Concord Interfaith Fellowship

Next public meeting: Monday 19th April 2021, 7.30pm on Zoom (doors open 7.15)

Holy Places in Judaism

Presented by Rabbi Paul Strasko

Zoom link Meeting ID: 874 6769 0021 Passcode: 041587

It is a linguistic irony that in Judaism, one of the names for the Eternal is “The Place,” or HaMakom in Hebrew. Every place you go you encounter G-d, as G-d is the “place” of the universe, and so every place can be filled with G-d. When we specifically think of holy places in Judaism, the first images that come to mind may be the Western Wall in Jerusalem or perhaps synagogues. In his lecture, Rabbi Strasko looks at these Holy Places, but as well explores from a slightly different perspective what “holy place” means to Jews and to Judaism.

Welcome

Concord is one of the oldest interfaith groups in the UK, founded over 40 years ago. It exists to foster friendship, trust, tolerance, understanding and co-operation among members of the faith communities of multi-cultural Leeds.

The group also works closely with the Leeds Faith Forum and is affiliated to the national Interfaith Network for the UK.
Some of the faiths Concord brings together:
Baha'is, Brahma Kumaris, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, Pagans, Sikhs and others.

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Its aims are:

to advance public knowledge and mutual understanding of the teachings, traditions and practices of the different faith communities in the Leeds Metropolitan District, and to nurture respect and friendly relations by facilitating interfaith dialogue and organising educational and cultural events;
to promote and to work for justice, peace and social harmony for the public benefit in the multi-cultural Leeds Metropolitan District by advocacy, by focused public events and projects, and by co-operating with other organisations that have similar objectives.

Concord Namaste Fund

Concord has set up a special fund to provide grants to enable young people to engage in interfaith dialogue by, for example, attending conferences, workshops and lectures in Britain or overseas, such as the youth events organised by the Interfaith Network of Great Britain. Young people aged 14-21 can apply for an individual grant of up to £100, and schools and other organisations can get £250.

Donations to the fund are welcome

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The word ‘namaste’ refers to the form of greeting commonly used in India, illustrated here. It is a respectful, peaceful way of recognising the divine in another person, which encapsulates the spirit of true interfaith dialogue.

The fund is administered by the registered trustees of Concord.

Young people aged 14-21 can apply for a grant of up to £100. Click here for more details.

Donations to the fund would be welcome. Click here to donate online You can also donate:

BY BANK TRANSFER: Make a BACS payment to Sort Code 40-52-40 A/c No 00013515, include your name as Reference, and send an email to
treasurer@concord-leeds.org.uk to alert the Treasurer to the payment, specifying that it is for the Namaste Fund.
BY POST: Write a cheque payable to Concord and post it to Stephen Tucker, Concord Treasurer, Southway, 371A Halifax Road, Liversedge, WF15 8DU. Add a note with your contact details so that we can acknowledge your gift, and state explictly that it is for the Namaste Fund.

Simon Phillips, Director of Interfaith at the Leeds Jewish Representative Council sends an open invitation to this virtual interfaith event

Interfaith Celebrations - Diversity & Inclusion
7th April 2021 16:00 – 17:00

YABA in partnership with Leeds City Region and the Leeds Jewish Representative Council have organised a virtual event that promotes interfaith understanding by emphasizing factors common to all faiths.

Click here for details

Annual Peace Service

Candles

In a necessary break with tradition, this year's Peace Service was held by Zoom instead of being in the Civic Hall. Nevertheless, all the usual features of the service were included: an address from the Lord Mayor, candles lit on behalf of nine faith traditions, readings, prayers and music, and the service was reckoned to be one of the best we have done. The candles were all together at the Brahma Kumaris Centre.

Click here for report, pictures, recording and text of the service.

Concord's 40th Anniversary book: A Leeds Interfaith Story 1946-2016

This substantial and unique book, published to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Concord, tells the story of the different faith communities in Leeds and of the key individuals who have promoted interfaith relationships. Written by a team including Trevor Bates, Primrose Agbamu, Cynthia Dickinson , John Moreton & John Summerwill (with contributions from Concord members)

Available to purchase or free online. Click here for details

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