The Stanley C. Golder Interfaith Lecture Series promotes understanding between faiths and embraces the unifying spirituality among all religions. Every year this outstanding program presents a prestigious speaker or group of speakers to address topics of religion, politics and international understanding. These programs are hosted in partnership with Winnetka Congregational Church, Winnetka Covenant Church, Christ Church, the Islamic Cultural Center and St. Philip the Apostle.

Stay tuned for information on the 2011 Golder Interfaith Weekend!

Past Programs

11th Annual Program

Shabbat Worship Service with Guest Speaker Anat Hoffman

Friday, April 23, 2010

Anat Hoffman, Executive Director of the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC), spoke at our worship service. Ms. Hoffman helps IRAC to promote Jewish pluralism, tolerance and equality while combating racism, corruption and religious coercion. As a Jerusalem City Councilman, she represented the Civil Rights and Peace Movement where she became known as an advocate for social action and justice. This program is presented in cooperation with the Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA).

Interview on National Public Radio - While in Chicago in May 2010, Ms. Hoffman was interviewed by Jerome McDonald for Worldview on WBEZ, National Public Radio in Chicago. During the interview she mentioned that her group's largest funding comes from America’s Reform Movement, specifically ARZA. Click on the link to access the interview online - http://www.chicagopublicradio.org/Program_WV.aspx?episode=42267.

"Anne & Emmett: An Imaginary Conversation between Anne Frank and Emmett Till" - A One-Act Play by Janet Langhart Cohen

Saturday, April 24, 2010

PLAY - This one-act play imagined a conversation between Emmett Till, a black teenager murdered in 1955, and Anne Frank, a Jewish teenager who died in a Nazi concentration camp during World War II. Anne's diary provided a gripping perspective of the Holocaust. Emmett's brutal murder helped spark the American Civil Rights Movement.

This groundbreaking play by Janet Langhart Cohen offered a fictional dialogue between these two victims of prejudice and reveals the commonality between the struggles of African-Americans and Jews. After winning rave review across the East Coast, the play made its Midwest debut at Temple Jeremiah. This program was made possible by Temple Jeremiah in cooperation with the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center.

Q & A - The play was followed by a Q & A session with the playwright, Janet Langhart Cohen, her husband, former Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen, the cast: Lindsey Kyler playing Anne and Leo Breckenridge playing Emmett, Director Hinton Battle, a three-time Tony Award winner, and Emmett Till's cousin, Simeon Wright.

JANET LANGHART COHEN - Mrs. Cohen is married to U.S. Senator William S. Cohen, who served as secretary of the U.S. Department of Defense under President Clinton. Known as the "First Lady of the Pentagon," Mrs. Cohen led initiatives to improve the lives of the Defense Department's military and civilian employees. Mrs. Cohen has appeared on ABC, CBS, NBC and BET, covered assignments for Entertainment Tonight, produced such programs as On Capital Hill with Janet Langhart, served as an overseas correspondent in Europe, Africa and the Middle East and interviewed top leaders and newsmakers, including former Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, civil rights activist Rosa Parks and actors Mel Gibson, Bill Cosby, Denzel Washington and Arnold Schwarzenegger as well as TV personalities Dan Rather and Larry King. Her memoir, From Rage to Reason: My Life in Two Americas, recounts her friendships with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Muhammad Ali. In 2007, she and her husband wrote In Black and White, A Memoir About Race, Religion and Romance, an insightful and candid chronicle of how the authors’ different life circumstances and backgrounds drew them together.

10th Annual Program

"How Our Traditions Deal with Diversity: A Panel Discussion"
Moderated by Pulitzer-Prize Winning Columnist Clarence Page

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Clarence Page, Pulitzer Prize winning columnist, moderated a panel discussion on interpersonal relationships and the role of race in religious life. He has been a columnist and member of the Chicago Tribune’s editorial board since July 1984 and writes a syndicated column providing incisive and insightful commentary on American society and politics. Mr. Page is an occasional guest panelist on the McLaughlin Group, a regular contributor of essays to News Hour with Jim Lehrer and an occasional host of documentaries on PBS. He is a regular panelist on Black Entertainment Television’s (BET) weekly Lead Story news panel.

