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1988-2000 Events
1988
Fall Facing History and Ourselves – seven sessions in this series

1989
February 5 Potluck dinner for participants of Facing History and Ourselves

  LEARNING ABOUT EACH OTHER: FOUNDATIONS OF JUDAISM AND CHRISTIANITY
April 13 Judaism as Seen Through Life Cycle Events
    Rabbi Herman Blumberg, Temple Shir Tikva, Wayland
    Rabbi Mark Cooper, Temple Israel, Natick

April 27 Judaism as Seen Through Festivals and Holidays
    Rabbi Herman Blumberg, Temple Shir Tikva, Wayland
    Rabbi Mark Cooper, Temple Israel, Natick

May 4 Emergence of the Christian Church from Judaism
    Sister Mary Boys, Assistant Professor of Theology and Religion, Boston College

May 11 Christianity Today: Tensions of Ecumenism and Pluralism
    Rev. W. Murray Kenney, (Interim appointment)
    Saint John’s Episcopal Church, Arlington

  COMMON SCRIPTURES – DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES (FALL SERIES)
November
1, 8, 15, 29
Studies from Exodus, Genesis, Matthew, and Isaiah, facilitated by:
    Rabbi Herman Blumberg, Temple Shir Tikva, Wayland
    Rabbi Revs. Judith and Harry Hoehler, First Parish UUA, Weston

November 7 The Perception of the Other – Jews and Christians Throughout History
    Dr. Krister Stendahl (Retired), Bishop of Stockholm and former Dean, Harvard Divinity School

1990
  COMMON SCRIPTURES – DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES (WINTER SERIES)
March
6, 13, 20, 27
Studies from Genesis and Exodus, and scriptural passages related to the themes of love and justice, facilitated by:
    Rev. David Van Dusen,, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Weston
    Rabbi David Whiman, Temple Shalom, Newton
    Polly Dickson, Coordinator of Lay Ministry, St. Peter’s Church, Weston
    Julie Vanek, Temple Educator, Temple Shalom

Spring Facing History and Ourselves – six sessions in this series

  COMMON SCRIPTURES – DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES (SPRING SERIES)
May 17, 24 Studying the concept of Covenant and perspectives of sin and repentance, of seeking and receiving forgiveness, facilitated by:
    Rabbi Mark Cooper
    Rev. Susan Crane, First Baptist Church, Weston

September 30 Potluck dinner, “Weapons of the Spirit”
    Video, followed by small group discussion.

  COMMON SCRIPTURES – DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES (FALL SERIES)
November
1, 8, 14
“Exploring Genesis: Insights into Judaism and Christianity” , a participatory Bible Study, facilitated by:
    Rev. Shep Johnson, United Methodist Church, Weston
    Rabbi Ronald Weiss, Temple Beth Elohim, Wellesley

1991
March 19 “Who Needs God?” – lecture and discussion
    Rabbi Harold Kushner, Rabbi Laureate, Temple Israel, Natick (and best-selling author)


  SPRING LECTURE SERIES
  Promises and Obstacles Regarding A More Tolerant World
    Dr. James Kodera, Chairman and Professor of Religion, Wellesley College, historian of religion
April 21 The Age of Toleration and Respect: In Spain and China before Columbus

April 28 World-Conquering Religions: Islam and Christianity

May 5 Visions of a More Tolerant Future: Toward A Pluralistic World

1992
January 21 Racial and Ethnic Conflict in the World, the United States, and Weston: Where Are We Heading?
    Dr. Lawrence H. Fuchs, Meyer and Walter Jaffe Professor of American Civilization and Politics,
    Brandeis University
* The above program was in conjunction with The Roxbury-Weston Programs, Inc.


May 5 A Conversation with Scholars: Looking at Christianity, Islam, and Judaism From the Inside Looking Out
    Sister Mary Boys, Matthew Gordon, Lecturer, Theology Department, Boston College
    Rabbi Murray Rothman, Rabbi Emeritus, Temple Shalom, Newton; Lecturer, Theology Department,
    Boston College; Lecturer, Andover Newton Theological School


1993
April 27 Laughter, A Gift From God: Humor In Religion
    Dr. Thomas Groomre Professor of Theology and Religious Education, Boston College
    Dr. Moshe Waldoks, writer, lecturer, actor, producer, media specialist


October 3 Youth, Spirituality and Religion
    A panel of selected Weston High School students in conversation with Dr. Tom Cottle,
    psychologist, author, Channel 5 commentator on contemporary social issues.


