Programs & Events: Archive

Workshop: Religions and Life Behind Bars
A One Day Workshop for the Administrators and Chaplains serving the correctional facilities in New York State
Date: May 2007
Location: To be announced
Time: To be announced
A full day workshop intended for administrators and chaplains that investigates the history, beliefs, rituals, and moral imperatives of the current prison population. The basic religious needs of the prison population as well as those particular to certain faiths are reviewed through the use of contemporary pedagogical methods. This will help participants to deal with interfaith conflict within their particular population.

Festival: Alternative Healing and World Religions
Date:April 2007
Location: To be announced
Time: To be announced
A day long festival where healers in world faiths and cultures will be invited to reserve tables and demonstrate their experience in public. As some alternative forms of healing are receiving great attention today, this would be a great learning experience to know about various experiences of healing.

A Symposium on: "Rumi, Sufism, and the Heart of the Abrahamic Tradition"
Place: Nazareth College of Rochester, Forum Shults Center,
Date: Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Time: 7:00 – 9: 00 p.m.
Presented by: Sheikh Kabir Helminski and Camille Helminski
For more information, see the flyer here.

A Symposium on: "Islam and the Challenge of Modernity"
Place: Nazareth College of Rochester, Forum, Shults Center,
Date: Saturday, March 24, 2007
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
For more information, see the flyer here.

CISD Second Anniversary Celebration
Date: March 8, 2007
Location: Shults Center Forum/Nazareth College Arts Center
Time: 5:30 p.m. dinner; 7:30 p.m. concert of sacred music
To see a transcript of the lecture given at the anniversary, click here.
For more details, see the Celebration Invitation (PDF).

Seminar: "Do We Worship the Same God?"
Date: November 27, 2006
Location: Shults Community Center, Forum, Nazareth College
Time: 7:00 PM
Catholic Speaker: Deacon George Dardess
Muslim Speaker: Dr. Mustafa Abushagur
Moderator: Dr. Christine Bochen
Sponsored by the Nazareth College Center for Interfaith Studies and Dialogue, Campus Ministry and the Muslim Catholic Alliance of Rochester
Free and open for all
For More Contact: Please e-mail :cisd@naz.edu or call 389-2963

What’s happening: A Seminar on Current Issues and Events Religion in Public Life: Where is America Heading?
Date: October 25, 2006
Location: To be announced
Time: To be announced
The program is part of a bi-yearly seminar in which representatives of the world religions and their academic counterparts analyze, from each faith tradition, issues that have arisen within the last six months. This seminar will address issues of religion and politics and the emerging rift between political right and political left and the religious right and the religious rift. What does the American future look like and where are we heading? CISD will invite pro and con speaker to address the issue. Click here for flyer

Teacher Workshops on Asian Culture
Date: October 28 and November 4, 2006
Location: To be announced
Time: 9:00-4:30
CISD and Nazareth College are offering an opportunity to secondary social and global studies, literature, visual and performing arts teachers to extend their knowledge of Asia. October 28 workshop will be focused on South Asia, November 4 workshop will be focused on East Asia. Teachers are welcome to attend both sessions. Click here for flyer

Workshop: Interfaith Encounter in World Religions:Understanding Religious Beliefs, Cultures, Rituals and Holidays
Dates: Oct. 25, Nov. 1, 8,15, 20
Location: Varies, see flyer
Time: 4:00-5:45 PM
This five session immersion program is for social and global studies teachers working in school districts of Greater Rochester area. Experts from the major world religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism) will be part of the program along with visits to places of worship to each of the above faiths.The program is vital for teachers in understanding the beliefs of a religiously diverse classroom and global community. Click here for flyer

Seminar: Understanding Rituals of Death and Dying in World Religions: A Seminar for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals
Date: September 20, 2006
Location: Academy of Medicine, 1441 East Avenue,
Rochester, NY 14610
Time: 5:00pm - 8:15pm
Admission is by registration only. Please call the CISD office: 389-2963
A seminar that will address the complexities of death and dying highlighted through the critical perspective of religious traditions from around the world. Participants will gain invaluable respect, wisdom and insight into the beauty and importance held in the traditions and beliefs of a variety of world religions. Supported in part by the Joseph E. Brown Fund of the Rochester Area Community Foundation (Co-Sponsored by Genesee Valley Nurses Association, Pi Psi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society, Nazareth College) View pictures here

