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THIS WEEK—More than 100 Girl Scouts from across Michigan gathered at the internationally renowned Detroit Institute of Arts for a one-day challenge to explore the many religious themes in the DIA’s collection. This elaborately planned day of cross-cultural discovery was part of the 2020 redesign and relaunch of Brenda Rosenberg’s innovative Children of Abraham peacemaking project.
David Crumm reports on this unique day of adventure—as well as new friendships that were sparked across racial, cultural and religious lines—during the various opportunities within the multimedia program. With the publication of this book, Brenda’s program now becomes a national model for building multi-generational interfaith relationships that you can easily share with friends, discuss in your small group—and consider adapting for your region.
What Is ‘Reuniting the Children of Abraham’?
JOIN THIS SPIRITUAL ADVENTURE—Reuniting the Children of Abraham is a small book of timeless religious wisdom that invites readers everywhere to experience the unique program Brenda Rosenberg has been sharing with groups and conferences by special arrangement. Now, Front Edge Publishing has collaborated with Brenda to produce a book-length overview of the many deep connections between Christians, Muslims and Jews. This week’s Front Edge column is a more detailed overview of the book, including praise from early readers, plus a short biography of Brenda and our own columnist Suzy Farbman, who wrote the Foreword to the book.
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Holidays & Festivals 2020
HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE:
MEMORIES—
AND DIRE WARNINGS
Seventy-five years to the day of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, members of the United Nations collectively bow their heads for International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Stephanie Fenton has the story about this year’s 2020 programs hosted by the UN in New York. She also reports on the need for continued emphasis on Holocaust education, especially in light of the rising tide of antisemitic attacks around the world. Stephanie’s story includes the latest Pew Research overview of how much Americans know about the Holocaust—plus links to several other important reports from the New York Times, Chicago Tribune and Forbes.
In Ed McNulty’s FAITH & FILM section, this week, he reviews a Holocaust-related film that Netflix subscribers can stream at any time: The Photographer of Mauthausen. Based on a true story, Ed writes: “Though some grow weary of films dealing with the concentration camps of the Holocaust, I believe we should welcome each as one more piece of evidence of the toxic end result of antisemitism.”
Care to see all the holidays? It’s easy to find our annual calendar of global observances—just remember the address InterfaithHolidays.com
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Faith & Film
Click on this image to learn more about the January 2020 issue of Visual Parables Journal.
ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with discussion guides to films. This resource is used coast-to-coast by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.
Among Ed’s free reviews and columns are:
- DOLOMITE IS MY NAME—Ed writes, “This is one of Eddy Murphy’s funniest movies, but due to its extremely vulgar language and nudity, not one that I can recommend for any faith group to discuss. Director Craig Brew and the scriptwriters seem to be trying to outdo Quentin Tarantino in the use of the F word, so be forewarned.” He gives the film 4 out of 5 stars.
- 1917—Ed writes, “The action in most WWI films is confined to the trenches, but Sam Mendes epic is a journey film—one of just 9 miles, but given the obstacles, the trek couldn’t be more difficult and harrowing if it were 900. It is a race against time, and the stakes are high.” He gives the film 5 out of 5 stars.
- JUST MERCY—”Within ten minutes into the film I knew it belonged near the top of my annual 10 Best Films list,” Ed writes. (5 stars)
- LITTLE WOMEN—Ed urges all of us to see this Greta Gerwig version of the classic story before it leaves theaters, giving the film 5 stars.
- THE TWO POPES—”Brazilian director Fernando Merilles (City of God and The Constant Gardener) makes theological discourse exciting in this speculative film about the encounters between Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio (Jonathan Pryce) and Pope Benedict XVI (Anthony Hopkins).” (4.5 stars)
- RICHARD JEWELL—”The story of security guard Richard Jewell could be the prime example for that cynical adage: No good deed goes unpunished. Director Clint Eastwood brings us the dramatic story of a hero suddenly under FBI scrutiny and media attack as a villain guilty of a heinous crime.” (4 stars)
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