“Spirituality in a Time of Crisis” Three-Part Interfaith Panel Series

COVID-19 has affected all of us in ways that we would not have imagined just a few months ago. As we all work to cope with this challenge, we offered a three-part series titled Spirituality in a Time of Crisis. This interfaith series, featuring female religious leaders as panelists in recognition of Women’s History Month in March, discussed how to take a step back, reflect, and understand not only our current situation and the world outside but also ourselves and those we love.

Panel One: Coping with Crisis

How does one begin to cope with a crisis? How can we understand the emotions that accompany crisis and know how to care for ourselves during times of great stress? The first panel in our series explores the nature of our reactions to stress, and how religious traditions help their followers make sense of the world during a major crisis.

Speakers: Maha Elgenaidi (Muslim, Executive Director, Islamic Networks Group), Bat Sheva Miller (Jewish, Associate Head of School, Oakland Hebrew Day School), Lakshmi Subramanian (Hindu, Vocalist-Scholar, Aks & Lakshmi), Sister Marianne Farina (Christian, Professor, Dominican School of Philosophy), and Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi (Buddhist, Teacher, Land of Medicine Buddha). Facilitator: ING Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan (Bay Area Director, Islamic Networks Group).

Panel Two: Building and Inspiring Fellowship and Community in a Time of Crisis

In times of crisis, news reports are full of stories about neighbors and strangers going out of their way to share food, rescue pets, locate loved ones, and help rebuild what has been lost. In our second panel, we seek to understand how religious traditions contribute to the displays of compassion, altruism, and creative solution-seeking that blossom when disaster strikes communities.

Speakers: Maha Elgenaidi (Muslim, Executive Director, Islamic Networks Group), Rabbi Amy Eilberg (Jewish, Director, Pardes Rodef Shalom Communities Program), Lakshmi Subramanian (Hindu, Vocalist-Scholar, Aks & Lakshmi), Reverend George Anne McDonnell (Christian, Rector, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church), Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi (Buddhist, Teacher, Land of Medicine Buddha). Facilitator: ING Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan (Bay Area Director, Islamic Networks Group).

Panel Three: Reflecting on Gratitude and Faith in a Time of Crisis

Religious traditions can teach us a lot about the importance of gratitude as a foundation of our life, even—or perhaps especially—in times of crisis. By funneling our emotions into positive action, we grow our empathy with others. In our third and final installment of this series, we learn helpful techniques that allow us to slow down and recognize and give thanks for all the blessings in our lives.

Speakers: Ameena Jandali (Muslim, Content Manager, Islamic Networks Group), Rabbi Melanie Aron (Jewish, Rabbi, Congregation Shir Hadash), Sheila Mohan (Hindu), Dianne Muller (Christian), and Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi (Buddhist, Teacher, Land of Medicine Buddha). Facilitator: ING Bay Area Director Ishaq Pathan (Bay Area Director, Islamic Networks Group).

Register Below to Receive a Two-Page Resource Document for Each Religion: