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IAP 2012 Activities by Category

Religion and Ethics

"The Invulnerable Fortress" - Sanctuary in Prayer
Suheil Laher
Mon Jan 9, 06-07:00pm, 1-134

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up

It is said that God inspired John, the son of Zechariah, to command the Children of Israel to “remember God, for the likeness thereof is the likeness of a man who is swiftly pursued by an enemy, until he reaches an invulnerable fortress in which he secures himself. So, too, the servant [of God] will not secure himself from Satan except through remembrance of God.”
Prayer provides refuge, and emotional and responsive help to many. Ibn al-Jazari (d. 1429 CE) named his compilation of Islamic supplications "The Invulnerable Fortress," and found spiritual refuge in it from a bleak situation.

We shall look at the opening section of this book, which provides an overview and insights into prayer and supplication in Islam, and also at a selection of particularly beautiful prayers from it (all in English translation).
Contact: Suheil Laher, (617) 448-6361, msa_imam@mit.edu
Sponsor: Muslim Chaplaincy

Being a Mensch: What Jewish Tradition Says about Manhood
Reb Philip Sherman
Tue Jan 17, 24, 12-01:00pm, W11 - SmallDr Room

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Repeating event. Participants welcome at any session

Want a deeper understanding of how to be a mensch? Join us as we explore manhood through Jewish ethics and values. This two session class requires no prior Jewish knowledge.

Classes will be held in the Small Dining Room in W11
Contact: Reb Philip Sherman, W11, psherman@mit.edu
Sponsor: Hillel

Explore Synagogues around MIT
Ruthi Hortsch
No limit but advance sign up required (see contact below)
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)

Explore some of the local congregations around MIT. We are planning on going to some Friday services and would love some company! We tried to put some diversity into the types of congregations being visited; all are egalitarian. Please invite anyone else who might be interested, Feel free to show up for all trips or only a subset.
Contact: Ruthi Hortsch, rhortsch@MIT.EDU
Sponsor: Hillel

Temple Ohabei Shalom
Ruthi Hortsch
Temple Ohabei Shalom (Reform, in Brookline, oldest congregation in MA, 2 mi from W11). Services start at 6pm
Fri Jan 20, 05-08:00pm, Leaving from W11

Havurat Shalom
Ruthi Hortsch
Havurat Shalom (nondenominational chavurah, near Davis Square, 3.6 mi from W11). Services start at 6:30pm
Fri Jan 27, 05:30-08:30pm, Leaving from W11

Eitz Chayim
Ruthi Hortsch
Eitz Chayim (nondenominational, in Cambridgeport, 1.3 mi from W11).
Services start at 7pm
Fri Feb 3, 06-08:00pm, Leaving from W11

Islam 101
Suheil Laher, Ahmed Rashed
Thu Jan 12, 06-07:30pm, 1-277

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up

- Is Islam a religion of peace, as former-President Bush declared after 9/11?
- What is the Muslims' concept of God? The afterlife?
- Who was the Prophet Muhammad?
- What do Muslims say about Moses? Jesus?
- What are the 5 pillars of Islamic practice (devotion)?
- What is the Shariah?

An opportunity to see beyond common misconceptions and negative media coverage.and to learn first hand about the beliefs and practices that characterize the vibrant, fourteen-century-old faith professed by over a billion people worldwide.

Bring all your questions, there will be time for discussion!
Contact: Suheil Laher, msa_imam@mit.edu
Sponsor: Muslim Chaplaincy

Islamic Theology
Suheil Laher
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)

Why do we exist? What happens after death?
A theology is a worldview that answers these questions. This series (3 lectures with Q&A) explains the core concepts of Muslim theology: Belief in God, Revelation and Afterlife. It is suitable both for non-Muslims, who seek insight into this, and Muslims, who want a more detailed understanding or review. Other topics include: Reason and Faith, Resurrection, Destiny & Free Will.
Contact: Suheil Laher, W11, (617) 448-6361, msa_imam@mit.edu
Sponsor: Muslim Chaplaincy

Concept of God
Suheil Laher
This session focuses on the first and most important core belief: belief in God (Allah). We will start with an overview of Islam, and some other preliminaries, including the role of reason in Islam, then move on to talk about the existence of God and God's attributes.
Wed Jan 18, 06-07:30pm, 1-132