Seminar: Development of Abrahamic Religions in the United States: Challenges and Prospects
Date: September 7, 2006
Location: Arts Center Room A-14
Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm
A seminar designed to reflect on the impact of 9/11 on Jewish, Christian and Muslim relations and the development of the concept of Abrahamic religions. Guest speaker, Dr. Sulayman Nyang, Professor of African Studies at Howard University, will also address some new challenges and prospects in the road ahead. (Co-sponsored by Multicultural Studies of Nazareth College and Fairfax Institute, Herndon, VA)

Seminar: Conflict Transformation Project: Interfaith Dialogue
Training In Conflict Resolution Skills and Interfaith Engagement
Date: August 5, 2006
Location: 9:00AM -3:00 PM
Time: Smyth Hall
Fifteen Evangelical Christians scholars, pastors and leaders and fifteen Muslims Imams, scholars and leaders participated in the area’s first seminar between Evangelical Christians and Muslims. Nazareth College President Daan Braveman made the opening remarks. The participants raised issues of mutual concern in a free and open atmosphere. The two communities were pleased with the outcome and agreed to continue with a series of dialogue sessions.
Co-sponsored by the Fuller Theological Seminary at Pasadena, CA, the Salam Institute for Peace and Justice, Washington D.C., the Islamic Society of North America at Indiana, and the CISD. View pictures here

Workshop: The Next Generation: Living Together in a Religiously Pluralistic Society
Date: August 25-27, 2006
Location: See flyer for more information
Time: See flyer for more information
Students will participate in a weekend workshop designed to educate and inform young people about religious traditions from around the world, focusing on the importance of interfaith knowledge in a religiously pluralistic society. The program allows for visits to religious places of worship and student participation in social and cultural exchange. Click here for flyer , view pictures here

Workshop: Training the Trainers: Understanding World Religions and Interfaith Relations
Date: June 12-16, 2006
Location: Smyth Hall, Room 146
Time: 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. each day
This is a week-long summer workshop designed for professionals, business people, religious leaders and social workers to become familiar with the practice and faith of the religious traditions of the world. The program will feature activities created to introduce knowledge of beliefs, topical discussions focused on moral imperatives and communal organization, and visits to religious centers of faith to understand worship. Registration fee: $119, dinner included. Click here for flyer , click here for Protestantism and Global Christianity Power Point Presentation

Workshop:Religions and Life Behind Bars
Date: May 31, 2006
Location: Shults Center, International Room
Time: 11:00 a.m.
This is a one day workshop for administrators and chaplains serving in the correctional facilities in New York State who investigate the history, beliefs, rituals, and moral imperatives of the current prison population. The basic religious needs of the prison population, as well as those particular to certain faiths, will be reviewed through the use of contemporary pedagogical methods in order to help participants deal with issues surrounding their particular population. Click here for flyer

Presentation: A Muslim Chaplain at Guantanamo Bay: His Story of Imprisonment and Intolerance
Date: April 4, 2006
James Yee, the former Muslim Army Chaplain at Guantanamo speaks out about imprisonment. At Guantanamo Bay he led prayer services, ministered to detainees, and struck up friendships with the small group of Muslims working on the base. He speaks out about his experiences of intolerance after he spent 76 days in a naval prison from being falsely accused of spying and aiding alleged Al-Qaeda prisoners being held at Guantanamo after 9/11. View pictures here.

First Anniversary of CISD Celebratory Dinner
Date: March 27, 2006, from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
This event includes a fundraising dinner in order to commemorate the one year anniversary of the opening of the Center for Interfaith Studies and Dialogue. The dinner will also offer an opportunity to meet and recognize other individuals of the Rochester and surrounding community and to celebrate the efforts to increase awareness of a religiously pluralistic world. View pictures here.

