Beyond Duality:

Lessons from the Yezidi Kurds and Yom Kippur

October 1 11AM

Lakeshore Interfaith Institute welcomes Debbie Aliya who will
give a fascinating program on the Semitic religious traditions of the 
Jewish and Kurdish people of the Middle East. Drawing on experiences gained 
partly while living and working on an Israeli kibbutz, Debbie will describe 
the Yezidi belief system, one of several syncretistic faiths followed by
the Kurdish people, who preach tolerance in the face of centuries of
misunderstanding and persecution.

Since it is also the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, we will also touch on the
mystical understanding of why the Day of Atonement and the Day of Judgement
are both HAPPY holidays for ALL Jews, regardless of their personal failures
and sins. Mrs Aliya,a Materials Engineer, was very active with the Grand Rapids
Interfaith Dialogue Association for several years and was in the inaugural class 
of the Lakeshore Interfaith Institute's World Great Wisdom Traditions Interfaith 
Educator Certificate program.


At Noon Dena Blay-Stroba will lead an Interfaith Worship incorporating prayers,
readings and meditation from several religions.
Jim Cooper will provide original music to enhance the experience.