 |
|
|
|
|
| A Reflection from the University Chaplaincy
| |
Dear Tufts community,
This is a season for community and renewal. Last Friday, I joined students at the Chabad house for their weekly Shabbat, and delighted in the delicious meal and spirited singing, following their lead and the transliteration of Shalom aleichem. Rabbi Tzvi told us that this was the start of a new month of Adar in the Jewish calendar, a month for joy. And I felt it that night, the genuine joy of being together.
And then I smiled, because I realized how chock-full of community ritual practice our campuses were in that moment, in the days before, and in the days to come. Up the street, another Shabbat of services and eating together was underway, and down the hill, the Muslim community was sharing its first communal iftar of Ramadan, breaking their fast with the ritual eating of dates, the evening Maghrib prayer, and a catered feast. I knew, in each place, there was the same genuine joy in being together and sharing spiritual practices both ancient and new.
Marvelously, this had been happening all week. Last Monday, Hindu students and friends observed MahaShivatri, the great night of Shiva, celebrating the overcoming of ignorance and the power of kindness and forgiveness. They performed puja prayer, drank tea, and despite to-dos aplenty, paused for joy, for reverence, for connection. That same Monday, Great Lent for Ethiopian and Eritrean Christians on campus commenced (and on February 23, Eastern Orthodox Christians began this season). On Tuesday, Lunar New Year and the Year of the Horse began, with campus celebrations taking place all month. And last week on Ash Wednesday, Goddard Chapel was packed for services with students, staff and faculty filling the pews and aisles. Together, the Catholic and Protestant communities were invited into a forty-day journey of prayer, and fasting, and generosity, this year, on the same day that the Muslim community was beginning a month of the same intentions.
I marveled because in this fortnight, Tufts was a vibrant microcosm of our multireligious world at its best – a place alive with ritual and communal practices to celebrate and to share with one another. Our spiritual disciplines and cultural traditions, our growing together in wisdom and love, our commitments to claiming joy even amidst the realities of suffering; these are the ways of being human together we desperately need and that have lasting power to guide us through the many wildernesses of this time and into the promised lands of beloved community, justice, and peace.
Pax et Lux,
Rev. Elyse Nelson Winger
University Chaplain and Professor of the Practice, Tisch College of Civic Life
| |
|
Upcoming Signature Events
| |
International Peace Building Across Faiths
Wednesday, March 4, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Interfaith Center
All are welcome for “God, State and Power,” an in-depth panel and dinner examining the role of faith and religious actors in mediating and transforming international conflict. Drawing on scholarship and field experience, our speakers will explore how religious institutions, interfaith initiatives, and civic engagement shape diplomatic processes and peacebuilding efforts across diverse global contexts. The panel features Dr. Ray Kim, Director of U.S. Programs & Partnerships at the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy; Dr. Liliya Khasanova, postdoctoral fellow at the Fletcher School and Executive Director of A Common Word Among the Youth; and Dr. Peter Levine, Professor of Political Science at Tufts University whose research focuses on civic and political engagement. Please RSVP below.
| |
Food, Faith & Friendship: Graduate Student Dinner
Monday, March 9, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., The Rabb Room (Barnum 100)
Join the Graduate Student Interfaith Council for an evening of meaningful conversation, reflection, and community connection with Lynn Cooper, University Chaplaincy Associate Director, author of Embracing Our Time: The Sacrament of Interfaith Friendship. This gathering invites graduate students from all backgrounds to come together in a welcoming space to pause, share, and build friendships across traditions. Contact Graduate Student Intern Prakruthi Ramesh with any questions and please RSVP below.
| |
|
Religious and Philosophical Events and Gatherings
| |
Vigil for Iran
Thursday, February 26, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Goddard Chapel
Join the Tufts Persian Student Association (TPFA) and the Humanist Chaplaincy in a vigil of mourning and solidarity with the people of Iran during continued social and political upheaval. Light refreshments will be provided. For questions or needs, contact the Humanist Chaplain, Anthony Cruz Pantojas.
| |
Loss to Reconciliation: Conversations with bereaved Palestinian and Israeli families
Thursday, February 26, 7:00 pm, Granoff Family Hillel Building
The Parents Circle Families Forum is a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization made up of over 800 bereaved families. Their common bond is that they have lost a close family member to the conflict. Through their educational activities, these bereaved members have joined together to take tens of thousands of Palestinians and Israelis on journeys of reconciliation. During the event, guests will get the chance to hear from Elana Kaminka, a bereaved Israeli mother, and Arab Aramin, a bereaved Palestinian brother. Both will share their stories of loss and personal journeys towards reconciliation, with time for Q&A with audience participation.
| |
Living Hindu Dharma in GenZ with Dr. Asha Shipman
Wednesday, March 11, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Interfaith Center
The spring Hindu Life Series invites you to Living Hindu Dharma in Gen Z with Dr. Asha Shipman, Director of Hindu Life at Yale University. Explore identity, spirituality, leadership, and belonging through conversation and reflection, plus enjoy a free shared dinner. All students are welcome. Come, connect, and be in community! RVSP using the link below!
