What happens when Jewish, Muslim and Christian kids attend a summer camp in London, Ontario? Find out as Ahlulbayt TV brings you first-hand experiences of the young campers attending the London Interfaith Peace Camp. Interfaith work doesn’t stop there. London’s Mayor and two City Councillors also attended the camp as an interfaith team of Chistianity, Judaism and Islam emphasizing the importance of embracing Canada’s growing diversity. In a world often filled with challenges and uncertainty, “Peace, Salam, Shalom” will certainly inspire viewers to plant the seeds of friendship and understanding from a very young age. Kindly send your feedback to toronto@ahlulbayt.tv. Enjoy the documentary: Peace, Salam, Shalom at https://youtu.be/MpYJq69Lif8

Congratulations to the organizers of the World Partnership Walk, 2016! The weather was great, the crowd joyful, and all ages had fun contributing to this worthy cause. We’re very happy to announce that a total of $1160. was raised on the VMS Team Page.

VMS at World Partnership Walk 2016

World Partnership Walk 

Join the Victoria Multifaith Society Team!

SUNDAY 29 MAY, 2016, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Location: University of Victoria – Petch Fountain Square by Library, Ring Rd, , Victoria, BC V8W 3H5 Canada

Join our Victoria Multi-faith Society team for the World Partnership Walk campaign and help us end global poverty.

The World Partnership Walk is Canada’s largest annual event dedicated to raising funds and increasing awareness to fight global poverty.  It’s a fantastic opportunity to engage our communities and networks in an important cause.  The money we raise together will support Aga Khan Foundation Canada’s international development projects in Asia and Africa to enable families and communities to lift themselves out of poverty through access to quality education, life-saving health services, food security and improved livelihoods.

We are looking to grow our team and boost the positive impact we can make in our global community. Together, we have a valuable opportunity to be a force of change.  Join us and let’s make a difference!

Sincerely,

Ali Hemani
Chair, Victoria Multi-faith Society

Click here to view the team page for Victoria Multi-faith Society

Congregation Emanu-El Synagogue tours

Synagogue tours will be taking place every Thursday afternoon beginning June 2 to August 25 starting at 1:00 pm at Congregation Emanu-El Synagogue, 1461 Blanshard Street, Victoria.  Cost:  $10 per adult (cash only); free for children under 12.  All the information is athttp://www.congregationemanuel.ca/tours.html

Private tours of 20 or more people can be booked for another day/time.  Groups of 20 or more can also enjoy a delicious Jewish style lunch before touring the synagogue (with advance notice), prepared with finesse by Marc Fagen of Veggie Fast Foods.

Community, Arts and Spiritual Values: Saturday, May 28th

Please join us for an inspiring presentation lined up for May 28^th as part of the Cook St. “Building the Future” free series of public talks sponsored by the Bahá’í Community of Victoria.

Community, arts and spiritual values: Challenging patterns of addiction, by Edward Epp, was developed across disciplines, drawing on professional and life experience as well as the influence of Bahá’í teachings.

Edward has been a practicing artist for more than forty years, and has taught art in post-secondary institutions in Liberia, Botswana, Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. He is also a professional Counsellor. He has worked with youth in art-centered healing projects in Massett, Kitkatla, Malahat, Halalt and Pennelkut.

The talk will take place in the auditorium (please use the parking lot entrance), Cook St. Activity Centre, 380 Cook St., followed by Q&A, and refreshments. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; the talk will begin at 7 p.m. All are welcome; there is no charge.

The Family Faith Fair held in honour of the United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week was a great success, with over 150 attending. Eight world faiths were represented at the colourful fair exhibits at Cadboro Bay United Church. The event raised awareness of the beauty and vitality of these faith communities and raised over $900 for the CBUC’s Syrian refugee sponsorship program.

The Fair also featured a World Café, First Nations dancer Amanda Edward, a report by Dr Sabine Lehr on the refugee sponsorship effort in Victoria, keynote speaker Dan Vaillancourt on “The Soul of Education”, multicultural dances from India and the Philippines, storytelling and a closing dance circle.

Prizes were given to children for participation in a Scavenger Hunt at the Fair Table exhibits, and to adults who participated in the fundraiser.

There was a great spirit of unity, apparent in the joy and laughter of participants of all ages, and dedicated help of the many volunteers who made the event happen!

Photos and comments have been posted on the Facebook Event page.

1:30 p.m., Sunday, February 7th, 2016

World events remind us of the need to celebrate our unity in diversity, the positive power of faith, and the need to work together for the well-being of the community and the world.