Scripture and Prophethood
Suheil Laher
This session discusses the Attributes of God, and also touches on the concept of human free will. We then go on to the second core belief of Islam: the belief in prophets as mortal human beings who conveyed God's guidance to mankind. We also talk about books (scriptures) which some of these prophets received from God.
Mon Jan 23, 06-07:30pm, 1-132

Eternity
Suheil Laher
The final session in the series wraps up the belief in Prophethood and Scripture, then turns to explore Muslim belief in the life after death, including concepts of the soul, human responsibility, and judgment.
Wed Jan 25, 06-07:30pm, 1-132

Out (or Not) in Communities of Faith
Abigail Francis
Tue Jan 24, 06-08:00pm, W11 Main Dining Room

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event

Is it possible to maintain your LBGTQ identity or to identify as an LBGTQ ally and still be welcomed in your faith tradition? What is it like to be Muslim, Jewish, or Christian and also Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender, and/or Queer? Join us for a panel discussion about the complexities of living fully in one’s own sexual identity, gender identity, and faith. Light kosher dinner provided. All are welcome.
Contact: Abigail Francis, 50-005, x3-0684, afran@mit.edu
Sponsor: LBGT@MIT
Cosponsor: Hillel

Techno-Kosher
Rabbi Gershon Segal
Mon Jan 23, Wed Feb 1, 05-06:00pm, W11 Comm. Dining Rm.

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Repeating event. Participants welcome at any session

This series will explore how modern day kosher certification, which is relevant to the majority of food products on the shelves of today's grocery store, intersects with modern day food technology such as courses 5, 6-1, and 7. Among the contemporary issues to be discussed are the processes involved in the producing of flavors, enzymes, dairy cultures, chemicals, genetically engineered products, chocolate and the baked goods. Also, how mechanized nature of food manufacturing equipment relates to kosher productions. Meets in W-11,5pm -6pm on January 23rd and and February 1st.
Contact: Rabbi Gershon Segal, W11, rabbisegal@gmail.com
Sponsor: Hillel

The Reason for God - Free Dinner and Discussion
Ron Perez, Chris Swanson
No limit but advance sign up required (see contact below)
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)

Free dinner and discussion on some challenging questions about God and Christianity. Come for some free food and some great discussion.
Contact: Ron Perez, ronperez@mit.edu
Sponsor: Campus Crusade for Christ

Isn't the Bible a Myth? Doesn't Science disprove Christianity?
Ron Perez, Chris Swanson
Meet in the Senior Lecture Hall, which is right off the main lobby of Maseeh. Someone will be there to let you in. Text 210-367-8125 if you can't get in.
Wed Jan 18, 05:30-07:00pm, Maseeh Hall, Senior Lecture Hall

How can you say there is only one way to God? What about other religions?
Ron Perez, Chris Swanson
Meet in the Senior Lecture Hall, which is right off the main lobby of Maseeh. Someone will be there to let you in. Text 210-367-8125 if you can't get in.
Thu Jan 19, 05:30-07:00pm, Maseeh Hall, Senior Lecture Hall

Why does God allow Suffering? Why is there so much evil in the world?
Ron Perez, Chris Swanson
Meet in the Senior Lecture Hall, which is right off the main lobby of Maseeh. Someone will be there to let you in. Text 210-367-8125 if you can't get in.
Tue Jan 24, 05:30-07:00pm, Maseeh Hall, Senior Lecture Hall

Why is the church responsible for so much injustice? Why are Christians such hypocrites?
Ron Perez, Chris Swanson
Meet in the Senior Lecture Hall, which is right off the main lobby of Maseeh. Someone will be there to let you in. Text 210-367-8125 if you can't get in.
Wed Jan 25, 05:30-07:00pm, Maseeh Hall, Senior Lecture Hall

How can God be full of love and wrath at the same time? How can God send people to hell?
Ron Perez, Chris Swanson
Meet in the Senior Lecture Hall, which is right off the main lobby of Maseeh. Someone will be there to let you in. Text 210-367-8125 if you can't get in.
Thu Jan 26, 05:30-07:00pm, Maseeh Hall, Senior Lecture Hall


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Last update: 7 Sept. 2011