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| A Reflection from the University Chaplaincy
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Next week, the University Chaplaincy and Tisch College of Civic Life, along with our generous co-sponsors Alumni Engagement, the Asian American Center, Athletics, and the Ex-College bring Varun Soni, A96 back to campus for this year's Russell Lecture and Solomont Speaker Series collaboration. Soni was a Religion major here at Tufts, a student activist who championed the study of comparative religions in a liberal arts education, and an Ex-College undergrad teacher (he still credits this as one of his most formative experiences in college!). His minor was in Asian American Studies and he oriented his time here broadly towards Peace and Justice Studies. Even though that sounds so unique, doesn't it also sound so Tufts? It does to me.
I've come to know the Tufts student as someone who is intent on doing good and eager to do it non-traditionally. After Tufts, Soni went on to earn degrees in theology from Harvard Divinity School, religion from the University of California, Santa Barbara, law from the University of California, Los Angeles, and finally a Ph.D. with the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. He now serves as the Dean of Religious Life at the University of Southern California (the first Hindu to hold that title at an American college or university) and serves as faculty. His lecture next week, "The Game is Life: Spiritual Lessons from the Religion of Sports," is informed by his recent work with American football coach Pete Carroll co-teaching a class in the Marshall School of Business by the same name. Soni will share insights and wisdom about sports, religion, and spirituality from this collaboration and from his work as senior advisor for the multimedia production company Religion of Sports, which was founded by Tom Brady, Michael Strahan, and Gotham Chopra. To say we're excited to hear from him is an understatement - we really can't wait.
Does any Religion major think their path is a straight line to co-teaching with professional football coaches in a business school? And yet, in studying religion and law, in his curious openness to the best next step and ability to think with an interdisciplinary, liberal-arts mindset, he finds himself returning to campus this month to talk about just that. All I can say is: classic Tufts.
I hope you can join us for the event next week (find details below) and be inspired to do your own good, as non-traditionally as you like.
Warmly,
Nora Bond
Associate Director for Programs, University Chaplaincy
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Russell Lecture on Spiritual Life and Solomont Speaker Series Event
Tuesday, November 18, 5:00 p.m., Goddard Chapel
On Tuesday, November 18, we will host Varun Soni, A96 Dean of Religious Life at the University of Southern California, as our Russell Lecture speaker, and as part of the Solomont Speaker Series. This event is co-sponsored by the Alumni Engagement Office, the Asian American Center, Athletics, Ex-College, Tisch College, and the University Chaplaincy. The Lecture will be held in Goddard Chapel from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Reception to follow in Eaton 250 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The lecture "The Game is Life: Spiritual Lessons from the Religion of Sports" will combine Dean Soni's experience as a Hindu spiritual leader, a scholar of world religions, and work with collegiate and professional sports teams and coaches. You can read his full biography and find more information about the event one our website, and register through the link above.
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Religious and Philosophical Events and Gatherings
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Finding Your Voice, Building Your World: Experiments in Connection and Change
Wednesday, November 19, 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m., Tisch Library (Room 127)
This workshop for graduate students invites participants to explore what ethical leadership means during this time of precarity, and to consider the values, commitments, and "tiny experiments" that contribute to an ecosystem of care. Food will be provided! Please register below. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Humanist Chaplain Anthony Cruz Pantojas.
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Student Voices Award Submissions Open!
Submit by December 7
All Tufts students are invited to apply for the 2026 Student Voices Award as part of the annual MLK Celebration! A cash prize of $500 will be awarded to the winner (may be an individual or a group). Submissions should respond to the excerpt from King’s 1963 “I Have A Dream” speech: "We cannot walk alone. As we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back." Submissions can be any medium (photography, spoken word, essay, dance, etc.) and must be submitted by Sunday, December 7, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Find more information and submit your work through the link below.
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Save the Date: Pax et Lux
Wednesday, December 3, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Goddard Chapel
Pax et Lux is Tufts University’s annual multi-faith and multi-cultural winter celebration organized by the University Chaplaincy's Interfaith Ambassador Team. Inspired by themes of ‘Peace and Light,’ the program seeks to highlight the rich mosaic of arts, traditions, and histories present at Tufts University. It further aims to honor diversity through storytelling, music, dance, and performance – bridging the magic of festivities with the celebration of peace. Join this year for dancers, story-tellers, and the aftershow "Light the Quad" !
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Department of Religion Open House
Wednesday, November 19, 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m., Eaton 170
Join the Religion Department on Wednesday, November 19th in Eaton 170 at 12pm for our annual Fall Religion Open House. This year we are delighted to have Tufts Religion Alumnus and current USC Dean of Religious Life, Varun Soni, A96 as a guest speaker! Chat with faculty and current students, learn more about majoring or minoring in Religion and check out our Spring 2026 course offerings. Lunch will be provided!
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Indigenous Peoples' Heritage Month is celebrated at Tufts University to honor the remarkable Indigenous People who have contributed, visited, and sacrificed their livelihood for the lands which Tufts occupies. This month is also referred to as the American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month and/or Native American History Month. At Tufts, November is a time to rejoice the diverse and rich cultures, histories, and traditions and to appreciate the great contributions of Indigenous Peoples. This month allows the Indigenous community at Tufts to spread awareness and to educate people about the various challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples in the past and today. Throughout this month, we commit to keep on supporting the remaining Indigenous Peoples and let the world know about their sacrifices and as always, to center Indigeneity at Tufts University. The Indigenous Center hopes you can attend and support one of our many events in November or beyond. If you have questions, please email the Indigenous Center.
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Resources and Opportunities
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From Broken Hearts to Spiritual Warrors with Lama Rod Owens
Saturday, November 15, 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Shambhala Meditation Center of Boston
The Shambhala Meditation Center of Boston is honored to host Lama Rod Owens for a one day event with a talk and community meditation practice. Lama Rod will be speaking about spiritual warriorship. His talk will relate to his recent book, The New Saints: From Broken Hearts to Spiritual Warriors. We will also have a community practice opportunity in the morning hosted by our BIPOC affinity group. More information can be found on the event page linked below.
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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.
Gurunanak Jayanthi
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
(Sikhism) Guru Nanak's Birthday.
Sigd
Wednesday, November 19 - Thursday, November 20, 2025
(Judaism) Begins at sundown on the first day listed. Celebrated 50 days after Yom Kippur, especially in Ethiopian Jewish communities.
Day of the Covenant
Monday, November 24 – Tuesday, November 25, 2025
(Baha'i) Begins at sundown on the first day listed. Celebrates the anniversary of the appointment of 'Abdu'l-Baha, the son of Baha'u'llah, as the Center of the Covenant.
Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji
Monday, November 24, 2025
(Sikhism) This day commemorates the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (1621-1675), the ninth of the Ten Sikh Gurus. He is remembered not only for his defense of the Sikh faith but also for his defense of Hinduism and religious liberty.
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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.
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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.
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