In 2012, The Grand Rapids Press was a partner in the communitywide “Year of Interfaith Understanding” initiative. The success of that project led to an ongoing effort to build interfaith understanding in West Michigan. The Interfaith Insight, which appeared in as a weekly column in the Grand Rapids Press from 2014 through 2020, began as part of that effort. Now an online newsletter, it is written by Douglas Kindschi, director of the Kaufman Interfaith Institute at Grand Valley State University, and others in the interfaith community.

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Interfaith Insight - 2024

"Faith, Grief, Struggle and Renewal: A Personal Journey" by Douglas Kindschi, Sylvia and Richard Kaufman Founding Director, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, GVSU
November 14, 2024
"Loving Country Has Limits Imposed by Biblical Covenants" by Douglas Kindschi, Sylvia and Richard Kaufman Founding Director, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, GVSU
November 4, 2024
"Learning From History and From Positive Religious Teachings" By Douglas Kindschi, Sylvia and Richard Kaufman Founding Director, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, GVSU
October 31, 2024
"Can a Nation With Power Still Be Ethical?" By Douglas Kindschi, Sylvia and Richard Kaufman Founding Director, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, GVSU
October 15, 2024
"How Can We Learn from Our Abrahamic Neighbors?" By Douglas Kindschi, Sylvia and Richard Kaufman Founding Director, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, GVSU
September 30, 2024
"Does Conflict in the World Have a Religious Basis?" By Douglas Kindschi, Sylvia and Richard Kaufman Founding Director, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, GVSU
September 17, 2024
"Finding Truth In Great Literature; Will We Make The Right Choice?" By Douglas Kindschi, Sylvia and Richard Kaufman Founding Director, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, GVSU
June 4, 2024
"Into the Heart of Islam," by Kelly James Clark, Author and Former Kaufman Interfaith Institute Staff
May 28, 2024
"Triennial Year Theme: Bridging Generations," by Karen Meyers, Kaufman Associate and Director Emeritus, GVSU Regional Math/Science Center
May 21, 2024
"Remembering previous evil as well as heroic deeds" BY DOUGLAS KINDSCHI, SYLVIA AND RICHARD KAUFMAN FOUNDING DIRECTOR, KAUFMAN INTERFAITH INSTITUTE, GVSU
May 13, 2024

Only the ten most recent entries for each year are listed, read previous entries from 2024 here.

Interfaith Insight - 2023

"Does life have meaning? Mahler's symphonic response," by Douglas Kindschi, Founding Director of the Kaufman Interfaith Institute, GVSU
December 18, 2023
"Celebrating Christmas as a festival of light along with other traditions," by Douglas Kindschi, Founding Director of Kaufman Interfaith Institute, GVSU
December 18, 2023
Facing the challenge of religious diversity (2019) by Douglas Kindschi, Sylvia and Richard Kaufman Founding Director, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, GVSU
December 5, 2023
Thanksgiving for our freedoms: Religion, press, and assembly by Douglas Kindschi, Sylvia and Richard Kaufman Founding Director, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, GVSU
November 28, 2023
Gratitude and Forgiveness, Fundamental to a Life Well Lived," by Douglas Kindschi, Sylvia and Richard Kaufman Founding Director, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, GVSU
November 14, 2023
What is my response to the escalating violence in the world? by Douglas Kindschi, Sylvia and Richard Kaufman Founding Director, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, GVSU
November 7, 2023
Deep divides on Israel and Palestine. What can be said? by Douglas Kindschi, Sylvia and Richard Kaufman Founding Director, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, GVSU
October 31, 2023
Miserere mei, Deus: "Have mercy upon me, O God," by Douglas Kindschi, Sylvia and Richard Kaufman Founding Director, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, GVSU
October 24, 2023
How can we respond to violence? by Douglas Kindschi, Sylvia and Richard Kaufman Founding Director, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, GVSU
October 17, 2023
Modern society and finding true happiness by Douglas Kindschi, Sylvia and Richard Kaufman Founding Director, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, GVSU
September 26, 2023

Only the ten most recent entries for each year are listed, read previous entries from 2023 here.

Interfaith Insight - 2022

"Purpose and faith in face of tragedy" by Doug Kindschi
December 20, 2022
"Responding to Antisemitism; we must 'never forget'" by Doug Kindschi
November 22, 2022
"Thanksgiving Makes Us Stronger" by David Baak
November 15, 2022
"Looking back and looking forward: interfaith in West Michigan" by Doug Kindschi
October 18, 2022
"Interfaith Efforts in Combating Hate" by David Baak
September 27, 2022
"Remembering interfaith anniversaries, from 1800s until today" by Doug Kindschi
September 20, 2022
"The danger of a single story in a complex world" by Doug Kindschi
September 6, 2022
"Kindness, a Virtue of Religious Diversity" by David Baak
August 16, 2022
"Stories inform our faith and our theology" by Doug Kindschi
July 26, 2022
"Interfaith Leadership 'Award'" by David Baak
July 12, 2022

Only the ten most recent entries for each year are listed, read previous entries from 2022 here.

Interfaith Insight - 2021

"Reflections on a gracious and deep thinker" by Doug Kindschi
December 28, 2021
"A Season of Light" by Doug Kindschi

December 21, 2021
"Can we be good without God?" by Doug Kindschi
December 14, 2021
"Can we share a morality during division and polarization?" by Doug Kindschi
December 7, 2021
"Seeking ancient wisdom as we face the challenges of the present" by Doug Kindschi
November 30, 2021
"Gratitude and thanksgiving, fundamental to a fulfilling life" by Doug Kindschi
November 23, 2021
"Whatever happened to civility?" by Doug Kindschi
November 16, 2021
"Being a victim or choosing to act with hope and gratitude" by Doug Kindschi
November 9, 2021
"Learning from others by listening" by Doug Kindschi
November 2, 2021
"Affirming one's identity while learning from others" by Doug Kindschi
October 26, 2021

Only the ten most recent entries for each year are listed, read previous entries from 2021 here

Major Class Credits
BIO 120 4
ART 101 3

Interfaith Insight - 2020

"Remembering three who departed this past year" by Doug Kindschi
December 29, 2020
"Seeking the breath of God in today's world" by Lynette Sparks
December 22, 2020
"The holiday season during COVID" by Doug Kindschi
December 15, 2020
"Is your God too small?" by Doug Kindschi
December 8, 2020
"Are you OK? An important question for today" by Doug Kindschi
December 1, 2020
"Facing the crisis: Religious voices calling for solidarity" by Doug Kindschi
November 24, 2020
"Remembering Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks" by Doug Kindschi
November 17, 2020
"What can faith teach us about healing division?" by Doug Kindschi
November 10, 2020
"After the election; One thing I know for sure" by Doug Kindschi
November 3, 2020
"Religious principles in voting and choosing leaders" by Doug Kindschi
October 27, 2020

Only the ten most recent entries for each year are listed, read previous entries from 2020 here.

Previous Years


Page last modified May 21, 2024
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