Making a Joyful Noise!
Come Celebrate 20 Years of the Abraham Festival!
The United Nations International Day of Peace
We invite you to a special event to celebrate the UN International Day of Peace. This is a free event, and everyone is welcome!
2023 Abraham Festival
Celebrating 20 Years of the Abraham Festival!
Hope Abides
We have all experienced loss of some type, whether it be the loss of a relationship, the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, the loss of health, or even the loss of a homeland.
The Hope Abides Gathering is for anyone who has experienced any type of loss. This event will take place at St. James United Church at noon on Sunday, December 4th, 2022 and will feature readings and commentaries from various faiths, as well as music. If you are unable to attend in person you can watch online by following this link on that day at noon: https://www.twitch.tv/stjamesunited.
This Multicultural, Multifaith Gathering is sponsored by the Abraham Festival, The Oasis and St. James United Church in Peterborough.
Please join us on 4th December.
The Abraham Festival Committee
2022 Abraham Festival
Celebrating 19 Years of the Abraham Festival!
Through Ramadan, Passover and Holy Week
Coming soon!
On March 27th there was an Abraham Festival zoom event to consider what sense of purpose these special days in April bring to all three Abrahamic Faiths. Watch for the audio recording of this event.
An Exploration of the Divine Presence
Through Ramadan, Passover and Holy Week
This April, all three Abrahamic Faiths hold observances in the same month!
We invite you to join us on March 27 2:00 – 3.30pm for an Abraham Festival zoom event to consider what sense of purpose these special days bring to the lives of those who follow the Abrahamic faiths.
Please watch these 3 videos before March 27th:
“This is Ramadan” with Aaysha Noor https://youtube.com/watch?v=ZT-UeMg37SI&feature=share
“Understanding Holy Week” https://youtu.be/rs6UeOzaKe8
“What is Passover?” https://youtu.be/Ej6n_2KJ_OI
Then join us on Sunday 27th March to hear our speakers & ask them questions. They are:
Ziysah von Bieberstein: Poet, community activist & member of the Jewish community in Peterborough, with her daughter Norah.
Lina Hachemi: Corporate Regulatory Compliance & Enforcement Officer at Health Canada, & member of the Muslim community.
Helen McCarthy: Member of the Catholic community & Abraham Festival Committee Chair, with her son Daniel
You will need to register for the event at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYkc–srjgqHdz5ssZ0ftvw5Tdi2HbqI7Zh
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
The Abraham Festival Committee
Questions? abrahamfestivalptbo@gmail.com
Celebrating World Interfaith Harmony Week
The audio recording of this zoom session is now available to listen to.
On Sunday 6th February the Abraham Festival held a zoom session to celebrate World Interfaith Harmony Week.
“OUT OF THE WILDERNESS: AN INTERFAITH JOURNEY”
A conversation about Abraham’s legacy, and how we can promote harmony and work together as people of the Abrahamic faiths with speakers:
Ziysah von Bieberstein: Poet, community activist & member of the Jewish community in Peterborough
Father Paul Massel: Catholic priest for the Diocese of Peterborough & Faith Animator & Chaplain for the PVNC Catholic District School Board
Imam Michael AbdurRashid Taylor: Regional Chaplain Correctional Service Canada; Wellness & Multifaith Educator
Out of the Wilderness: An Interfaith Journey
Six Nations of the Grand River: A Samaritan Story
The Abraham Festival invites you to our next zoom session for 2021, on Sunday 21st November from 1 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. EST!
“The Natural Thing To Do” – Exploring the Golden Rule, and learning from past mistakes
Six Nations of the Grand River: A Samaritan Story
We are very happy to welcome Rev. George Best as he examines the text of the parable in Luke 10, of “the Good Samaritan” from a historical perspective. His re-contextualization of the story to the conflict of the late 1700’s examines how the Haudenosaunee supported immigrant members of a farming community on the wrong side of the Revolutionary War. This biographical account and ancestral story is updated today, supporting specific “Calls to Action” from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, surrounding Canada’s moral problem. The racist, un-Holy church-state foundation of nation-building from the Doctrine of Discovery is pivotal. It helps us understand the aftermath of genocide since the residential school experiment against Indigenous Peoples. The Haudenosaunee, by contrast, show us the “natural thing to do.”
