Obama said in Cairo, Egypt that people from different religions should respect each other’s faiths:
“The richness of religious diversity must be upheld … faith should bring us together.”
The video series began with a three part look at Islam (see links below) and now the Jewish faith.
Future videos will include Baha’i, Zen Buddhist and Christian (Catholic, Lutheran, United Church of Christ and more).
In this video we feature Dr. Michael Grossman, a member of Temple Beth Sholom, a Jewish Synagogue in Ishpeming, MI. After Dr. Grossman’s talk, you will hear NMU student Emmanuel Shayo who played a drum solo and sang.
Dr. Grossman joined faith leaders from other religions on April 23, 2009 in an address to NMU students.
The interfaith messages were deliver during the Sacred Planet series sponsored by the EarthKeeper NMU Student Team led by team leaders Sarah Swanson and Ben Scheelk.
The first three videos featured well-known Muslim Imam Hassan Qazwini, head of the Islamic Center of America, who spoke on Oct. 22, 2008 at the Lutheran Campus Ministry (LCM) Lothlórien House in Marquette, MI.
Imam Qazwini talked about his life, the Iraq War, the treatment of women in Islam, respect for the environment and the few differences between the world’s major religions. NMU Health & Nutrition Professor Mohey Mowafy of Marquette introduced Imam Hassan Qazwini.
Parts 1-3 on bliptv & youtube:
Interfaith Respect Series #1 Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini talks about his life during fall 2008 visit to Marquette:
Interfaith Respect Series #2: Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini discusses the Iraq War and other issues:
Interfaith Respect Series #3: Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini explains Islam and respect for women:
Other Interfaith Respect videos with:
Dr. Rodney H. Clarken, chair of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Marquette: Speaks about the history of the Baha’i faiht, the environment and the EarthKeeper Initiative.
Head Priest Reverend Tesshin Paul Lehmberg of the Lake Superior Zendo, Soto Zen Buddhist temple, Marquette, MI: Speaks about the history of the Buddhist and Zen Buddhist faith, the environment and the EarthKeeper Tree Project.
Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes of the Northern Great Lakes Synod for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
Speaks on the environment, interfaith projects and respect for each other’s faith.
The mother of three children, Catholic EarthKeeper team member Kyra Fillmore was the seedling distribution coordinator for the 2009 EarthKeeper Tree Project that was held in connection with Earth Day 2009 and saw the congregations of 100 churches and temples plant over 12,000 trees across the U.P. during May 2009: Fillmore speaks about the Catholic faith, the environment and the tree project including what it takes to organize the distribution of 12,000 seedlings across a 400-mile area.
United Church of Christ Rev. Dr. George Cairns of Chesterton IN: Cairns speaks about what can be learned from the Earth-based Celtic religion: Speaks in May 2009 about Celtic Christianity and the environment from Union Community Church (UCC) in Valparaiso, IN thanks to the congregation and its pastor, Rev. Dr. Gregory Augustus Jones, M.Div., D. Min, adjunct assistant professor of theology at Valparaiso University.
Dr. Cairns is the co-founder of the nonprofit Turtle island Project, a research professor with the Chicago Theological Seminary and Theologian in Residence at the Union Community Church.
The interfaith series includes music from the NMU Sacred Planet series: EarthKeeper volunteer Johnnie Bryant sang an original song and NMU student Emmanuel Shayo played the drums and sang.
The EarthKeepers are an interfaith environment group involving over 150 churches and temples across northern Michigan.
The EarthKeeper Initiative is co-sponsored by the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute, the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and 10 faith communities: Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha’i, Jewish, Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) and Zen Buddhist.
The EarthKeepers have ties to several other faiths including the Evangelical Covenant Church and Japanese Soka Gakkai International (SGI) Buddhist Network.
U.S. President Barack Obama interfaith quotes from Cairo, Egypt on June 4, 2009:
People in every country should be free to choose and live their faith based upon the persuasion of the mind, heart, and soul.
The richness of religious diversity must be upheld – whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt.
And fault lines must be closed among Muslims as well, as the divisions between Sunni and Shia have led to tragic violence, particularly in Iraq.
“Indeed, faith should bring us together.”
“That is why we are forging service projects in America that bring together Christians, Muslims, and Jews.”
“That is why we welcome efforts like Saudi Arabian King Abdullah’s Interfaith dialogue and Turkey’s leadership in the Alliance of Civilizations.
Around the world, we can turn dialogue into Interfaith service, so bridges between peoples lead to action – whether it is combating malaria in Africa, or providing relief after a natural disaster.”
“I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith, in every country – you, more than anyone, have the ability to remake this world.”
