Living Our Beliefs: Exploring Faith & Religion in Daily Life

New Land, New Religious Experiences? (part 2) – Judith Pajo, Zeyneb Sayilgan and Meli Solomon

Episode 101. This is the second part of my discussion with Judith Pajo and Zeyneb Sayilgan about living our faiths in America and Germany. While we have all lived in both countries, we practice different faiths, representing the three Abrahamic religions––Judaism, Christianity, and Islam respectively.  In the first part released on 12 June, we discussed our backgrounds, immigration patterns, religious identity and the dynamic of universalism and particularism. In this part, we continue the conversation about the universal and the particular, the problem with identity boxes, and the value or challenge of diversity, before shifting to the issues of the abuse of religion in national efforts to claim power. Bio for Judith:Judith Pajo, PhD, grew up in both Germany and the United States. She studied Catholic theology and cultural anthropology on both sides of the Atlantic and has been teaching at Pace University in New York City. Her new research on interfaith dialogue among Jews, Christians, and Muslims in Europe and North America, conceived a little over a year ago, is transforming her Catholic faith. She is currently working on an article about cultural transgressions in interfaith work. Judith lives in Queens, NY. Links for Judith: Profile at Pace University LinkedIn – Judith Pajo Bio for Zeyneb:Zeyneb Sayilgan, PhD, is the Muslim Scholar at ICJS, The Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies in Baltimore, where her research focuses on Islamic theology and spirituality as articulated in the writings of Muslim scholar Bediüzzaman Said Nursi (1876-1960). She is the host of the Podcast On Being Muslim. You can read her publications on her blog.Links for Zeyneb: On Being Muslim podcastZeyneb’s blogICJS website – www.icjs.orgTranscript on BuzzsproutMore episodes about living abroad:Daniel Stein Kokin 'Reinterpreting Jewish Liturgy'Oliver Bradley 'A Jew in Germany'Social Media and other links for Méli:Website – the Talking with God ProjectMeli’s emailLinkedIn – Meli SolomonFacebook – Meli SolomonFollow the podcast!The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project.

New Land, New Religious Experience? (part 1) – Judith Pajo, Zeyneb Sayilgan and Meli Solomon

Episode 100.   For this episode, I’ve invited two women, Judith Pajo and Zeyneb Sayilgan, for a group discussion about living our faiths in America and Germany. We each have unique patterns of immigration in addition to different religious identities and practice. Judith grew up in both countries as a Catholic, Zeyneb likewise grew up in Germany and is a lifelong Muslim, while I grew up in the US and lived in Germany for nearly nine years, having become a practicing Jew as an adult. In comparing our unique religious experiences in these two countries, we found engaging layers of issues that we hope to further explore.   A small note. Because this conversation was so extensive, I’ve divided it into two episodes of approximately 30 minutes each. This first part includes discussion of our background, religious identity and the dynamic of universalism and individuality. Part two will be released in two weeks. Bio for Judith:Judith Pajo, PhD, grew up in both Germany and the United States. She studied Catholic theology and cultural anthropology on both sides of the Atlantic and has been teaching at Pace University in New York City. Her new research on interfaith dialogue among Jews, Christians, and Muslims in Europe and North America, conceived a little over a year ago, is transforming her Catholic faith. She is currently working on an article about cultural transgressions in interfaith work. Judith lives in Queens, NY. Links for Judith: Profile at Pace University LinkedIn – Judith Pajo Bio for Zeyneb:Zeyneb Sayilgan, PhD, is the Muslim Scholar at ICJS, The Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies in Baltimore, where her research focuses on Islamic theology and spirituality as articulated in the writings of Muslim scholar Bediüzzaman Said Nursi (1876-1960). She is the host of the Podcast On Being Muslim. You can read her publications on her blog.Links for Zeyneb: On Being Muslim podcastZeyneb’s blogICJS website – www.icjs.orgTranscript on BuzzsproutMore episodes about living abroad:Daniel Stein Kokin 'Reinterpreting Jewish Liturgy'Oliver Bradley 'A Jew in Germany'Social Media and other links for Méli:Website – the Talking with God ProjectMeli’s emailLinkedIn – Meli SolomonFacebook – Meli SolomonFollow the podcast!The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project.

