Date:
Friday, November 30, 2018 (All day)
Location:
Boylston Hall, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
In response to the Tree of Life Shooting in Pittsburgh, the Harvard College Interfaith Forum and Harvard’s Facilitators of Religious, Ethical and Spiritual Inquiry (FRESI), co-hosted an event called “Beyond Thoughts & Prayers: An Interfaith Conversation.” The event was organized by Harvard freshman Sana Shareef, a member of both hosting organizations. She brought together a distinguished panel including Professor Stephanie Paulsell, Susan Shallcross Swartz, Professor of the Practice of Christian Studies at Harvard Divinity School; Imam Khalil Abdur Rashid, Muslim Chaplain for Harvard University; Rabbi Jonah Steinberg, Jewish Chaplain for Harvard University and Executive Director of Harvard Hillel; Amitai Abouzaglo, Harvard College junior and founder of Harvard’s Spiritual, Ethical and Religious Counsel; Cara Kupferman, Harvard College junior and student leader in Harvard Hillel; and Benjamin Schafer, Harvard College senior, president of Harvard College Interfaith Forum and student deacon at Memorial Church of Harvard University.
In a discussion led by Shareef, panelists shared their experiences of interfaith work, especially the ways in which they have helped to encourage others to get outside of their religious, cultural and political bubbles. A pervasive theme throughout the event was the importance of friendship, whether in finding points of connection with strangers with whom you may disagree, or in developing lifelong relationships with colleagues of different faiths. The personal stories shared by panelists were both educational and inspiring. Most of the attendees at the event were Harvard students, and many gathered afterwards for refreshments and more conversation.