“The enduring faith of over a billion people is so much bigger than the narrow hatred of a few.”
“We should choose the right path, not just the easy path. There is also one rule that lies at the heart of every religion – that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us.
This truth transcends nations and peoples – a belief that isn’t new; that isn’t black or white or brown; that isn’t Christian, or Muslim or Jew.
It’s a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the heart of billions.
It’s a faith in other people, and it’s what brought me here today.”
“All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of Israelis and Palestinians can see their children grow up without fear; when the Holy Land of three great faiths is the place of peace that God intended it to be; when Jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims, and a place for all of the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully together as in the story of Isra, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed (peace be upon them) joined in prayer.”
And because the EarthKeepers stand for the equal treatment of all – we include the President’s remarks about respect for women’s rights:
President Obama said “the sixth issue that I want to address is women’s rights.”
“I know there is debate about this issue. I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality.
And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well-educated are far more likely to be prosperous.”
“Now let me be clear: issues of women’s equality are by no means simply an issue for Islam. In Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia, we have seen Muslim-majority countries elect a woman to lead.”
“Meanwhile, the struggle for women’s equality continues in many aspects of American life, and in countries around the world.”
“Our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons, and our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity – men and women – to reach their full potential.
I do not believe that women must make the same choices as men in order to be equal, and I respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles.
But it should be their choice.”
“That is why the United States will partner with any Muslim-majority country to support expanded literacy for girls, and to help young women pursue employment through micro-financing that helps people live their dreams.”
Related Links:
Rabbi Hillel:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillel_the_Elder
http://www.jewfaq.org/sages.htm
Artwork of Rabbi Hillel:
Rabbi Hillel artwork was “reproduced with cooperation of the Arthur Szyk Society in Burlingame, CA.
By the way, Szyk is pronounced “Schick” (like the razor) and has a Polish origin.
http://www.szyk.org/szykonline/hillel.html
The
Arthur Szyk Society
Not-for-profit organization
1200 Edgehill Drive
Burlingame, CA 94010
Phone:
1-650-343-9588 (office)
1-650-579-6014 (fax)
Special thanks to Allison Chang, the Society Coordinator for the Arthur Szyk Society
Jewish Virtual Library on Zohar
Drawing of Zohar on wikipedia:
Title page of first edition of the Zohar, Mantua, 1558 Library of Congress is in the Public Domain because its copyright has expired.
Kabbalah:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabbalah
http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/361877/jewish/The-Zohar.htm
Tree of Life (Kabbalah):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_of_life_(Kabbalah)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tree_of_life_wk_02.svg
Illustration:
A Public Domain version of the Kabbalistic tree with flaming sword in yellow. (The flaming sword that protects the Garden of Eden and the Tree of Life itself.)
Diagram by Morgan Leigh
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tree_of_life_wk_02.svg
Town of Safed (home of Jewish Mystics):
http://jewishmag.com/1mag/safad/safad.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safad
Wikipedia photo of city of Safed:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Safed1.jpg
Safed (צפת in Hebrew), a city in northern Israel. Taken by Beny Shlevich (Volland), on May 29th, 2006.
Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License
Wikipedia map of Safed:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Israel_outline_north_haifa.png
Map of North and Haifa districts of Israel
Map by Yan Nasonov from Petah Tikva, Israel, going by the alias Ynhockey because I once played hockey and have had this alias for over 6 years.