His awards include a 1980 Illinois UPI award for community service for the investigative series, “The Black Tax,” and the Edward Scott Beck Award for overseas reporting of a 1976 series on the changing politics of South Africa. Mr. Page also participated in a 1972 Chicago Tribune Task Force series on vote fraud which won the Pulitzer Prize. He has received awards from the Illinois and Wisconsin chapters of the American Civil Liberties Union for his columns on civil liberties and constitutional rights. His articles have appeared in a wide variety of publications including Chicago Magazine, Chicago Reader, Washington Monthly, New Republic, Wall Street Journal, New York Newsday and Emerge. He has also appeared on Nightline, the Today Show and Sunday Morning with David Brinkley.

Panelists:

His Eminence Francis Eugene Cardinal George, O.M.I. - The Eighth Archbishop of Chicago, Cardinal George served as the fifth bishop of Yakima and the ninth Archbishop of Portland, Oregon until his appointment to Archbishop of Chicago by Pope John Paul II in 1997. The following year he was elevated to the Sacred College of Cardinals. He is President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), a member of its Committee on Liturgy and an ad hoc Committee on Shrines.

He is the publisher of The Catholic New World, Chicago Catholics and Katolik, the official newspapers of the Archdiocese of Chicago. He is interviewed monthly on "Catholic Community of Faith," a radio program sponsored by the Archdiocese on WNTD 950-AM. He also appears on the Chicago Loop Cable Channel 25 program, "The Church, the Cardinal and You."

Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid - Imam Mujahid is founding Chairman of Sound Vision Foundation, the leading producer of educational content on Islam and Muslims, as well as executive producer of the daily talk show, "Radio Islam," on WCEV-1450 AM in Chicago. He has excelled in building alliances and coalitions among Muslims as well as non-Muslims. He is Chairman of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago, a federation of mosques serving 400,000 Muslims in the Chicago area. In recognition of his interfaith bridge-building, Imam Mujahid received an award from the City of Chicago's Human Rights Commission and a Milestone Award from the Asian American Institute.

Imam Mujahid has authored over 400 articles and essays on religion, civil rights and public policy. His book, Conversion to Islam: Untouchables Strategy for Protest in India, was the winner of an Outstanding Academic Book of the Year award by the American Library Association.

Dr. Alice Hunt - A Bible scholar and theological educator, Dr. Hunt was named the 12th President in the Chicago Theological Seminary's 153-year history. Previously Associate Dean of Vanderbilt University's Divinity School, she was named as CTS President following an exhaustive year-long search. Dr. Hunt holds a Ph.D. in religion with an emphasis on the Hebrew Bible and early Judaisms from Vanderbilt University. Her published works include Missing Priests: The Zadokites in Tradition and History and her essays include Approacing Yehud: New Approaches to the Study of the Persian Period, Israel's Prophets and Israel's Past and Methods of Bible Interpretation.

Rabbi Dr. David Sandmel - A Crown Ryan Professor of Jewish Studies at the Catholic Theological Union, Rabbi Sandmel is considered an expert on Christian Jewish relations. He was the Jewish Scholar at the Institute for Christian & Jewish Studies in Baltimore, where he directed the National Jewish Scholars Project, an initiative designed to promote discussions within the Jewish community and among Christians and Jews about the differences and similarities of the two traditions. He is co-editor of Christianity in Jewish Terms and lead editor of Irreconcilable Differences? A Learning Resource for Jews and Christians.

9th Annual Program

African-American & Jewish Shabbat Program

      

Friday, May 2, 2008

Our congregation shared dinner and worship in collaboration with Leaders United, the Anti-Defamation League and the Chicago Urban League. Our guest speaker was the Rev. Dr. Leon Finney, founder and pastor of the Metropolitan Apostolic Community Church and a well-known advocate of urban revitalization. His leadership of the Woodlawn Organization and Woodlawn Community Development Corporation has inspired similar community development programs throughout the country.

Rev. Finney has served as Vice Chairman of the Chicago Public Housing Authority and Monitoring Commission for School Desegregation for the Chicago Public Schools. Dr. Finney has been a Board Member for the Chicago Planning Commission, Broadcast Ministers Alliance and Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions. He has written numerous publications on economic and social development.

"The Rise of Religious Fundamentalism" with Judith Miller

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Judith Miller, well-known author and Pulitzer Prize winning reporter, addressed the rise of religious fundamentalism in Islam. This phenomenon is seen as a powerful force in today's highly charged political arena. As a journalist, Ms. Miller has worked with reporters of different faiths covering the international scene and knows first-hand the impact religious beliefs can play in the socio-political sphere. She also discussed efforts to promote understanding through programs and dialogue.