The Victoria Multifaith Society has decided to combine World Interfaith Harmony Week with a fundraising effort for the Syrian refugee program, to welcome families who will be starting a new life here in Victoria.

The Family Faith Fair will take place at 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday, February 7th, at Cadboro Bay United Church, 2625 Arbutus Rd., during B.C. Family Day weekend. The event is free of charge, with a nominal fee for treats at the World Café. All donations to the refugee program will be rewarded with automatic entry in a Prize Draw for prizes of interest to the whole family.

In addition to the World Café, the event will feature multicultural dance performances and colourful exhibits by a wide variety of religions such as Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism, Unitarian, Sikh and Bahá’í. There will also be a keynote speech by educator Dan Vaillancourt on The Soul of Education, and talented storytellers with tales from different world faiths on generosity and compassion.

The event program will include a series of questions to be answered at the various exhibits, with each “full card” eligible for a 2^nd Prize Draw. Both draws are scheduled for the end of the program. Winners will choose from a variety of prizes as each winning entry is chosen for fundraiser donations and full cards.

Gifts include a gift certificate for Pagliacci’s Restaurant, tickets to the IMAX theatre and the Victoria Butterfly Gardens, and some great books from Bolen Books – thanks to our wonderful community supporters!

It’s hoped that as many people as possible will participate in this effort to support the refugees and provide a fun and educational activity for people of all ages, budgets, backgrounds and beliefs.

For further information or to volunteer at the event, please email victoriamultifaith@gmail.com

An independent multifaith team called Spirit of Health, operating under the VMS banner, put together an event on spirituality and mental health, which took place 5 p.m. Wed., October 14^th, 2015, at the University of Victoria.

“The Art of Mental and Spiritual Self-Care Forum & Fair” was sponsored and funded by the UVic Student Mental Health Initiative. Thanks to the many volunteers and exhibitors who assisted with the project, as well as our wonderful panelists and keynote speaker. Please see the links above for more information.

Interfaith resources developed for the event, e.g. on. universal spiritual principles, can be found here.

The Victoria Multifaith Society reformed at its Annual General Meeting in August, with 6 new members and 2 returning. The first meeting of the new Board was held in September, when officers were elected.

Board members are:

• Ali Hemani                   (Muslim)            Chairperson
• Sheila Flood                (Bahá’í)              Secretary
• Christine Johnson       (Unitarian)          Treasurer
• Sridevi Ganti               (Hindu)
• Thomas Hunsberger   (Buddhist)
• John Steele                 (Christian)
• Parminderjeet Virk       (Sikh)
• Neal Wasser                (Jewish)

Thanks go to the outgoing board members, Logan McMenamie, Sharon Welsh, Alan Dawson, Ashok Agarwal, Gabriela Yanez, and Jagir Virk. We continue to seek a board member for First Nations Spirituality; recommendations would be welcome.

Victoria Multifaith Society Annual General Meeting

The Annual General meeting which took place at the Ismaili Jamtkhana Centre was adjourned to:

August 9, 2015
Place: First Unitarian Church of Victoria, 5575 West Saanich Road, Victoria BC, opposite the Red Barn.
Time: 2 -4pm.

We now have a full list of nominees for the seats which are becoming vacant on the Board except for the First Nations position, if anyone has a suggestion for that position please contact us at: victoriamultifaith@gmail.com

If any change takes place in the location of the event, notification will be given.

We are looking forward to seeing you at this event.

Thursdays @ 1 pm in June, July and August, 2015:
Tour Congregation Emanu-el Synagogue
$10 Adults; free for children under 12

Thursdays @ 2-3:30 pm in June, July and August, 2015:
Tour Jewish Victoria @ a leisurely pace
$15 for Adults; $13 for Students/Seniors
$2.00 discount for taking both tours

For these tours meet at Congregation Emanu-El Synagogue, 1461 Blanshard Street, Victoria

Sunday @ 2 p.m. on June 28, 2015:
Tour B.C.’s oldest surviving cemetery
Led by local historian, John Adams
$5; $2 for Old Cemeteries Society Members

Meet at the cemetery gates at the corner of Fernwood Rd and Cedar Hill for the cemetery tour. Please bring a ceepah or hat (required for men and boys, optional for women and girls).

For information or to book a private tour please contact:
Synagogue tours: stories@maggidah.com
Walking tours: www.discoverthepast.com
Cemetery tours: oldcem@pacificcoast.net