Tag Archive for Jewish

Seeds of Peace

Because of the significance of the season--notably Good Friday today, beginning of Passover tonight, Easter Sunday in two days–I’d like us all to think about peace.

PEACE is God’s loving gift to us.  All He asks is that we accept it together.  All of us, from all faiths.  One way is through “The Peace Seeds.”  These 12 prayers were prayed in  Assisi on the 1986 Day of Prayer for World Peace.  They are Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Muslim, Sikh, Bahai’, Shinto, Native African, Native American, Zoroastrian, Jewish, and Christian.  They may refer to the Life Force in different ways, but all call on it to help us attain the peace our Father wishes for us.

Let each prayer touch you deeply, where your longing for peace lives. Feel the unity of the world is in its craving for peace.  Then call upon God using each prayer.  You may want to change the references you aren’t comfortable with: “Vedic Law” in the Hindu to “Holy Law” or “Buddhahood” to “Your Will.” Remember: God wants not mere words from us but a unified desire to accept His gift.

You’ll find the Peace Seed Prayers at http://chaplaincyinstitute.org/library/blessings-and-prayers/interfaith-prayers-for-peace.

April: Focusing on Faith

April is a busy month.  Several religions celebrate important spiritual occasions during this month.  I thought I’d list them and encourage all believers to honor their own  religious tradition not only by  respecting the sacred beliefs of others but also by remembering that we are all part of the same human family under that Supreme Being/Force/God–whatever name we affix to Him/Her/It.

April:

1–Lazarus Saturday – Orthodox Christian

2–Palm Sunday – Orthodox Christian

5–Ramanavami  – Hindu

9–Palm Sunday- Christian

10–Mahavir Jayanti  – Jain

11–Lord’s Evening Meal – Jehovah’s Witness Christian

.     Hanuman Jayanti – Hindu

11-14–Theravadin New Year  – Buddhist

11-18–Pesach (Passover)  – Jewish

13–Maundy Thursday – Christian

14–Holy Friday – Orthodox Christian

.      Baisakhi (Vaisakhi) – Sikh

.      Good Friday – Christian

16–Easter – Christian

.      Pascha (Easter) – Orthodox Christian

21–First Day of Ridvan  – Baha’i

23–St. George’s Day – Christian

.       Yom HaShoah  – Jewish

24–Lailat al Miraj * – Islam

29–Ninth Day of Ridvan  – Baha’i

30–St. James the Great Day – Orthodox Christian

Special blessings to all this month!

 

What are Your Chances of Being Hired?

We’ve come a long way in banishing discrimination in hiring.  Or have we?  This video presents an interesting–and disturbing–picture.

Hanukkah For Jews and Non-Jews

To all my readers and friends:  I wish you a very happy Hanukkah for the remainder of the 8 days!

To my non-Jewish readers and friends: Hanukkah is a wonderful celebration.  I like one of it’s names, “The Festival of Lights,” both for the history behind the name and for the joyous picture it calls to mind.  If you don’t know what this ages-old, 8-day holiday is about, you’re missing something.  Go to “Hanukkah 2015: When Does The Jewish Holiday Start And How Is It Celebrated?” and read about this significant, family (in every sense)-oriented celebration.  It’s a breath of fresh air in our troubled world.

 

 

Trees & “5 Broken Cameras”

The film 5 Broken Cameras woke me up.  I’ve had trouble understanding what’s going on in the Left Bank/Gaza region…until seeing this film.  Now I have other questions, mainly how Americans can pick and choose whose human rights violations we’re appalled at and whose we support.

I also learned to research before I buy.  Recently, when a devout Jewish friend passed away, another member of our little group of friends suggested we honor her memory in a traditional way, by planting a tree in Israel. That seemed appropriate, so I chipped in.  Now, however, I understand that our tree will likely be planted on a Palestinian village’s land in preparation for future takeover and building for Israeli settlers. Had I understood the situation, I would have found another way to express my love for my deceased friend.

See the film.

 

 

What’s Your Hoiliday?

What do you celebrate this time of year? Christian Christmas, Jewish Hanukkah, Buddhist Bodhi Day, African-American Kwanzaa, Muslum Ashura, Druid Solstice, Atheist “made-it-through-another-year”?  We may disagree on what to commemorate, but we all look to that same shining star:

PEACE ON EARTH

Star