Cover Story: Happy New Year, 5777! ‘Shanah Tovah!’

TIMELY FORGIVENESS, RECONCILIATION

JEWISH HIGH HOLIDAYS—Some of the Jewish writers who work with our online magazine and publishing house are contributing this week (and next week) new year’s reflections as Rosh Hashanah nears on the evening of Sunday, October 2. While the majority of our writers and readers are not Jewish, this is a great opportunity for all of us to reflect on the High Holiday themes of forgiveness and reconciliation. Start with this column by Stephanie Fenton and Joe Lewis on the start of the High Holidays. Look ahead, then, to their column on Yom Kippur.

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GEFILTE FISH ANYONE?

FEED THE SPIRIT—A group of smart young foodies are reinventing some of the traditional Jewish foods for future generations and they’ve started with those fish patties known as gefilte fish. They call their movement, which caught the eye of the Wall Street Journal, The Gefilte Manifesto. Whether you’re Jewish or not, you’ll also want to try the delicious apple strudel columnist Bobbie Lewis shares from the group’s cookbook.

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HATE2HOPE: YES, THAT’S POSSIBLE

YOU’LL WANT TO SHARE—this inspiring story by author and peace activist Brenda Rosenberg, who published a book about overcoming tension in 2015 … and then discovered that the greatest tensions were here in the U.S. between police and community leaders. With so many tragic stories in the news about conflicts with law enforcement officials, we find this pilot program remarkable! Please, tell friends about this news. You might find this program could be very helpful in your part of the country.

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PICTURES AND CONVERSATIONS

DEBRA DARVICK—The author of This Jewish LifeDebra Darvick writes about a remarkable year in which she and her photographer husband have launched: Pictures and Conversations. It’s a method of starting thoughtful dialogues with friends. She also remains an active advice columnist. And, yes, she provides helpful links to those intriguing pursuits.

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COUNTING OUR BLESSINGS

GOD SIGNS—”Twelve years cancer free.” If you’re among our many readers who have been inspired by Suzy Farbman’s funny and downright honest memoir, God Signs, those four words say it all in summing up the past year. Even if you haven’t been touched by cancer in your home, then you’ll still enjoy Suzy’s look at the year as Rosh Hashanah rolls around again. And, if you’re not Jewish, as Suzy points out, it’s always a good time to stop and … count your blessings.

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CONGRATULATIONS

DAVID GUSHEE—Author of the influential book, Changing Our Mind, Mercer’s Dr. David Gushee will deliver the annual Matthew Simpson lecture at Simpson College in Iowa on October 6.

GLENN WAGNER—Author of the new God Incidents, the Rev. Glenn Wagner’s work in reaching out to Americans who have walked away from religion was covered in a Michigan United Methodist news story by Kay DeMoss.

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HOLIDAYS and FESTIVALS

Check out all the holidays! Tell friends about the simply Web address: www.InterfaithHolidays.com

NAVARATRI—Hindus are celebrating the 10-day festival of Sharad Navaratri, emphasizing the motherhood of the Divine.

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ST. FRANCIS DAY— Our friends at the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) are reaching out again this autumn to help communities mark St. Francis Day. October 4 is the official “feast day” for the saint, but many congregations nationwide will be remembering Francis—or hosting animal-blessing services—on various dates this autumn. Visit this page to order a free kit, called St. Francis in a Box, from HSUS. If you’d simply like to read more about Francis, the HSUS has lots of information right here. And, if you’d like to read the HSUS book that collects faith statements from many different denominations, then check out Every Living Thing.

 

 

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FILM, FAITH
& POPULAR CULTURE

ED McNULTY—Enjoy all of the free resources from Ed McNulty’s faith-and-film website: VisualParables.org.

Among Ed’s latest movie reviews are:

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