NEW APPROACH TO SHARING MEMORIES
CREATIVE TEAM—This week in ReadTheSpirit, we welcome the creative team behind a unique illustrated book that invites families to talk about their favorite memories of a loved one near the end of life. Called Never Long Enough, the book is a collaboration between an expert in working with families on end-of-life issues—and an artist with years of experience in education and counseling. Already their book is sparking interest among a wide range of community leaders, including educators, social workers, clergy and counselors. But, the book doesn’t require a professional to work its wonders in your family. Please, check out our Cover Story on Never Long Enough and consider supporting this creative team by ordering a copy of their book. (Your family will thank you.)
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REVIVING DETROIT
GOD SIGNS—Columnist Suzy Farbman, who has been a Detroit supporter throughout her journalistic career, reports on a special day and evening she spent with friends celebrating the city’s revival in the arts and visitor accommodations.
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SUPPORTING EACH OTHER
RODNEY CURTIS—Author and photographer Rodney Curtis is known nationwide for his high-spirited (and successful) battle with cancer, described in his book A ‘Cute’ Leukemia. Since that time, he has tried to support others in many ways, including this new column that he calls Brace Yourself (and others). Please, share this column with someone else. We all need a little reminder to reach out to friends who are in the midst of this challenging journey.
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HOLIDAYS:
RAMADAN IS COMING
Now more than ever, we all should try to learn more about Ramadan. Anti-Muslim bias is on the rise in many parts of the West, which fuels global tension and that seems especially tragic in this annual month of fasting and peaceful, prayerful renewal for a quarter of the world’s population. During Ramadan, Muslim families around the world turn to the kind of self-reflection that Christians traditionally experience during Lent and Jews seek during the High Holidays.
We recommend the classic overview of this month by Najah Bazzy, a Muslim educator, philanthropist and nationally known expert in cross-cultural healthcare. You can learn more about her book in our bookstore. Or, you may prefer to read a sample of her book, the chapter titled Why We Fast. We also invite you to enjoy—and share with friends—this interview with Najah Bazzy about her work and the traditions of the fasting month.
Also, our Holidays & Festivals columnist Stephanie Fenton reports on Ramadan 2017, including a new Pew Research Center report on the growth of the world’s Muslim population.
Joe Grimm, who teaches at the Michigan State University School of Journalism, also addresses this overall theme in his column: How your Ramadan greeting can build a healthier community.
FEED THE SPIRIT
In keeping with our Ramadan theme, we are highlighting a popular two-part FeedTheSpirit column. Part 1 in the series describes Parwan Anwar’s family customs during the month of Ramadan and includes a recipe for bolani, an Afghani stuffed, fried bread that is terrific when it comes time to break the daily fast. Then, in Part 2, Parwin describes the dangerous trek through mountain roads that she and her family followed in fleeing from Afghanistan in the 1970s and includes a recipe for Shorba Birang, a rich vegetable soup.
Want more on holidays? Remember the simple address: www.InterfaithHolidays.org.
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FILM & FAITH:
ED McNULTY’s easy-to-remember online address is at VisualParables.org.
Among Ed’s latest free movie reviews are:
- THEIR FINEST—You might have to search a bit for this delightful film set during the Blitz in World War II Britain. But it’s well worth it, writes Ed. (5 out of 5 stars)
- THE CIRCLE—Tom Hanks stars as a Steve Jobs kind of character in an “intellectual thriller” that Ed praises with 4.5 stars.
- GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, 2—Ed gives this sequel 4 stars.
- ITALIAN FOR BEGINNERS—This week, Ed also urges us to reach back for this wonderful 2000 film.
- BORN IN CHINA—It’s appropriate that Disney engaged Chinese director Lu Chuan to helm this beautiful nature film, most of which was shot in the China highlands. (4 stars)
- WHITE HELMETS—”We are indebted to Netflix for making documentarian Orlando von Einsiedel’s short film so widely available,” Ed writes. (5 stars)
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