Interfaith Dinner
Date: March 27, 2006
Location: Shults Center Forum
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Reservations: $30/ person, $250/ table of 10
*Those who attend dinner will have reserved seats for the following performance

Sacred Music Performance of World Religions
Date: March 27, 2006
Location: Arts Center
Time: 7:30 p.m.
*Performance is free

Seminar: Religion and Ethics, Addressing Issues of Religion and Medical Ethics
Date: February 27, 2006, from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
This is a seminar intended to address the intricate issues surrounding matters of faith and bio-medical ethics. The program will focus on the reaction of world religions to the world of science and applying matters of belief to the increase in medical technology.
Workshop: Teaching and Understanding Beliefs and Practices of World Religions (For Social Studies/Global Studies Teachers)
Date: March 13, 2006
This half-day workshop is intended to inform teachers from both private and public schools (all grade levels) on the beliefs and practices of world religions. The needs and viewpoints of the teachers will be considered, as well as their expectations for their students. The program is vital for teachers in understanding the beliefs of a religiously diverse classroom and global community.

Anniversary of Nostra Aetate Luncheon Discussion
Location: Medaille Dining Room, Nazareth College
Date: December 7, 2005, at 12:00 Noon
Co-sponsors: The Jewish Community Federation of Rochester, Catholic Diocese of Rochester, and William H. Shannon Chair in Catholic Studies
Featuring: Bishop Matthew Clark, Dr. Joseph Kelly, Rabbi Alan Katz, Dr. Aly Nahas, and Father Joseph Brennan
This luncheon discussion celebrates the 40th anniversary of Nostra Aetate and its impact on interfaith dialogue in Rochester, New York. About 50 well known religious leaders will be participating in the discussion, including the Nazareth College President and the Catholic Diocese Bishop. View pictures here.

Workshop: World Religions: Holidays and Rituals (For Social Studies/Global Studies Teachers)
Location: Otto Shults Community Center, Forum, Nazareth College
Date: December 5, 2005, from 4:00 to 5:45 p.m.
This half-day workshop is intended to inform teachers from both private and public schools (all grade levels) on the rituals and holidays of world religions. The needs and viewpoints of the teachers will be considered, as well as their expectations for their students. The program is vital for teachers in understanding the beliefs of a religiously diverse classroom and global community.

Seminar: On Religion and Current Issues in Medical Ethics
Location: Otto Shults Community Center Forum at Nazareth College
Date: November 7, 2005 at 7 p.m.
Featuring: Dr. Thomas Donlin-Smith and Dr. Matthew J. Temple, O. Carm.
Co-sponsored by the Department of Campus Ministry and the Department of Religious Studies
This program is part of a bi-yearly seminar in which representatives of the world religions and their academic counterparts analyze issues that have arisen within the last six months from each faith and tradition. The seminar is designed to stimulate understanding and dialogue between different faith traditions within the scope of current events. This seminar is free and open to the public.
Seminar and Workshop: Healing the Whole Person: Religious Perspectives on Healthcare
Location: The Linehan Interfaith Chapel, Golisano Academic Center.
Date: September 28, 2005, from 6 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. (NOTE: For those who registered, there will be a light supper at 5:15 p.m. in the Campus Ministry Community Room, Golisano Academic Center.)
Co-sponsor: The Pi Psi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau
This seminar and workshop is dedicated to the examination of the spiritual dimension of the body-mind connection and the particular religious needs of those involved in the health care system. Speakers from different world religions will present a brief overview on the subject. Registration is $10.00 for students and $20.00 for the public.
Presenters include: Dr. Nathan Kollar: Essentials of the body, mind and soul relationship; Frank Howard: The Buddhist perspective; V.V. Raman: Healing the whole person in Hinduism; Dr. Bilal Ahmad: Healing the whole person in Islam; Rabbi Laurence Skopitz: The Jewish perspective on healing; Dr. Susan Novak: The Christian perspective on healing.

