Kaufman Interfaith Institute
Interfaith conference discusses religion identities in current climate
The role of religious communities to both cause and rectify social division and tribalism was the topic of discussion during the Jewish/Christian/Muslim Triennial Interfaith Dialogue Conference at Grand Valley November 14-15. Presenters included Jennifer Howe Peace, professor of interfaith studies at Andover Newton Theological School; Elliot J. Cosgrove, senior rabbi at Park Avenue Synagogue, the largest conservative synagogue in New York City; and Eboo Patel, founder and president of Interfaith Youth Core.
Nov 6, 2018
Speakers at interfaith conference will discuss religion in current climate
The role of religious communities to both cause and rectify social division and tribalism will be discussed during the Jewish/Christian/Muslim Triennial Interfaith Dialogue Conference. The event will be hosted by the Kaufman Interfaith Institute on November 14-15.
Nov 5, 2018
Student cohort strengthens interfaith conversations on college campuses
A collaborative internship program between five local colleges, including Grand Valley, is providing students with opportunities to develop their interfaith leadership skills and generate interfaith conversations on their own campuses. The cohort was established in 2015 after the Kaufman Interfaith Institute at Grand Valley was awarded a $50,000 grant from the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. The participating schools currently include Grand Valley, Hope College, Calvin College, Aquinas College and Kuyper College.
Oct 17, 2018
Panelists will discuss faith, end-of-life care
What happens when you die? It's a deep question that will bring many different answers.
Oct 4, 2018
United Methodist Church leader to examine importance of social justice in religious communities during event
An upcoming lecture at Grand Valley will explore the importance of social justice in various religious communities around the world. The Rev. Dr. Susan Henry-Crowe, general secretary of the General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church, will be the featured speaker during the 2018 Rabbi Phillip Sigal Memorial Lecture. In her role, Henry-Crowe oversees the church's response to issues including civil and human rights, economic justice, environmental justice, health and wholeness, peace with justice, and wo
Apr 4, 2018
Interfaith conference to encourage building healthy relationships with global neighbors
Fear, division, skepticism and assumptions are the foundations of many national and global headlines, but the annual Academic Consortium Conference will encourage attendees to build healthy relationships with their neighbors. The conference, sponsored in-part by the Kaufman Interfaith Institute, will take place November 8. R. Scott Appleby, dean of the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame and expert on global religion, will present two keynote presentations during the conference.
Oct 27, 2017
Relationship of religion and science to be explored during conference
Scientists, philosophers, and theologians from around the world will gather in West Michigan to discuss the relationship between science and religion during the Grand Dialogue in Science and Religion annual conference, hosted by the Kaufman Interfaith Institute at Grand Valley. The conference, taking place May 13, is free and open to the public.
May 3, 2017
Lecture to examine the racialization of religion in America
Simran Jeet Singh, assistant professor of religion at Trinity University and senior religion fellow with the Sikh Coalition, will present the annual Rabbi Philip Sigal Memorial Lecture on March 30. The presentation will take place from 7-8:30 p.m. in Loosemore Auditorium. This event is LIB 100 and 201 approved for students.
Mar 23, 2017
Kaufman Interfaith Institute joins Inclusion and Equity
Following seven years of development and growth in the area of interfaith understanding, the Sylvia and Richard Kaufman Interfaith Institute has moved to the Division of Inclusion and Equity. Jesse Bernal, vice president for Inclusion and Equity, said that the institute will allow the division to expand upon its work in religious diversity and furthers the university's strategic plan to be a more diverse and inclusive campus.
Feb 2, 2017
Director receives rare invite to Middle East interfaith conference
Doug Kindschi was one of only 10 global interfaith leaders to attend the conference in Oman.
Dec 8, 2016