‘ONE EARTH WRITING’
MEET LYNNE—Our long-time motto at ReadTheSpirit is: Good media builds healthy communities. No one embodies that better than this author, teacher, media expert and peacemaker. At the New Year 5777, we invite you to meet this remarkable woman as she tells us about her new program One Earth Writing. As she puts it in this column: “When we sit at a table and share our fears and desires, our hopes and dreams, we connect. That’s what the youth who write with us do.” Please, read about this program—and share the news.
.
.
STORIES FROM RABBI ALPER …
THINKING OF JUDGING SOMEONE? Rabbi Bob Alper, a popular standup comic and author, shares a series of vignettes in which quick-to-judge people … well, they’re often surprised. Judgment and reconciliation are major themes in the Jewish High Holidays. They’re also common temptations in an emotional election year. Whatever your faith—these are timely little tales.
.
.
MORE NEW-YEAR-THEMED STORIES
GOOD NEWS TO SHARE—We’ve been publishing stories about inspiring people and programs. Here are some recent headlines you might have missed:
ROSH HASHANAH—What’s the Jewish New Year all about? Our holidays columnist Stephanie Fenton has the story. Start with this column about Rosh Hashanah (co-written by Jewish scholar Joe Lewis). Then, follow up with this story about Yom Kippur, the other major observance in the Jewish High Holidays.
HATE 2 HOPE! Yes, that’s possible! We also hope you’ll share news about this pioneering program by cross-cultural peace activist Brenda Rosenberg, based on her recent book about harnessing the power of tension in the world.
GEFILTE FISH, ANYONE? A group of smart young foodies are reinventing ways to enjoy traditional Jewish foods. They’ve started with the fish patties known as gefilte fish—and call their movement, The Gefilte Manifesto.
PICTURES AND CONVERSATIONS—Debra Darvick writes about a remarkable year in which she and her photographer husband have launched: Pictures and Conversations. It’s a method of starting thoughtful dialogues with friends.
.
.
3 TRUE TALES OF FAMILY TIES
1.) BONDING WITH BRONCOS—GodSigns columnist Suzy Farbman writes about a family with a three-generation love affair with football. It’s not about whether we win the game or even what game we choose to play, she writes—it’s about finding ways to enjoy our time together as parents and children.
.
.
.
2.) A SMILE FOR ‘UNCLE BILL’—The twist in this tale is that “Bill” wasn’t his real name. But, it became a loving monicker in Rodney Curtis’s family.
.
.
.
.
3.) REMEMBERING MY THIRD MOTHER—Debra Darvick writes about the passing of a major figure in her life. While sad, such milestones also remind us of important truths about our world, Debra writes.
.
.
.
.
HOLIDAYS and FESTIVALS
Check out all the holidays! Tell friends about the simply Web address: www.InterfaithHolidays.com
NAVARATRI—Hindus are celebrating the 10-day festival of Sharad Navaratri, emphasizing the motherhood of the Divine.
.
ST. FRANCIS DAY— Our friends at the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) are reaching out again this autumn to help communities mark St. Francis Day. October 4 is the official “feast day” for the saint, but many congregations nationwide will be remembering Francis—or hosting animal-blessing services—throughout the autumn. Visit this page to order a free HSUS kit, called St. Francis in a Box. If you’d simply like to read more about Francis, the HSUS has lots of information. And, if you’d like to read HSUS’s collection of faith statements about animals, then check out Every Living Thing.
.
FILM, FAITH
& POPULAR CULTURE
ED McNULTY—Enjoy all of the free resources from Ed McNulty’s faith-and-film website: VisualParables.org.
Among Ed’s latest movie reviews are:
- THE LADY IN NUMBER 6—To mark the Jewish High Holidays, Ed reviews and highly recommends this Oscar-winning short documentary, which currently is streaming for Netflix subscribers. He recommends the film as a testament to hope and thankfulness, even in life’s darkest moments. (5 out of 5 stars)
- BRIDGET JONES’ BABY—Ed says: Yes, it’s funny! And it’s better than the second film in this three-film series. But as a moral model? Hardly! (3.5 stars)
- SNOWDEN—Is Edward Snowden a patriotic prophet or the worst kind of traitor? Ed says the Oliver Stone movie raises those questions in a powerful way. (4.5 stars)
- DEEP WATER HORIZON—It’s a Hollywood thriller that also works as a social justice film. (4 stars)
- DIARY OF A CHAMBERMAID—This fourth remake of the 1900 French classic gets 4 stars.
.
.
.
.