Seminar: Religious Perspective on Healing and Hope
Location: Otto Shults Community Center Forum at Nazareth College
Date: September 11, 2005, at 3 p.m.
This seminar is designed to reflect upon the impact of violence and the need for healing and hope. The program will include interfaith prayers followed by a lecture on the religious perspective of healing and hope. The guest speaker is Dr. Olle Jane Z. Sahler, M.D. from the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at the Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong Hospital in Rochester, NY.
Seminar: Understanding Rituals of Death and Dying in World Religions: For Nurses and Volunteers Working in the Hospice
Location: Otto Shults Community Center Forum at Nazareth College
Date: September 21, 2005, Registration/refreshments at 6 p.m., Seminar begins at 6:30 p.m.
Co-Sponsor: St. John's Home
This seminar addresses the complexity of thought and belief within the issues of death and dying, highlighted through the critical perspective of religious traditions from around the world. Participants will gain invaluable respect, wisdom and insight into the beauty and importance held within the traditions and beliefs of a variety of world religions.

Seminar: Faith Based Initiatives: Religion and State Issues
Location: Nazareth College Arts Center, A-183
Date: April 4, 2005 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Co-sponsors: The Nazareth College Departments of Religious Studies and Campus Ministry, and ACLU of Rochester and Genesee Valley
Speakers: - Mel Walczak, manager of the Office of Faith Based & Community Initiatives of Monroe County, New York. Walczak holds a master of divinity degree from St. Bernard's Seminary in Rochester. He is a former priest, serving within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, and is presently directing outreach to the faith based community in general. Walczak also serves as the liaison for local county government to both faith based and community organizations. He will be speaking on the pro-aspect of the faith based initiatives.
- Rev. Alan Newton, executive minister of the American Baptist Churches of the Rochester/Genesee Region since June 1, 2002. He has a master of divinity degree from Andover Newton Theological School and was ordained in the American Baptist church in 1979. Newton is also the current chair of the Interfaith Forum of the Rochester Area. He believes in religious liberty by keeping church and state separate as a mission ordained by God. He will be speaking on the con-aspect of the faith based initiatives.
One-Day Certificate Program: Understanding World Religions and Building Interfaith Relations
Location: Otto Shults Community Center Forum at Nazareth College
Date: March 14, 2005 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Co-Sponsors: The Catholic Diocese of Rochester and the Nazareth College Departments of Religious Studies and Campus Ministry
This program was designed to assist administrators and chaplains of New York State Correctional Facilities as they build interfaith relations and create richer spiritual environments for the communities they serve. Attendees will be addressed by experts in a variety of world religions.

Seminar: Placing the Commandments in Public Places: State and Religious Issues
Location:Otto Shults Community Center Forum at Nazareth College Date: March 1, 2005 at 7:00 p.m.
Co-Sponsors: The ACLU and the Nazareth College Departments of Religious Studies and Campus Ministry
The issue of whether or not the biblical Ten Commandments should be posted in public places is going up for debate before the US Supreme Court, and this seminar is designed to educate the community on the many viewpoints of this question concerning state, religion and the First Amendment. Speakers include: Scott Brenon Caton, Ph.D., Professor of History at Roberts Wesleyan College, will speak on the beneficial aspects of placing the Commandments in public places. Mark D. Hosken, ESQ, Assistant Federal Defender, WDNY, will speak on the negative impact of of placing the Commandments in public places.

The Inauguration for the Center for Interfaith Studies and Dialogue
Date: February 1, 2005
The Inauguration included a press conference in the Golisano Academic Center, and an evening lecture featuring Dr. William Grassi of the Metanexus Institute on the topic of “Universal Reason: Science, Religion and the Foundation of Civil Societies.” The Metanexus Institute is a leading organization in the growing dialogue between the religious and scientific communities that explores the intersections between these different modes of intellectual inquiry and pursuit. To view images from this event, please click on the link.

September 11 Commemorations: The CISD has held annual memorial programs and informal seminars to commemorate the tragedy of September 11. Past commemorations have been held at the George Eastman House and at Nazareth College with themes such as “Did 9/11 Change Our Religions? An Interfaith Dialogue.” Each commemoration addresses a new, challenging topic pertinent to current events in the area of inter-religious dialogue.

Teaching and Learning about World Religions: The CISD continues to sponsor an ongoing series of intensive educational workshops for local area teachers in geography, social and global studies, humanities and other related disciplines. Teachers from the Brighton, Rochester, and Pittsford school districts have participated, exploring diverse topics such as “Rituals and Festival Celebrations." Educators wishing to arrange such a program should contact the CISD’s executive director and/or a board member regarding their interest.

Programs & Events: Archive

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