Wikipedia user Ynhockey:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Ynhockey
Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament)
11th century manuscript of the Hebrew Bible with Aramaic Targum image used under Creative Commons.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebrew_Bible
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Targum.jpg
Nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership in Marquette, MI
Nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette, MI
Two previous excerpts from the Marquette talk by Imam Hassan Qazwini:
Religions, people have few differences on bliptv
Religions, people have few differences on youtube
Selfish humans abuse Earth on MIEarth Video Website
Selfish humans abuse Earth on bliptv
Selfish humans abuse Earth on youtube
Islamic Center of America, Detroit, MI
http://www.tiredofthiscrap.com
Lutheran Campus Ministry native Species Garden
Northern Great Lakes Synod, Marquette, MI (Bishop Thomas Skrenes)
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
United Methodist Church Marquette District Office (Supt. Grant R. Lobb)
Marquette Unitarian Universalist Congregation (MUUC)
http://www.uuworld.org/news/articles/3754.shtml
Temple Beth Sholom, Ishpeming, MI
http://www.templebethsholom-ishpeming.org/tikkun
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette, MI (Bishop Alexander Sample)
Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan, Marquette, MI
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Episcopal_Diocese_of_Northern_Michigan
http://www.lakesuperiorinterfaith.com/bishopkelsey.html
Lake Superior Zendo, Soto Zen Buddhist Temple, Marquette, MI:
http://lakesuperiorzendo.googlepages.com/lakesuperiorzendo
Buddhadharma MahaSangha News:
http://www.shambhalasun.com/news/?p=1946
American Buddhist Network:
http://americanbuddhist.net/over-12-000-trees-planted-across-northern-michigan
http://americanbuddhist.net/michigan-buddhist-groups-helped-plant-12-000-trees
Buddhist Yahoo Darma Wellness Group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Dharma-Direct/message/17168
Presbytery of Mackinac (Presbyterian):
http://www.presbysupport.net/mac
http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2007/07188.htm
Quakers Lake Superior Friends, Marquette, MI:
http://www.quakerfinder.org/quaker/near/MI/Marquette/11767
http://www.northernyearlymeeting.org/meetings
MIEarth:
http://www.miearth.org/play.php?vid=368
http://www.miearth.org/play.php?vid=253
http://www.miearth.org/play.php?vid=252
http://www.miearth.org/play.php?vid=178
Celtic Christianity Today, founded by Rev. Dr. George Cairns:
http://www.celticchristianitytoday.org
Union Community Church in Valpraiso, IN:
http://unioncommunitychurchucc.blogspot.com
Rev. Dr. Gregory Augustus Jones:
Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain (Bahá’í Community) of Interfaith Resources – Special Ideas website:
Call Justice St. Rain at Interfaith resources
1-800-326-1197
Interfaith Resources
P.O. Box 9
511 Diamond Rd
Heltonville IN
47436
Stories on EarthKeeper projects (2005-2009):
EK Tree Planting final story:
http://earthkeepers.blip.tv/file/2108308
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMNGjxirmK4
EarthKeeper Column #6 by Catholic member Kyra Fillmore: Growing Faith:
http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/527268.html
EarthKeeper Column #5 by co-founder Rev. Jon Magnuson: Seeds, Signs and Symbols
http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/526935.html
EarthKeeper Column #4 by Presbyterian member Jill Martin: The Giving Tree
http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/526579.html
EarthKeeper Column #3 by Carl Lindquist: Great Lakes Ripple Effect
http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/526285.html
EarthKeeper Column #2 Rev. Tesshin Paul Lehmberg:
http://miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/525918.html?nav=5003
EarthKeeper Column #1 by Rev. Jon Magnuson:
http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/525642.html?nav=5003
Some of the Earthkeeper stories over the years:
http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/512057.html
http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/511861.html?nav=5052
http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/527270.html?nav=5001
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMNGjxirmK4
http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/community/story.aspx?id=295080
http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/news/story.aspx?id=290507
http://www.lscbc.com/news.php?id=509
http://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/507618.html?nav=5002
http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/512306.html
http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/526750.html
http://www.americancatholic.org/news/newsreport.aspx?id=999
http://www.catholicreview.org/subpages/storyworldnew-new.aspx?action=6082
http://cmonletsplantatree.blogspot.com
http://network.earthday.net/profiles/blogs/its-underway-update-rainbow
Lake Superior Magazine:
http://www.lakesuperior.com/online/295/295award.html
National Religion News:
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_84803_ENG_HTM.htm
http://news.bahai.org/story/449
http://www.thelutheran.org/article/article.cfm?article_id=6044
http://www.thelutheran.org/article/article.cfm?article_id=5918
Catholic News Service Preview Story on 2006 EarthKeeper Electronic Clean Sweep
Presbyterian News Service on 2006 Earth Keeper Electronic Waste Clean Sweep
Presbyterian News Service on 2007 EarthKeeper Pharmaceutical Clean Sweep
Environment Magazine on 2007 Pharmaceutical Clean Sweep
Environment News Service on 2007 Pharmaceutical Clean Sweep
Interfaith Good News Daily newspaper story says Faith-based Lake Superior benefit concert a big hit
Story on Earth Keeper Energy Summit in Cedar Tree Institute website
EarthTimes story on EarthKeepers
April 2005 EPA Significant Activites report on EarthKeepers
EPA story on the Upper Peninsula EarthKeepers
PR Web: Michigan Earth Day 2007 Project Nets Over Ton of Pharmaceuticals (has lots of photos on right side of page)
Michigan Earth Keepers video: One person can make a difference
2007 Earth Keeper Clean Sweep video on bliptv
Christian Post article on 2009 EarthKeeper Tree Project
Presbyterian News Service preview story on 2009 EarthKeeper Tree Project
The Interfaith Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Team planted 12,000 trees across 400 miles of northern Michigan during May 2009 thanks to the congregations of over 100 churches and temples.
