A courageous woman became a peacemaker
And now—an opportunity to participate in-person in Michigan in December 2024
COVER STORY: This week’s top story is very good news for anyone who cares about improving the relationships between the many religious groups that are an active part of our American communities. ReadTheSpirit Editor David Crumm reports on the life and legacy of an interfaith pioneer—Sylvia Kaufman. Right now, there are two opportunities to learn more about the peacemaking efforts of Kaufman and the ongoing team of interfaith professionals she inspired in west Michigan: There’s a new illustrated biography of Sylvia Kaufman, a refreshing story that’s a timely alternative to current headlines about religious conflict. And—also right now—there are still openings to take part in a unique day-long “trialogue” of Christian, Muslim and Jewish scholars taking place in west Michigan on December 5. (And, yes, within our Cover Story, we’ve got easy links to sign up for that event, if you can be in that part of the U.S. in early December.)
This is a “good news” story that’s worth sharing with friends, as well. We hope that after reading it, you’ll want to pass along this news to others via social media or email. Thanks, in advance, for doing so!
.
.
Our Writers Wrestle with the World to Come
Our ReadTheSpirit authors share a commitment to celebrating diversity and encouraging inclusivity. So, most of our writers find themselves publicly wrestling with the new shape of our world that is emerging since the American presidential election. Our role as an online magazine and publishing house is to highlight our writers’ voices—so we are highlighting some of the columns in which these thoughtful professionals are expressing their concerns and their hopes.
WE RECOMMEND STARTING with a fascinating report from MSU School of Journalism’s Joe Grimm on the way diversity issues nationwide seem to have tilted the election—in surprising ways. Joe’s column is headlined: What did this election show us? We all need to learn more about our neighbors’ diverse gifts..
Jack Harnish, author of Thirty Days with E. Stanley Jones, wrote in his online column:
Jeffrey Munroe, editor of The Reformed Journal and the book, Telling Stories in the Dark, is publishing an ongoing series of columns in the pages of his online Journal:
- Debra Rienstra: “The Enemy Within“
- Kathryn Schoon-Tanis: “Time to Shout the Good News“
Bill Tammeus, veteran journalist and author of Love, Loss and Endurance (which includes a section on “Unplugging Extremism”), wrote:
The National Catholic Reporter, the subject of the new book Beacon of Justice, Community and Hope, is posting an ongoing series of columns, including:
- Joan Chittister: “The Election that Turned the Other Direction: What do we do now?“
George Mason, author of The Word Made Fresh, wrote:
Jonathan Grimm, author of the upcoming The Future Poor and the creator of a popular news service “The Grimm News,” wrote:
.
.
And more good news from our writers
Jonathan Grimm on—
the Value of Publishing
Financial consultant and ‘The Future Poor’ author Jonathan Grimm reports in our Front Edge Publishing column, this week, about new data showing there’s real value in publishing a book—especially if that book is tied into the author’s business.
.
.
.
Holidays & Festivals
Nativity Fast begins as Eastern Christians prepare to welcome Jesus’s birth
HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS COLUMNIST STEPHANIE FENTON reports on the start of the 40-day Nativity Fast—an ancient tradition in Orthodox churches as their millions of members prepare for Jesus’s birth in December.
.
More than turkey:
Many tastes and traditions flow through our American Thanksgiving
WE’RE ASKING OUR WRITERS TO SHARE HOLIDAY MEMORIES—and here’s a vivid snapshot of Arab-American children talking about the ways their families adapt the American tradition of Thanksgiving.
.
And, Top 10 Thanksgiving Events
STEPHANIE FENTON HAS THIS PREVIEW of the Top 10 events and observances that now are clustered around American Thanksgiving Day.
..
WANT TO SEE ALL OF THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS? It’s easy to find our annual calendar of global observances. Just remember the web address: InterfaithHolidays.com
.
Faith & Film
Click the movie poster to read Ed McNulty’s review.
Ed McNulty’s Favorite Thanksgiving Films
ED McNULTY, for decades, published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film.
Here are four Thanksgiving films Ed recommended for November viewing:
- AVALON (1990)—In director Barry Levinson’s beloved Baltimore, a large immigrant family gathers annually for Thanksgiving with the grandfather telling stories—until many changes in culture and the family itself begin to loosen those ties.
- PIECES OF APRIL (2003)—Writer-director Peter Hedges serves up a delightful family story of a daughter, played by Katie Holmes, who tries to mend fences with her family by pulling together a Thanksgiving dinner in her tiny apartment.
- WHAT’S COOKING (2000)—Filmmaker Gurinder Chadha presides over a multi-cultural banquet of a film, set in Los Angeles just before and during Thanksgiving.
- HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS (1995)—Directed by Jodie Foster, this romantic comedy shines largely because of the stellar cast, starting with Holly Hunter (as a Mom who has terrible luck just before Thanksgiving), supported by Robert Downey Jr., Dylan McDermott, Anne Bancroft, Charles Durning and Claire Danes.
.
Remembering Our Friend’s Prophetic Voice
ED McNULTY (1936-1924) was nationally known as a pioneer in film criticism with his prophetic style of “Faith and Film” reviews. To read more about his life—we know you will enjoy this obituary and remembrance of his remarkable life.
Much like Roger Ebert’s wife Chaz and their friends have continued to maintain his online database of film reviews—ReadTheSpirit.com magazine has decided to maintain Ed’s substantial body of work, including these 100s of his faith-and film reviews. In today’s world of streaming, viewers may choose to enjoy these films anytime. In addition, we will continue to highlight faith-and-film themes that Ed enjoyed.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.