Bio: Rev. George Best is married to Judith, and retired from a professional career in criminal justice. He is a member of Wideman Mennonite Church, Markham; an ordained minister and graduate of Waterloo University with Bachelors of Arts in social development, peace and conflictand restorative justice studies; and a graduate with Masters of Divinity from Queen’s University, Kingston, with concentration in Restorative Justice. George has a life long interest in social justice, having advocated with Indigenous Peoples during the OKA Crisis and the Ipperwash land disputes; he advocates with the Six Nations of the Grand River for the construction of an Immersion Languages School, and lives on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee of the Williams Treaty of Southern Ontario.
Please register for this event by sending an email to abrahamfestivalptbo@gmail.com
You will then receive the zoom link to enable you to join the session
We invite you to join us for this zoom presentation, and to stay for the Q & A!
Watch this video now!
METAPHORS OF THE MYSTICS
Teachings and traditions that enrich our lives
by Imam Jamal Rahman
Our spiritual traditions help us to embrace our joys and sorrows and to evolve into the fullness of our being, build community and explore ways to connect with ‘the other’. Metaphors of the Mystics unravels universal insights and practices from the three Abrahamic faiths.
Imam Jamal Rahman is a popular speaker on interfaith relations, Islam and Sufi spirituality. Along with his Interfaith Amigos, he has been featured in the New York Times, on CBS News, the BBC and various NPR programs. Co-founder and Muslim Sufi minister at Interfaith Community Sanctuary, author and adjunct faculty at Seattle University, Jamal travels nationally and internationally, presenting at conferences, retreats and workshops.
To watch Imam Jamal Rahman’s talk, please click on the image below.
Metaphors of The Mystics
We are excited to invite you to join us via Zoom on Sunday, April 11, 2021 from 3-5 p.m. Eastern for an uplifting workshop led by Imam Jamal Rahman of the Interfaith Amigos.
Many of you attended the festival a few years ago when the Interfaith Amigos were the keynote speakers, and we are blessed to have Imam Jamal join us from Seattle for this event.
METAPHORS OF THE MYSTICS
Teachings and traditions that enrich our lives
by Imam Jamal Rahman.
Our spiritual traditions help us to embrace our joys and sorrows and to evolve into the fullness of our being, build community and explore ways to connect with ‘the other’. Metaphors of the Mystics will unravel universal insights and practices from the three Abrahamic faiths.
Imam Jamal Rahman is a popular speaker on interfaith relations, Islam and Sufi spirituality. Along with his Interfaith Amigos, he has been featured in the New York Times, on CBS News, the BBC and various NPR programs. Co-founder and Muslim Sufi minister at Interfaith Community Sanctuary, author and adjunct faculty at Seattle University, Jamal travels nationally and internationally, presenting at conferences, retreats and workshops.
This event is FREE, however registration is required before 4 p.m. on Friday, April 9th using this link:
Metaphors of The Mystics Sign-up Form
Once you are registered, you will receive the zoom link to use on Sunday, April 11th.
If you have any questions, please email us at abrahamfestivalptbo@gmail.com
We look forward to seeing you on Sunday, April 11th!
Peace/shalom/salaam
The Abraham Festival Committee
2020 Abraham Festival Cancelled
Abraham Festival Interfaith Online Event
WE as a people have faith in each other. Also, irrespective of which faith we choose to follow, all our faiths teach us the common message, ‘We have to look out and care for one another’.
The current times have offered us an opportunity to reflect, provide care and comfort in new ways. By staying at home in social distancing, by serving as frontline workers, through prayers and positive intentions or through donating time and money.
The Abraham Festival has always lived this message of oneness through it’s work in the community. On April 18th 2020, the Abraham Festival transcended the celebration of the common message of oneness, comfort and being together ONLINE.
Faith leaders from the Abrahamic traditions were invited to present a reading from their sacred text which spoke to caring for one another. The faith leaders then shared their reflections about each other’s readings that provided comfort and wisdom from the background of their own faith teachings.
We offer our sincere thanks to Dr. Dan Houpt, Rev. Julie van Haaften, Rev, Jessica Beecham-Stockton & Shaikh Habeeb Alli for their readings, reflections, music and poetry.