Ms. Miller writes for the Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times and New York Sun. As a TV commentator, she speaks regularly on the issue of national security as it relates to the Middle East and counterterrorism and on striking a delicate balance between protecting national security and preserving civil liberties in a post-9/11 society, a topic with which she is intimately familiar. As a reporter for the New York Times, Ms. Miller spent 85 days in jail rather than disclose her confidential sources in the now controversial Scooter Libby case. She has since left that paper and is advocating the enactment of a federal "shield" law to protect the relationship between reporters and their sources versus the public's right to know. Ms. Miller is the author of God Has Ninety-Nine Names: Reporting From a Militant Middle East and the co-author of Germs: Biological Weapons and America's Secret War.

8th Annual Program

"Jews, Christians and Muslims Partnering for Peace"

Friday, April 27, 2007

As part of the Goldstein Interfaith Lecture Series Weekend, Carmi Gillon, mayor of Mevasseret-Zion, a suburb of Jerusalem, and former head of the Israeli Secret Service, Shabak, spoke on the prospects for peace in the Mideast.

"The God Factor ... How We Live Our Faith" with Cathleen Falsani

Cathleen Falsani Photo by Paul Natkin

Saturday, April 28, 2007

Cathleen Falsani, religion columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times and author of The God Factor, was our keynote speaker.

As the Sun-Times religion writer, Ms. Falsani covered the “God beat” from such diverse locations as Vatican City, the West Wing and the dugout at Wrigley Field. But she first drew inspiration for a book after climbing aboard the tour bus of U2 to interview lead singer Bono about AIDS in Africa. Their discussion turned to spirituality and faith and the key role they play in this country today, prompting Falsani’s quest to paint a candid picture of modern faith in this nation of many beliefs. The God Factor features interviews with an array of people who have shaped our culture. From exploring “Playboy theology” with Hugh Hefner to discussing Jesus with Anne Rice and heaven with Senator Barack Obama, the 30 interviews in her book offer a fresh, controversial and illuminating look at the beliefs that shape our lives. At the lecture, Falsani discussed her motivation to write this book. She also shared excerpts from her interviews with Bono, Anne Rice, Senator Barack Obama and Elie Wiesel, among others.

7th Annual Program

Shabbat Worship Service: "When Love is Shared" with Rabbi David Nelson

Friday, April 28, 2006

As a people, Jews' love for the land of Israel stretches back many millennia and speaks to our sense of identity and connection to Israel today. But love of Israel does not belong to Jews alone. Two other religious communities - Christian and Muslim - also claim Israel as their heritage. Rabbi David Nelson, Associate Director of ARZA (Association of Reform Zionists of America), talked at our Shabbat Service about Jews' connection to Israel and how it is impacted by those of other faiths.

"The Challenge to Islam Today" with Irshad Manji

Saturday, April 29, 2006

A young, faithful Muslim, Irshad Manji is also author of the international bestseller, The Trouble with Islam Today: A Muslim's Call for Reform in Her Faith. In this dynamic speech, Irshad assessed the likelihood of a liberal reformation in Islam, one that promotes competition of ideas and respect for human rights. Along the way, she offered key insights about a new generation of Muslims from the West and the Islamic world, illuminating their struggles and expectations. She explained how they've inspired her to launch a foundation, Project Ijtihad, to establish the world's first leadership centre for reform-minded Muslims, which offers essential lessons for policy-makers, educators, investors and engaged citizens.

Ms. Manji also hosts the television program, "Big Ideas," is recipient of the Simon Wiesenthal Award of Valor and was recently described by the New York Times as "Osama bin Laden's worst nightmare." (She takes this as a compliment.) Click here for one of her commentaries. To view the brochure distributed for this event, click here. 

6th Annual Program

"Evil and Suffering: Where is God to be Found? Our Religions Respond"
A Panel Discussion: Moderated by John Callaway

Saturday, April 30, 2005

John Callaway moderated a panel discussion focusing on responses to the age-old question of "Where is God amidst the evil and suffering in the world?" Our panel was comprised of religious and educational leaders representing a variety of perspectives.