A garden initiative is among the projects being considered in 2010.
Tags: Marquette, Michigan, Chicago Theological Seminary, ELCA, Islam, Muslim, Turtle Island, Native American, American Indian, tribe, Earth, religion, Christian, interfaith, Upper Peninsula, environment, Great Lakes, Jewish, pluralism, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, ecology, trees, pollution, respect, Bishop, Episcopal, fish, nature, wildlife, world, Northern Michigan University, EarthKeeper, college, professor, Old Testament, Ishpeming, theologian, wetlands, birds, students, Jesus, United Church of Christ, UCC, U.P., ecumenical, congregation, Jerusalem, air, poem, Violence, Hebrew, Jews, Egypt, river, sing, society, Chicago, Lutheran Campus Ministry, Earth Healing Initiative, EPA, recycle, Indiana, Earth Keeper Initiative, e-waste, pharmaceuticals, non-profit, volunteer, heritage, culture, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Superior, global warming, species extinction, stream, water, household hazardous waste, HHW, Roman Catholic, Bahai, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, landfill, Rev Jon Magnuson, church, Turtle Island Project, prejudice, Lake Superior Binational Forum, children, abuse, Cedar Tree Institute, NMU, Earth Keeper, EarthKeepers, Upper Peninsula EarthKeepers, forest, leaves, oxygen, carbon dioxide, co2, Clean Sweep, WBUP, WBKP, Upper Great Lakes News, UGN, WKQS, Sunny 102, Great Lakes Radio, WKQS Radio, Superior Watershed Partnership, faith community, Catholic, Unitarian Universalist, Religious Society of Friends, Quakers, Zen Buddhist, Northern Michigan University EarthKeeper Student Team, NMU EK, youth, green, blue planet, groundwater, animals, human race, extinct, Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Great Lakes National Programs Office, GLNPO, electronic waste, pharmaceutical, Anthony Manousos, Cindy Spring, K. Lauren DeBoer, Stanley Kunitz, essay, book, spiritual ecology, Al Gore, energy reduction, pollute, marsh, watershed, creek, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, tribes, teens, teenagers, Bishop James Kelsey, temple, pray, cooperation, tolerance, farm, Mother Earth, Iraq, Iraq war, Shia, Sunni, Islamic Center of America, nonprofit Turtle Island Project, Interfaith Respect, Muslim Imam Hassan Qazwini, Dr. Michael Grossman, Temple Beth Sholom, Synagogue, Lothlórien, women, Professor Mohey Mowafy, Sacred Planet series, EarthKeeper NMU Student Team, Sarah Swanson, Ben Scheelk, Dr. Rodney H. Clarken, Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Marquette, Head Priest Reverend Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, Lake Superior Zendo, Soto Zen Buddhist temple, Buddhist, Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes, Northern Great Lakes Synod, NGLS, Kyra Fillmore, seedling distribution coordinator for the EarthKeeper Tree Project, Earth Day 2009, Rev. Dr. George Cairns, Chesterton, Celtic religion, Union Community Church, Valpraiso, pastor, Rev. Dr. Gregory Augustus Jones, theology, Valparaiso University, NMU Sacred Planet series, Johnnie Bryant, song, guitar, drums, Evangelical Covenant Church and Japanese (SGI) Buddhist Network, President Barack Obama, speech, Cairo, Maronites, Lebanon, Copts, Muslims, Shitte, Saudi Arabian King Abdullah, Turkey, leadership, Alliance of Civilizations, Africa, relief, natural disaster, hatred, cradle of civilization, Israelis, Palestinians, Holy Land, peace, children of Abraham, Isra, Moses, Mohammed, prayer, respect for women’s rights, women's rights, denied equality, equality, educated, prosperous, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia, women's equality, American, life, countries, daughters, sons, humanity, men, potential, equal, traditional roles, literacy, girls, employment, micro-financing, dream, Lake Superior Interfaith, Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Marquette, United Methodist Church Marquette District Office, Supt. Grant R. Lobb, Marquette Unitarian Universalist Congregation, MUUC, Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette, Bishop Alexander Sample, Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan, Buddhist Network, Darma, Wellness, Presbytery of Mackinac, Quakers Lake Superior Friends, MIEarth, Celtic Christianity Today, Justice St. Rain, California, Rabbi Hillel, artwork, Arthur Szyk Society, Burlingame, Jew, Hebrew scriptures, mystics, Tree of Life, Kabbalah, Zohar, Mantua, Interfaith Resources, Special Ideas, woman, family violence, covered face, burkha, burka, burqa, burqua, submission, submissive, domestic violence