We thank all those who attended for their wonderful response to our online event and we take pleasure in sharing the event with you here along with a transcript of the event.
Peace, salaam, shalom
The 17th Annual Abraham Festival – April 17-19, 2020
The Abraham Festival has been postponed.
Vegetarian Potluck and Dance
Join us for a Vegetarian Potluck and Dance this Saturday 30th November at 5:00 pm, to celebrate with the Abraham Festival committee and friends as we welcome our latest sponsored Syrian family to Peterborough.
We are very grateful to all who have helped in any way to help them get settled, and we would love to see you all at the synagogue on Weller St.
Vegetarian potluck, DJ music and dance (or you can just sit and tap your feet or clap your hands!)
16th Festival -SOLD OUT-
Thank you to all who have decided to join us!
WE ARE NOW SOLD OUT
A Not So Serious Film Event
Join us for some SWEET FUN and a FILM
Enjoy freshly baked Bagels, Basboussas and Croissants during intermission – totally Kosher, Halal and French.
Sunday afternoon February 24th, 2019 – 2pm
Jewish Community Center, Weller St at Medical Dr.
Tickets reserved in advance: $12
email helene_thibert@hotmail.com to reserve tickets & for information
$15 at the door
This event is a fundraiser towards our annual Abraham Festival on Sunday April 28th 2019. Details of the festival and tickets available soon.
Bagels by N’Able Bagel JCC Bagel Club
Basboussas (Middle Eastern cakes)
Croissants
The Story of N’Able Bagel
Joe Teichman has an autistic son, he wants him and other special needs adults to have purpose and dignity so he did something about it and changed their lives. Full blog and story on www.michelleferreri.com
Join Us For An Afternoon Movie
The ReFrame Film Festival is one of the cultural highlights in Peterborough and The Abraham Festival is honoured to have been a sponsor over the last four years.
For tickets and additional information please go to reframefilmfestival.ca
Please join us!
It’s FILM NIGHT at the Synagogue
At Abraham Festival, we love Movie nights!
It’s a wonderful opportunity to present thought provoking content for the entire family.
Our focus is always about humanity and bringing our members closer together.
Be a part of this wonderful evening.
Join Us for a Movie & Soup Afternoon
Come out and enjoy some delicious hot soup, bread, great company and an awesome film!
Sunday, February 4th, 2018 – 3 pm, at the Jewish Community Centre, 775 Weller Street, Peterborough.
Movie starts at 3:00 pm, followed by Soup & Social
Cover Charge for movie and soup: $12
(Fundraiser for the 15th Annual Abraham Festival, 2018)
The Sultan and the Saint tells one of the great lost stories from history. It is a story of two men of faith, Francis of Assisi, a would-be knight turned itinerant Christian preacher and the Sultan of Egypt, a forgotten Muslim prince steeped in Islamic learning by his mother and raised in the palace, and their meeting on a bloody battlefield during the Christian-Muslim conflict known as the Crusades. This is the story of their meeting that bucked a century of war, distrust and insidious propaganda in search of genuine mutual respect and common ground – and changes history.
RECOMMENDED: Free Men Movie
Free Men
A 2011 French film written and directed by Ismaël Ferroukhi, which recounts the largely untold story of the role that Algerian and other North African Muslims in Paris played in the French resistance and as rescuers of Jews during the German occupation – 1940–1944.
Rotten Tomatos
In German-occupied Paris, a young unemployed Algerian named Younes (played by break-out star, Tahar Rahim) earns his living as a black marketeer. Arrested by the French police but given a chance to avoid jail, Younes agrees to spy on the Paris Mosque. The police suspect the Mosque authorities, including its rector Ben Ghabrit, of aiding Muslim Resistance agents and helping North African Jews by giving them false certificates. At the Mosque, Younes meets the Algerian singer Salim Halali, and is moved by Salim’s beautiful voice and strong personality. When Younes discovers that Salim is Jewish, he stops collaborating with the police and gradually transforms from a politically ignorant immigrant into a fully-fledged freedom fighter. — (C) Film Movement
Free Men offers a pleasing historical escape via a story of everyone setting aside religious, colonial, and ethnic divides to unite against the Nazis.
Alison Willmore
AV Club
EVENT: Film Night September 26th!
The Abraham Festival tries to fulfill its mandate to reach out to all in the community, in many ways, that we “may get to know each other”. One of the most effective is through film. For some time we have been showing films, on an occasional basis, touching on the issues relevant to our mission. The films take place at Beth Israel synagogue on Weller St. The next film will be presented on Tuesday September 26th at 7 p.m. We are happy to be able to co-sponsor this film, Mightier than the Sword with a like-minded local organization, Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan. We will be cooperating on everything from hosting to sharing delicious refreshments together, and we invite you to join us for a fun and informative evening!
Abraham Festival and CW4WAfghan present:
Mightier than the Sword
A 45 minute documentary in which filmmaker Roberta Staley explores how young female journalists in Afghanistan are fighting for the right of Afghan women to live and work without abuse and harassment. Mightier than the Sword also shows the West that, despite widespread criticism over military involvement in Afghanistan since 9/11 and deep regret over lives lost, the collective sacrifice has resulted in positive change. The steps towards a more equitable society that is embracing liberal democratic values may be small, but they are steps in the right direction.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2017
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Film showing at 7 p.m.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
775 WELLER STREET
No charge for admission but donations appreciated.
Join us to learn more about present day Afghanistan. There will be time to ask questions and to enjoy refreshments following the film.
Needlework from Afghanistan will be on sale and the newest edition of Deborah Ellis’ book “The Breadwinner” with illustrations from the animated film which is soon to be released.
Abraham Festival 2017
The Abraham Festival 2017
The AF actually started long before the date of the actual Festival. There was a lot of planning and meeting and organizing, sharing, laughing and listening.
Each meeting started off with a moment of reflection and prayer shared by each of the faiths represented, Muslim, Jewish and Christian. Each person had a voice and took various roles to pull together the many aspects of this year’s festival. We each volunteered our talents to creating a meaningful event, from sketching set up, to selling tickets, picking up and delivering equipment, timing and decorating.
It started with imagination, “wouldn’t it be nice if…” and in this case it was to have the Three Interfaith Amigos come to Peterborough to be the main even, the focus speakers pulling together everything the AF stands for.
And it meant doing the festival differently from years past. This year the entire festival would be on one day. In the past Friday was scheduled with Juma prayers at Sir Sandford College, followed by the Friday night Sabat prayers at the synagogue and then a Sunday service at a Christian church. This year the entire festival would be held on Sunday afternoon and evening.
For the planning committee, the culmination of planning and visioning work began on Friday night. Everyone had a timetable and role to set up the kitchen, the main hall, the chairs, the sound system, the pick up and delivery of our main speakers, and by 6 pm Friday night everything was ready. The empty halls were set up and decorated with artistic flair to receive the food for the potluck supper, and to host the interfaith celebration which included not only input from our 3 faiths but included drumming from our First Nations Elder to open the festival.
Sunday afternoon the committee and extra volunteers were ready to host the community of Peterborough and surrounding areas to come together to celebrate and feast together sharing food, ideas and hope as community.
From my perspective, working in the kitchen, setting out the food so generously provided by the very people who would come and eat, ushering and serving people as they arrived, to getting the kitchen ready for the clean up, and cleaning up the space, there was an energy of giving and receiving, an energy of anticipation to hear our 3 main speakers, an energy of connection, sharing and openness.
As chairs filled the auditorium, anxieties were soothed knowing there would be ample room and a good crowd for the events. The opening celebration included song, prayers, thoughts from representatives of the 3 faiths and ended with a rousing chorus of Leonard Cohen’s Halleluiah! People were humming it as they came in to take part in what turned out to be a feast of healthy and delicious food!
After the meal, the Three Interfaith Amigos were introduced. The organizing and willingness of committee members families to make the trip from Toronto and get our guests to the Mount Community Centre on time was another example of willingness and planning. I was able to sit for intervals between washing dishes and packing up food to experience the message of these dynamic and down to earth me..
I was so moved to be able to hear Rabbi Don. Before he spoke, he walked over to our First Nations Elder Dorothy and asked for her blessing to share his teachings on her territory! Mutual respect. I get goose bumps remembering it.
Time was planned for questions at the end of the festival and this was well received and stimulated wonderful discussion.
For more photos from the Festival, please go to our Gallery