| |
|
|
Resources and Opportunities
| |
The Pa'Lante Tufts Latinx Faculty & Staff Alliance
Thursday, March 5, 2026, 5 PM at Barnum LL26
Join Pa'Lante for our Cinema & Conversation. The film is called Latinos On Campus, directed by Robert Arévalo. This offering is designed for Latinx+ faculty, staff, and all allies. Following our October launch, this is an opportunity to reflect on our history on campus and to continue deepening connections and support networks. Popcorn and refreshments will be provided, followed by a discussion to present our April program offering. Please register, and for any questions or concerns, email the Humanist Chaplain, Anthony Pantojas.
| |
Book Talk with Randall Balmer, Irreconcilable Differences: Christian Nationalism & the First Amendment
Monday, March 9, 12:00 p.m., Sophia Gordon Multipurpose Room, 15 Talbot Ave
Join the Religion Department for a talk by Randall Balmer as he discusses his new book Irreconcilable Differences: Christian Nationalism and the First Amendment, while drawing from his book, America’s Best Idea - The Separation of Church and State. Co-sponsored by the Center for the Humanities at Tufts, Tufts Center for Expanding Viewpoints in Higher Education, Tisch College of Civic Life, and the University Chaplaincy.
| |
Sabbath Queen: Film Screening + Q&A
Tuesday, March 10, 8 p.m. onwards, Distler Theater, Granoff Music Center
The Department of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies and Center for the Humanities at Tufts invites you to join for a screening of the film "Sabbath Queen" followed by a discussion with the film director, Sandi Dubowski. The film follows Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie's epic journey. He is torn between rejecting and embracing his destiny and becomes a drag-queen rebel, a queer bio-dad and the founder of Lab/Shul—an everybody-friendly, God optional, artist-driven, pop-up experimental congregation. You can learn more about the film here. All are welcome.
| |
To see more upcoming religious holidays and festivals, including information about seeking religious accommodations at Tufts, please follow the link to the Tufts Multifaith Calendar.
Ramadan
Tue., Feb. 17 – Thur., Mar. 19, 2026
Tradition: Islam
Begins at sundown on the first day listed. Approximate date (moon dependent). The Holy Month of Ramadan is the month of fasting during which Muslims who are physically able do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset in honor of the first revelations to the Prophet Muhammad. The evening meal is celebrated with family.
Lent
Wed., Feb. 18 - Sat. Apr. 4
Tradition: Christian-Catholic and Protestant
In the churches that follow the Gregorian calendar, Lent is a six-week observance (40 days excluding Sundays) beginning with Ash Wednesday and culminating in Holy Week. It is a time of repentance and sacrifice in preparation for Easter. Observance(s) during this time may include fasting.
Great Lent
Mon., Feb. 16 – Sat., Apr. 11, 2026
Tradition: Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Orthodox
In Orthodox churches, the first day of Lent marks the beginning of the Great Fast, the final six weeks of a 10-week period leading up to Holy Week and Easter (Pascha). In the churches that follow the Gregorian calendar, Lent is a six-week observance (40 days excluding Sundays) beginning with Ash Wednesday and culminating in Holy Week. It is a time of repentance and sacrifice in preparation for Easter.
Great Lent
Mon., Feb. 23 – Sat., Apr. 11, 2026
Tradition: Eastern Christianity-Orthodox
In Orthodox churches, the first day of Lent marks the beginning of the Great Fast, the final six weeks of a 10-week period leading up to Holy Week and Easter (Pascha). In the churches that follow the Gregorian calendar, Lent is a six-week observance (40 days excluding Sundays) beginning with Ash Wednesday and culminating in Holy Week. It is a time of repentance and sacrifice in preparation for Easter.
Nineteen Day Fast
Mon., Mar. 2 – Fri., Mar. 20, 2026
Tradition: Baha'i
A designated 19-day period of fasting each year immediately before the Bahá’í New Year. The fasting is seen as a period of spiritual preparation and regeneration for the new year ahead.
Purim
Mon., Mar. 2, 2026
Tradition: Judaism
Celebrates the rescue of the Jews of ancient Persia from a plot to destroy them as related in the Book of Esther, which is read at this time. Purim is a joyous holiday, celebrated by wearing costumes, giving gifts to friends, giving to the poor and socializing. Preceded by the Fast of Esther, Purim is a day of feasting.
Holi
Tue., Mar. 3, 2026
Tradition: Hinduism
A joyous spring Hindu festival that is dedicated to Krishna in some parts of India; in other parts of India, it is dedicated to Kama, the God of Pleasure. People throw colored water or colored powder in celebration.
Laylat al-Qadr
Sun., Mar. 15, 2026
Tradition: Islam
The Night of Power or Destiny commemorates the first revelation of the Qur’an (the Islamic scriptures) to Prophet Muhammad in 610 C.E.
| |
Support the University Chaplaincy
Supporting programs at Tufts University in religious, spiritual, ethical, and cultural life is easy and vital to our work. To donate, please click on the button below. Thank you for your generosity.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
The University Chaplaincy is a dynamic hub supporting religious, spiritual, ethical, and cultural life for all members of the Tufts community. We provide spiritual care, support religious and philosophical communities, educate about spiritual and ethical issues in society and the world, and promote multifaith engagement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
