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Interfaith Inform
October 11, 2022
Kaufman Interfaith Institute

www.interfaithunderstanding.org

Watch - "PURPLE, America We Need To Talk" Teaser Trailer
At a time of immense division, Resetting The Table's Film, PURPLE, tells the story of Americans with opposing viewpoints confronting their disagreements head-on and discovering the concerns and experiences that lie behind each other’s positions.  Filmed in rural Wisconsin and Iowa – in a swing region within two bordering swing states – PURPLE presents a rare political conversation that uplifts, provokes, and inspires while going toward the heat of passionate political differences.
Watch the Teaser below. As the midterm election fans the flames of already-volatile divisions, PURPLE offers a vision for what a healthy public debate on fault-line issues might look like. 
This Thursday, October 13that 6:30pm, as a part of our Talking Together initiative, we’re bringing diverse GVSU and Grand Rapids Community participants together for The People' Supper, which include a meal, conversation, and screening of PURPLE. Check out the information below!
Film Screening of PURPLE & The People's Supper, October 13th 6:30pm-8:30pm
GVSU Downtown Grand Rapids Campus
We’re bringing diverse GVSU and Grand Rapids Community participants together for a meal, conversation, and screening of PURPLE in the nationwide lead up to the midterm elections. The dinner is free but registration is required. Sign up today to save your seat!
In a moment of acute political division, the supper table is a uniquely simple and sacred space through which we can find real nourishment and real healing. As Maya Angelou said, “food is important not just as fuel for the body, but as devices for growth for the soul.” Since January 2017, The People’s Supper has hosted more than 1,100 suppers across the country, born of a belief that a group of thoughtful people who differ from one another — politically, culturally, racially, and generationally — can sit down over a shared meal and engage in meaningful conversation together. 
Interfaith Book Discussion - SEE NO STRANGER, Fall Kick-off October 12th 2:00pm-3:30pm
Virtual via Zoom
We are pleased to announce that our book discussion for this season will be See No Stranger by Valarie Kaur, a renowned civil rights leader, lawyer, award-winning filmmaker, educator, innovator, and author.  The book was recommended by Grand Valley’s new provost and is being used by various campus groups as a reading book for discussion.  Her book is filled with personal stories and challenging messages for us all.
For the initial introductory session on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 we will be watching some of Valarie's video content. We then will meet on alternate Wednesdays starting on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, and continuing through February 15, 2022.  These sessions will be co-facilitated by Ms. Karen Meyers and other members of the Kaufman staff. Our study will culminate in an opportunity to hear Valarie Kaur speak at a Kaufman/GVSU event on February 23, 2023. Reading the book together will be great preparation for hearing her message of “revolutionary love.”
Stories of Hope & Courage, October 26th 10:30am 
Temple Emanuel 
An interfaith program featuring stories of hope and courage from the Holocaust, with Cassandra Kroondyk, from Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, sharing vocal and violin music, accompanied by Dr. Ken Bos.
Dessert and coffee with e served following the program.
Please RSVP to bevkagan@hotmail.com to attend.
Remnants of a Mighty Nation: Jews Through The Eyes of American Christians, Novemer 1st 7:00pm 
Loosemore Auditorium, GVSU Downtown Campus
The Padnos Public Engagement on Jewish Learning Event, to take place on November 1 at 7 pm, will feature Dr. Julian Levinson, Samuel Shetzer Professor of American Jewish Studies, University of Michigan. Dr. Levinson will present a lecture called “'Remnants of a Mighty Nation': Jews Through the Eyes of American Christians” at the Loosemore Auditorium at the Richard M. Devos Center on Grand Valley State University's Campus.
The event will also be virtually simulcast via Zoom. Immediately following the lecture at approximately 8:30 there will be a light reception in the adjacent Lubbers Exhibition Hall.
Talking Together: Strengthening our communities through conversation
Tired of the toxic level of polarization in the U.S.? Interested in talking with people whose perspective differs from your own in ways that stay constructive? We invite you to join us for a year focused on creating a culture of conversation rather than division. 
The Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies, and WGVU Public Media are pleased to partner for Talking Together: Strengthening our Communities through Conversation, a dialogue initiative aimed at interrupting polarization and investing in the principles of civil discourse and respectful conversation. Each month will feature at least one structured activity for students, staff, faculty, and community members to engage in conversation with one other across differences in perspective, identity, and life experiences.