Fall Academy of Religion Celebrates a Half Century of Discussions

WOOSTER, Ohio — The annual Fall Academy of Religion at The College of Wooster will celebrate a half century of discussions with this year’s topic “Tikkun Olam: To Heal a Broken World,” every Wednesday night starting Sept. 19 and running through Oct. 24. The lecture series, which is free and open to the public, will be held in Lean Lecture Room of Wishart Hall (303 E. University St.) from 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Tikkun Olam is a Hebrew phrase deeply embedded in the history of Jewish thought. It represents the requirement that all Jewish people have a responsibility to work for the political, material, moral, and spiritual well-being of the entirety of all creation. While the phrase has its roots in Judaism, similar concepts are found in many other religious secular traditions. According to Charles Kammer, the James F. Lincoln Professor of Religious Studies at Wooster, “in this ‘Academy’ we will hear from people who are engaged in the work of healing the world, sometimes risking their own lives and own well-being.”
The series begins on Sept. 19 when Rev. Haroldo Nunes, executive director and pastor of Open Arms Hispanic Ministry, presents “Loving My Neighbor as Jesus Loved Me.” The following week (Sept. 26), Rev. Andrew Genszler, president and CEO of Cleveland based Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry, will discuss “A Second Chance for Returning Citizens, for All Citizens: Faithful Witness for 2018 America.”
On Oct. 3, the topic will be “You Break It, You Fix It,” featuring Joan Friedman, associate professor of history and religious studies at The College of Wooster. Kammer will speak at the fourth lecture on Oct. 10, addressing “All the King’s Horses and All the King’s Men.”
One week later (Oct. 17), the topic will be “Recognizing the Worthwhile in the Futile: A Personal Reflection on Working Within the Syrian Conflict in Hope for Healing to Come,” presented by Nellika Little, who has worked in conflict zones in Afghanistan, Kosovo, South Sudan, and Syria for the Asia Foundation, the United Nations, the United States Institute of Peace, and United States Agency for International Development Office. The series will then conclude on Oct. 24 by welcoming back alumnus Max Lesko ‘06, chief of staff and director of national organizing and intergovernmental outreach for the Children’s Defense Fund. He will discuss “Children in America.”
Additional information is available by phone (330-263-2473) or by email.

Posted in Event on September 17, 2018.