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Discover World Religions and Cultures with Your Library
About Blog Post
Mar 8, 2018
by Pressroom
Connect with your community and explore diversity with the Somerset County Library of New Jersey’s (SCLSNJ) program series on world religion and other spiritual theories.
This informative series – exploring Atheism, Islam, Mormonism, and more – will be hosted at SCLSNJ’s Warren Twp. Library branch, located at 42 Mountain Boulevard in Warren Twp. spanning throughout 2018.
“In response to rapid advances in global communications and technology, and the increasingly diverse fabric of the American population, SCLSNJ will be offering a yearlong series from a philosophical, historical, and cultural perspective on world religions and cultures,” said Cathy DeBerry, adult services librarian.
Continued DeBerry, “We hope this series will contribute to a greater understanding of the world around us and continue to contribute to the lifelong learning of our patrons.”
The series will offer book discussions, poetry readings, and informative talks and discussions presented by university professors and experts from throughout the community.
“These programs support the Library's mission to connect, to explore, to share, and to discover by connecting members of the community through education, by exploring literature, by community members sharing their experiences and knowledge, and by discovering new information,” said Branch Manager Lauren Ryan.
Discover the world religion and culture series:
From Shtetl to Ghetto
March 14, 7-8:30 p.m.
Discover how life in the shtetls of Eastern Europe prepared Jewish women for life in the New World. This discussion will explore how these women profited from opportunities in America but suffered in their personal lives. Presented by Associate Professor of American Studies at Rutgers University, Leslie Fishbein. Register: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/591210.
Islam and Words Without Borders
April 11, 7-8:30 p.m.
Author and poet Faleeha Hassan, born in Iraq in 1967, earned an M.A. in Arabic literature and has published several collections of poetry in Arabic. Hassan will share her experiences as a Muslim woman and poet in her native country of Iraq and her recently adopted home of the U.S. A poetry reading, question and answer session, and a book signing will follow her presentation. Register: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/540470.
Religion, Way of Life, or Philosophy?
May 2, 7-8:30 p.m.
Practiced by roughly one billion people worldwide, Hinduism has many diverse understandings of divinity within Hinduism. The talk will provide an overview of the principal teachings of Hinduism and their relevance to religious, practical, and philosophical applications. Presented by Warren Twp. resident Prakash Bellur. Register: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/533323.
“Under the Banner of Heaven” by Jon Krakauer Book Discussion
June 6, 7-8:30 p.m.
In “Under the Banner of Heaven,” Jon Krakauer enters the world of Mormon fundamentalism. Using secondary historical texts and contemporary primary sources, Krakauer details the history of the Mormon church and how it became one of the world’s fastest-growing religions. Check out a copy of the book at the branch after May 1. Register: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/623435.
Atheists, Humanists, and Agnostics
July 11, 7-8:30 p.m.
Explore Atheism, Humanism, and Agnosticism and how they interact with each other. Presented by Lisa Ridge, president of the New Jersey Humanist Network. Register: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/635469.
Mindfulness Within the Arts and Beyond
September 27, 7-8:30 p.m.
According to venerable Zen master, Thich Nhat Hanh, individuals practice mindfulness if they learn to see themselves as a part of the objects they are in contact with. This presentation will examine mindfulness within the fine arts and beyond. Register: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/653530.