Zoroastrians Connections with Christians and Jews

12 October, 2011 — yazdi

Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Chicago

proudly hosts the

2011

Society of Scholars of Zoroastrianism (SSZ) Conference

“Zoroastrian Connections with Christians and Jews”

and

Zoroastrianism-101: “Celebration of the life and work of Sir Jivanji Modi ”

supported by

Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA)

and

World Zoroastrian Organization (WZO)

at the

Arbab Rustom Guiv Darbe Mehr, 8615 Meadowbrook Drive, Burr Ridge, IL 60527,

on

Saturday November 12 and Sunday November 13 , 2011

The Society of Scholars of Zoroastrianism (SSZ) is an initiative to promote study and scholarship of the Religion of Zarathushtra, formalized during the Eighth World Zoroastrian Congress in London in 2005.  The mission of the Society is to revive the tradition of scholarship within our community among athornans and behdins alike, and to promote interaction among academicians, theologians (priests), educationists, lay scholars and practitioners of Zoroastrianism, through roundtable discussions, conferences and publications.  The aim is to make SSZ a prestigious organization on par with scholarly organizations of other faith communities, and merit affiliation with international bodies such as the American Academy of Religions.

 

SSZ Conferences have been held in Chicago each year since 2006, when noted scholars and students present their research papers.  To encourage Zoroastrian studies within the community, these SSZ conferences also include sessions on Zoroastrianism-101 delivered by community members, especially the youth. Persons/Associations interested in the mission and vision of the Society of Scholars of Zoroastrianism, are invited to host future Conferences in their areas.  SSZ will provide assistance as needed. The organizers enjoy complete autonomy in regard to programming and organizing the Conference.

 

All community members, students and scholars are invited and encouraged to participate.  You will no doubt be enriched, your presence gives support to the speakers, and your feedback is invaluable so that future research efforts may be directed in a constructive manner for the benefit of both the academicians as well as the community.

Registration.  Suggested donation is $7 for Saturday dinner and $7 for Sunday breakfast, lunch and tea.  Please RSVP by October 31, 2011 to Dinaz Weber (630-830 3430, kenanddina@yahoo.com).  For program information contact Rohinton Rivetna (630-325 5383, rivetna@aol.com) or Kayomarsh Mehta (630-654 8828, kayomehta@aol.com) and visit www.s-s-z.org.

PROGRAM

Saturday November 12, 2011 6:00 pm

 

6:00     Benediction, Monajat, Welcome

6:30      Life of Sir Jivanji Modi, an inspiration – Jivanji’s grandson Jamshed Modi

7:00      Works of Sir Jivanji Modi – Khurshid Ichaporia, student of Zoroastrianism: Yasnaaicha,

             Vahmaaicha, Khnaothraaicha, Frasastayaecha; proper study and understanding,

              absorption and contemplation, gaining knowledge and imparting of knowledge.

7:30       A record of Sir Jivanji Modi’s travels to heritage lands where formerly Zoroastrianism

              flourished – Ervad Soli Dastur, FL

8:45       Dinner

Sunday November 13, 2011 8:30 am

 

8:30       Registration and Breakfast

9:00        Benediction, Monajat, Welcome

9:30       Zoroastrian Connections with Christian and Jews, Session I

              Life after  death in Zoroastrianism, Christianity and Judaism – Dr. Pallan Ichaporia,

Zoroastrian connection and influence on Judaism – Rabbi Harold Kudan, founding rabbi of Congregation Am Shalom in Glencoe, IL.

11:30      Jashan Participation with Understanding, a legacy of Late Dastoor Dr. Nowrooz

               Minocher – Homji, a beloved of ZAC; an interactive session – Ervad Soli Dastur with

               local association members.

12:15      Launch of FEZANA publication “Zoroastrian Connection with Christianity and

                Judaism” – Roshan Rivetna

12:30      Lunch and Keynote address: The Future of Zoroastrianism – Keki Bhote

1:30        Zoroastrian Connections with Christian and Jews, Session II

   Zoroastrian connection with Armenian Christians – Very Reverend Aren Jebejian,

               St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church, Chicago, IL

Concepts from the book under preparation on Zoroastrian connections with other faiths,     Dastoor Dr. Kersey H. Antia, IL

3:00        Tea

3:30        Zoroastrian Connection with Christian and Jews, Session III

   Zoroastrian connection with Christians – Tony Evensen, St. Ignatius, Chicago, IL.

               2nd speaker – TBA

5:00       Closing followed by “Roundtable”: Actions and Assign Responsibilities.

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Swami Vivekananda at World Parliament of Religions

10 October, 2011 — yazdi

Hear his speech in NewYork in 1893

 

Courtesy : Jehangir Gilder

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Topography of Faith: Mapping the USA

28 September, 2011 — yazdi

Topography of Faith: Mapping the USA

‘USA Today’ recently published a fascinating graphical depiction of faith in the USA: The Topography of Faith. Based on research done by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, the map presents the overall view of the US and yields individual views for each state as you scroll over.  Makes for a fascinating few minutes as you try to guess the religious topography of different states and regions.
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Co-exist Prize

25 September, 2011 — yazdi

Coexist launches a global search  for an unsung hero who has made an exceptional contribution to building bridges between people of different faiths. The Coexist Prize, worth $100,000, aims to celebrate the positive social role religion plays for so many people in the world.Coexist, a Foundation with offices in New York and London, will honor an individual who has shown inspirational courage, imagination and commitment, and been nominated by the public, or by its global network of nominating partners. The Prize is completely inclusive and explicitly open to people of all faiths, and those of no religious persuasion. There are also two runners up awards worth $10,000.

The winners’ powerful stories will be featured in short documentaries, which Coexist will showcase at the Prize ceremony on Tuesday March 20th 2012 at New York University.