Best known as the moderator of WTTW's Chicago Tonight, Mr. Callaway was a professional journalist for over 45 years, serving as broadcast executive, radio and TV interviewer, news anchor, documentary producer and narrator, magazine writer, print columnist, lecturer and, most recently, stage performer and writer. Mr. Callaway was the host and senior editor of WTTW's critically acclaimed Chicago Stories documentary. He won over 100 awards, including the coveted Peabody Award and twelve Emmys. His national PBS series have included "John Callaway Interviews," "Dilemmas of Disarmament" and "Campaigning on Cue." To view the brochure distributed for this event, click here. 

Our panelists included:

Reverend Robert Barron - Professor, Department of Systematic Theology, University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein Seminary, and author of numerous works, including The Strangest Way: Walking the Christian Path.

Reverend Franklin Gamwell - Shailer Mathews Professor of Religious Ethics, Philosophy of Religion and Theology, Divinity School, University of Chicago and an ordained Presbyterian minister. His books include The Divine Good: Modern Moral Theory and The Necessity of God.

Professor Inamul Haq - Professor of Islam at Benedictine University in Lisle. He is frequently cited by the media, including PBS and the Chicago Tribune, on issues concerning Islam and Muslims in the U.S.

Rabbi Eleanor Smith - Former rabbi at Beth Emet The Free Synagogue in Evanston who was enrolled at the time in medical school at the University of Chicago. Her writings include Intermarriage: The Price of Modernity and The Power of Choice.

Reverend Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite - President of the Chicago Theological Seminary and an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ. Dr. Thistlethwaite is the author or editor of ten books and has authored two different translations of the Bible.

The program was offered by Temple Jeremiah in partnership with Christ Church, the Islamic Cultural Center, St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, Winnetka Congregational Church and Winnetka Covenant Church.

5th Annual Program

"Can We All Get Along? Building Bridges Among Jews, Christians and Muslims in the 21st Century" with Bruce Feiler

Saturday, April 24, 2004

Bruce Feiler is the New York Times best-selling author of six books, an award-winning journalist, storyteller and speaker, Mr. Feiler has traveled to over 60 countries over five continents, immersing himself in their cultures and experiences. The result is six nationally acclaimed books, including: Learning to Bow: Inside the Heart of Japan; Looking for Class: Days and Nights at Oxford and Cambridge; Under The Big Top: A Season with the Circus; Dreaming Out Loud: Garth Brooks, Wynonna Judd, Wade Hayes and the Changing Face of Nashville; Walking the Bible: A Journey by Land Through the Five Books of Moses, in which Mr. Feiler retraces the greatest stories ever told; and his latest work, Abraham: A Journey to the Heart of Three Faiths, which recounts his personal search for the shared ancestor of Jews, Christians and Muslims.

Abraham has become a runaway New York Times bestseller, was named one of the best books of the year by Amazon.com, Borders and Publishers Weekly and was featured on the cover of TIME Magazine. Praised as "a revolution in thought" by TIME, Abraham offers a powerful interfaith message and a major breakthrough in building peaceful relations among religions. The book has inspired an unprecedented nationwide network of summits and grassroots interfaith discussion groups, or "Abraham Salons", as they have come to be known, around the globe. Mr. Feiler wrote about his travels to Iraq in search of Biblical sites in the April 25, 2004 issue of Chicago Tribune's Parade Magazine.

The 2004 Stanley C. Golder Lecture was part of a "Tearing Down Walls, Building Bridges" Interfaith Weekend which took place from Friday, April 23 to Sunday, April 25. To view the brochure distributed for this event, click here. 

4th Annual Program

"What's Going to Happen in Washington?" with William Safire

Saturday, April 26, 2003

As part of its "Great Minds, Critical Issues" Weekend April 25, 26 & 27, Temple Jeremiah hosted noted writer, columnist and politician William Safire. Mr. Safire spoke not only on the nation's politics, including his predictions for the 2004 and 2008 Presidential races, but on the ongoing crisis in the Middle East and elsewhere around the world.

A Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for the New York Times, Mr. Safire was considered one of the nation's most influential conservative voices. His novel, Full Disclosure, about a President under fire was on the best-seller list for 14 weeks. Other publications include a political dictionary, anthology and collection of commentaries. Mr. Safire served on Eisenhower's Presidential campaign, was a senior speech writer in the Nixon White House and is credited with bringing Nixon and former Soviet Premier Khruschev together in the now-famous "Kitchen Debate." To view the brochure distributed for this event, click here. 

* Terry Waite
* Mitch Albom
* Father Andrew Greeley