1994
March 6 After the Handshake: Prospects for Peace In The Middle East
Report by the Task Force of the U.S. Inter-religious Committee for Peace In The Middle East, that went to Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and the West Bank in December 1993.
    Moderator: Rev. Harry Hoehler, First Parish UUA, Weston
    Panel:
    Dr. Mian Ashraf, Cardiologist and President of the Islamic Center of New England, MA
    Father Raymond Helmick, S.J., Professor of Theology, Boston College
    Enid Shapiro, Community Relations Director, member, Jewish Community
    Relations Council of Boston
    Melvin Shapiro, Attorney and member of the Jewish Community Relations Council
* The above program was in conjunction with the Weston Clergy Association


May 2 To Have an Eye for Humor – As Does God
    Brita and Dr. Krister Stendahl


November 13 Acts of Reconciliation
    Anna Smulowitz, Families of Holocaust Survivors
* The above program was in conjunction with Regis College, Weston, MA


1995
  LIFE CYCLES AND TRADITIONS FOR CHRISTIANS, JEWS AND MUSLIMS
    Presentations by religious leaders and lay persons of each faith, followed by panel discussions
January 22 Celebrations of Childhood

February 5 Customs of Dating, Interfaith Courtship and Marriage

February 12 Rituals of Caring in Times of Sorrow

May 2 An Interfaith Pilgrimage to Holocaust Sites
    Rev. Dr. Philip J. Mayher, Congregational Church, Weston


1996
January 16 Churches, Monasteries and Islamic Shrines in Iraq
    Video, with commentary by Dr. Alia Antoon


February Intercultural, interfaith and interracial experiences for local youth
    Jean Weaver, founder of Robert Weaver Interfaith Youth Leadership Program
    Carol Ott, teacher in Weston Middle School, founder of “Bridges” program


November
December
THE HISTORIC JEWISH-CHRISTIAN ENCOUNTER
Where We Were, Where We Are and Where We Are Going
    Six-part lecture and dialogue series based on the “Sharing Shalom” curriculum,
    continued through February, 1997.


1997
March 9 America’s New Religious Landscape: Diversity and Pluralism
    Diana Eck, Professor of Comparative Religions and Indian Studies,
    Harvard University, and author of Encountering God,


  LEARNING FROM EACH OTHER’S FAITH STORIES: BUILDING BRIDGES AMONG MUSLIMS, CHRISTIANS AND JEWS
Presentations by religious leaders, educators and lay persons, followed by small-group discussions.
September 21 Creation: Our Stories From The Beginning

October 5 Adam and Eve: Awareness of Good and Evil

October 26 Cain and Abel: Accountability and Judgment

November 2 Abraham – Our Common Patriarch: Faith and Obedience

November 16 Sarah, Hagar, Ishmael, Isaac: Our Roots and Relationships

1998
March 8 BEYOND BUILDING BRIDGES
    Potluck supper for participants of “Learning From Each Other’s Faith Stories”
    (An informal opportunity to ask questions about each other’s faith)


April 30 The Role of Religious Cooperation in Building Peace
    Dr. William Vendley, Secretary General, World Council on Religion and Peace, United Nations
* This program was in conjunction with the Department of Religious Studies and The Office of Campus Ministry, Regis College, Weston, MA


June 3 Annual Meeting and dinner
  A Celebration – “Ten years of Interfaith Fellowship and Learning from Holidays to Faith Sharing”

    A presentation by two of WWIAG’s founding members

  THREE PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS ON MOSES, JESUS, AND MUHAMMAD : MESSENGERS OF GOD
October 25 Moses, Jesus, Muhammad : Who Are They?
    The Rev. Carol Flett, St. Peter’s Church, Weston
    Carl Whittaker, Temple Shir Tikva, Wayland
    Aziz Zilanawala, Islamic Center of Boston, Wayland

November 8 Moses, Jesus, Muhammad : What Was Their Message?
    Dick Brisk, Temple Shir Tikva, Wayland
    Dr. Ahmed Mehanna, Islamic Center of Boston, Wayland
    The Rev. E. Moreano, First Parish Church, Weston

Third presentation occurs in January 1999 - see below

1999
January 31 Potluck Supper and Discussion
    Moses, Jesus, Muhammad : How Do We Remember Them And Follow Their Messages?

March 16 Inaugural Peg Kerwin Memorial Presentation
  Interfaith Relations

    The Rev. David Michael, Chaplain, Brandeis University

June 6 Annual Meeting
  Kashmir - An Introduction to A Multicultural Region At the Crossroads

    Dr. Mian Muhammad Ashraf, founder of The Islamic Center of New England
    Ms. Farah Pandith , graduate of The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy

October 24 Interfaith Youth Speak Out about how their faith traditions help to support them in today’s troubled world.
    Presented by Christian, Jewish and Muslim members of the Anti-Defamation League /
    Weaver Interfaith Youth Leadership Program

2000
February 6 Potluck Supper and Discussion
    World, National, and Local Problems As WWIAG Opportunities

March 15 Second Annual Peg Kerwin Memorial Presentation
  Sharing Jerusalem

    Tamara Beliak, Class of 2000, Brandeis University

May 2 Yom Hashoah – Holocaust Vigil and Commemoration
    Weston Town Green

June 6 Annual Meeting
  Shared Stories: The Queen of Sheba in Three Faiths

    Professor Carole Fontaine, Andover Newton Theological School

  LECTURE SERIES ON FORGIVENESS
October 29 Forgiveness: Three Faith Traditions
    Rabbi Herman Blumberg, Temple Shir Tikva, Wayland
    The Rev. Tad Evans, St. Peter’s Church, Weston
    Dr. Ghiath Reda, Islamic Center of Boston, Wayland

November 5 Forgiveness: A Case Study From South Africa
    Video and Discussion of Bill Moyer’s interview with Archbishop Desmond Tutu

November 12 Forgiveness: The Process
  A Panel Discussion Presented by WWIAG Leadership Members

    Tehmina Khan, Philip J. Mayher, Nancy Corcoran, Polly Dickson