Tli HERALD
November 13, 2013
Interfaith Council: Really, All Are Welcome
Rachel Pratl, editorial editor
Before becoming a secular college in 1997,
Meredith was traditionally a Baptist college. The
Christian Chapel was built to honor a religious tradi
tion that many Meredith students do not believe in.
For years, those students have needed a place for fel
lowship and prayer and haven’t found it on campus
until now. Enter the Interfaith Council; a campus
group founded to promote religious diversity and ac
ceptance.
In hopes of sending the message that all are
truly welcome at Meredith, the recently renovated
Meditation Room will become a place where all stu
dents of all faiths are welcomed to engage in prayer
and fellowship opportunities. The room will be free
of any religiously affiliated symbols and groups will
be welcomed at all times.
In addition to renovating the Meditation
Room for students. Interfaith has many other proj
ects going on around campus. Today at The Gather
ing, held at 10 a.m. in the Chapel Common Room, the
Student Government Association and Interfaith are
inviting everyone to participate in a discussion about
inter-religious respect on campus. Following that
meeting, a Student Life Forum will be held next week
“Interfaith is not just for people
of certain religions—it’s for
everyone. We want Christians
and Muslims and Atheists and
Pagans—everyone—to be
involved. We want [Interfaith]
to be a place where people can
go and not feel like they have to
be something that they’re not.”
on Nov. 19 at 5:30 p.m. in BDH West (even if you
don’t have a meal plan, you’re invited to sit in). The
Forum will focus on creating a respectful, religiously
tolerant environment in the Meredith community.
Interfaith is excited to be kicking off a new
project called Ravel Unravel. Founded by Project
Interfaith, the group which inspired on-campus In
terfaith Council. Ravel Unravel involves interview
ing people and video recording their answers when
asked about their religious identity, their commu
nity’s perception of their religion, any stereotypes
or misconceptions they feel are associated with that
set of beliefs and anything the interviewee would like
the world to know about their faith. According to the
Ravel Unravel website, the movement is, “designed
to foster understanding, conversation, and commu
nity;” qualities many would like to see flourish on
campus.
Just as Interfaith hopes that Ravel Unravel
will open eyes to the religious diversity of Meredith’s
student body, they also have hopes for an upcoming
religious survey. Introduced by Religious and Ethical
Studies Professor Dr. Shannon Grimes, the survey
will be available for students next spring. This infor
mation will help the college and Interfaith Council
provide students vdth what they need to feel truly
welcome at Meredith.
“Interfaith is not just for people of certain
religions—it’s for everyone. We want Christians and
Muslims and Atheists and Pagans—everyone—to be
involved. We want [Interfaith] to be a place where
people can go and not feel like they have to be some
thing that they’re not,” says President of Interfaith
Council, Tammy Shovelton. While Interfaith is grow
ing by leaps and bounds, Shovelton wants to see
more students attend meetings, knowing many are
seeking a stronger sense of community on campus.
Tis the Season: Thanksgiving, Jewish Tradition and Thanksgivinukkah
Marlena Brown, staff writer
The holiday season is quickly approach
ing and many people are already making holiday
plans. The usual concerns such as food, festivi
ties and family are at the top of the list, but what
about the gifts used to celebrate the eight days
of the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jeru
salem? This happens to be the case for several
observers of Jewish tradition since Hanukkah
falls on Thanksgiving this year. Traditionally,
Hanukkah coincides with Christmas, but rarely
does it fall on the same day as Thanksgiving. So
how will these two holidays be celebrated with
one another?
Not since 1888, has Thanksgiving nor
Hanukkah been on the same day. According to
the Huffington Post, the term “Thanksgivinuk
kah” was coined by Boston woman Dana Gitell
while on her way to her marketing job at an el
derly care facility. Now a fun social label, the
convergent holidays are being seen as bringing
together of both American and Jewish tradition.
Individuals from either spectrum can infuse
their traditions to create new and vibrant altera
tions on each culture. Rabbi Rick Jacobs, who is
lappy Holidays from The Meredith Herald Staff!
the head of the Reform Judaism in North Ameri
ca congregation, commented on the event for the
Huffington Post. He claims that both holidays
are able to be celebrated together because they
are symbolic of a similar goal: attaining religious
liberty. Just as the Pilgrims sought freedom to
practice religion freely, ancient Jews gained vic-
toty over Greek oppressors who originally pro
hibited Judaism. So perhaps Thanksgiving and
Hanukkah are more than just traditional calen
dar holidays.
Although each holiday is nationally rec
ognized, they certainly are perceived as much
more than seasonal celebrations. As explained in
the Huffington Post, there have been discussions
of how each holiday will be celebrated as well as
the potential revenue that stores, restaurants
and outlets can generate from the coinciding of
holidays. Usually, Hanukkah is in constant com
petition with Christmas in terms of sales, but this
year, that certainly will not be an issue. Aside
from terms of revenue and profit though, it ap
pears that the holiday spirit is with many people,
whether Jewish or non-Jewish. So go out and en
joy the holiday traditions, and while you’re at it,
make a menurkah for the road.
via dailymail.co.uk
STAFF
Editors: Jessica Feltner, Editor in Chief. Julia Dent, Managing Editor. Cody Jeffrey, Assistant Editor. Lucia Rynka-Estevez, Layout Editor.
Monique Kreisman, News Editor. Maitlyn Healy, A&E and Sports Editor. Rachel Pratl, Editorial Editor. Caitlin Davis, Copy Editor.
Staff Writers: Hannah Nielsen, Katy Koop, Livi Burke, Alyssa Mathewson, Marlena Brown, Mollie Schrull, Isabel Benson, Kristin Hight
The Meredith Herald is produced by students throughout the academic year and is printed by Hinton Press. The paper is funded by the College and through inde
pendent advertising. The opinions expressed in the editorial columns do not necessarily reflect those of the college administration, faculty, or student body.
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