Members of the public can nominate people through the online nomination form here, where there is also further information about the criteria and guidelines. The deadline for nominations is the 14th of October 2011. Candidates can also promote their project on Twitter as part of the competition, by using the hashtag #coexistprize.

Courtesy : Behram Pastakia

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Religions prepare welcome for Dalai Lama

18 July, 2011 — yazdi
From the Chicago Tribune:

Religions prepare welcome for Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama’s message of compassion long has transcended Tibetan Buddhism and enchanted people of all faiths — and no faith.

The full story can be viewed at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/ct-met-dalai-lama-interfaith-artwork-20110716,0,516322.story?track=ctiphoneapp

Posted in Inter-Faith, News. 2 Comments »

Upcoming Event – The Parliament of World’s Religions- 2014

2 July, 2011 — yazdi
The Parliament of World’s Religions is the world’s oldest (dating back to 1893) and largest inter-religious and inter-cultural event.  The PWR meets every five years.  It gathers during one week about 10 000 people of diverse religious and cultural traditions from across the globe.  It comprises plenary sessions addressed by senior civil and religious leaders, a host of cultural events, and more than 600 distinct workshops on the challenging issues facing the global community.  Previous Parliaments were held in Melbourne (2009), Barcelona (2004), Cape Town (1999), Chicago (1993).
Three years of preparation will ensure that the exchanges at the Parliament genuinely reflect the breadth and depth of perspectives and values of the world’s religious & convictional communities.  Over 75 preliminary events are organised in cities throughout the world.  The gathering itself thus emerges as the culmination of an intense and in-depth global dialogue.

Courtesy : Behram Pastakia

 

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European Council of Religious Leaders

29 June, 2011 — yazdi

European Council of Religious Leaders – Council meeting in May 2012

 

Please find the Moscow Declaration and an updated list of Council members attached. Both are already posted on our website: www.rfp-europe.eu.

Please distribute the important declaration

Thank you

Jehangir Sarosh

Co-moderator

European Council of Religious Leaders

www.rfp-europe.eu

 

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Pluralism Photo Contest

15 May, 2011 — yazdi

Pluralism Project Photo Contest

We invite you to participate in our second annual Pluralism Project Photo Contest. We are looking for high-resolution digital images that convey the vibrancy of religious diversity in the USA. We are particularly interested in images in the following categories:
  • Religious practices and rituals
  • Religious centers, including festivals, center openings, and parades
  • Participation of religious groups in American civic life
  • Interfaith encounter or social action
  • Women’s leadership and participation
  • Emerging leadership within Muslim and Sikh communities
  • Historic and present day images of the Atheist/Humanist, Bahá’í, Confucian, Native American, Shinto, Taoist, and Zoroastrian communities in the US
One grand-prize winner will be selected; the winning photographer will receive a $250 cash prize and an extended exposé in the spotlight on our homepage, www.pluralism.org.
All winning photos will be featured in our forthcoming online publication, On Common Ground: World Religions in America 2.0 and on our homepage slideshow over the course of one year, beginning September 1, 2011. The photographer’s name, as well as the location of the image will accompany any digitally published images.
In order to participate, you must:
  • be the photographer of the image
  • grant the Pluralism Project rights to use the image on our website
  • have the permission of those persons in the picture, if applicable
Entries must be submitted via email to contest@pluralism.org by 5 PM on August 1, 2011. Photos should be sent as an attachment. Please put “contest” in the subject line.
In the body of the email, please include:
  • your name and title
  • relationship to the Pluralism Project, if any
  • addresses – mailing and email
  • phone number
  • a brief caption, including location of the image(s), when the image(s) was/were taken, and what is happening (2-3 sentences)
  • a brief statement indicating that you were the photographer, and that you grant the Pluralism Project the rights to use the image(s) on our website, if selected
Submissions of more than 10 photos should be sent on CD-ROM to:

The Pluralism Project
2011 Photo Contest
2 Arrow Street, 4th Floor
Cambridge, MA 02138

Courtesy : Behram Pastakia

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Honouring Diverse Beliefs

14 April, 2011 — yazdi

“Honouring Diverse Beliefs in Our Communities: A Conversational Toolkit”

From Atheism to Zoroastrianism, people draw on different belief systems to guide the ways they think and act. How can we respond to this important element of diversity in our communities? What are the risks involved? What do we stand to gain?

“Honouring Diverse Beliefs in Our Communities: A Conversational Toolkit” is documentary project that adopts a child-centered approach to responding to diverse beliefs in community. The Toolkit outlines a multi-format workshop designed to engage participants in active learning and dialogue.

The project is a partnership between the Surrey Neighbouring Faiths Program, Himar Productions, and DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society. It was made possible with funding from the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.

The documentary can be viewed online at: http://vimeo.com/22148547. For more information and to receive a PDF copy of the Toolkit, please contact David Dalley, Production Coordinator at davidanderin@dalley.ca or (604) 502-8661.

David Dalley
NAIN – NORTH AMERICAN INTERFAITH NETWORK

Building Bridges of Interfaith Understanding, Cooperation and Service.

Courtesy : Homi Gandhi

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UN Decade of Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue

11 March, 2011 — yazdi

Coalition for the “Initiative for a UN Decade of Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, Understanding and Cooperation for Peace”
Dear all,

I returned home last night after a very successful 3 day meeting of the Coalition. I will include a detailed report of the meeting as an attachment to my Interfaith Activities Committee Report. Meanwhile, let me share some good news.

This year FEZANA has been nominated to the Steering Committee of the Coalition. I have accepted FEZANA’s nomination and represented FEZANA at the first meeting of the new Steering Committee yesterday afternoon.

Best wishes,

Homi

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