Bonus. Building Trust Across Faiths (Lindsay Simmonds and Julie Siddiqi)

Episode 99. Bonus  For this Bonus episode, I’ve invited two British women, Lindsay Simmonds and Julie Siddiqi, both PhDs, to talk about their interfaith friendship and the public facing work they’ve done since Hamas’ attack on Israel on 7 Oct. 2023. Lindsay is an Orthodox Jew and Julie is Muslim. The fact of their religious identities and deep practice is noteworthy and relevant, as the attack and subsequent war, have proven polarizing, straining the already challenging work of bridging religious differences between Jews and Muslims. Lindsay and Julie offer an inspiring example of possibility, showing us the path to connection, communication, and healing, while not shying away from the challenges. Given the long standing and apparent intransigence of the conflict, this seemed a good time for some hope.Highlights: Intersection of deep faith practice and interfaith work.Organizing inclusive events amidst tension.Impact and significance of their work.The role of space, gender, and representation.Trivializing women's impactful initiatives.Sustaining hope and setting intentions for the future. Bios:  Dr. Lindsay Simmonds is a Research Fellow at the London School of Jewish Studies (LSJS) where she has lectured for 20+ years. She recently worked as a Researcher at the London School of Economics (LSE), UK, working on Women of Faith and Peacebuilding.Lindsay is very active in local interfaith work. She has five adult children and five grandchildren, and she promotes women's participation in her local orthodox Jewish community in London. Dr. Julie Siddiqi MBE is a mentor, consultant and gender equality campaigner with a focus on interfaith relations, applying that to social work. She has 25+ years of experience in community work predominantly in the Muslim community as well as in interfaith work. Julie is a qualified Life Coach. She was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List of 2020 and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Middlesex. She chose Islam in 1995 and is married with four children. Other episodes:Raphael Luzon Building Peace Through Interfaith DialogueLindsay Simmonds Honoring and Challenging Jewish Orthodoxy Links for Lindsay:  London School of Jewish Studies (LSJS)LSE, Religion and Global Society UnitAbraham Initiatives, UK Council of Christians & Jews Links for Julie: Together We ThriveTranscript on BuzzsproutLinks for Méli:Website – the Talking with God ProjectMeli’s emailLinkedIn – Meli SolomonFacebook – Meli SolomonFollow the podcast!The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project.

How Faith Can Evolve Through Change – Aaron Solberg

Episode 98.  (replay of Episode 78)Over the last two episodes with Judith Pajo and Zeyneb Sayilgan, we’ve talked quite a bit about faith challenges and dealing with changes in life that impact religious practice. Those changes have included moving country. With that in mind, I wanted to replay an episode from 2024 that addresses these themes among others. Aaron Solberg was raised in an Orthodox Jewish home in New York. As a young adult, he traversed several spiritual thresholds, eventually converting to Christianity. He is now a minister in the Anglican church. He has also traded in the city for the remote wilderness of Canada. In this conversation, he describes the path he’s traveled and the challenges he continues to face. While his story is unique and unusual, I believe the threads that run through it will find resonance. He offers reminders that challenges are a part of life, and that walking the path and remembering, even cherishing, your past remains with you. Highlights: Jewish practice seen as "legalistic," leading to feelings of obligation and guilt.Importance of structure and discipline.Appreciation for communal aspects of both Jewish and Christian services.Shift from fear-based obedience to love-driven practices in Christianity.Human struggle with discipline and imperfection.Bio:Father Aaron Solberg is an Anglican priest, composer, husband, and father living in the Canadian North. A convert from Judaism, he originally worked as a conductor and cellist in Germany before feeling a calling to ministry. After studying theology, he served in Baker Lake, Nunavut, (in the Canadian Arctic) and now leads St. John's Anglican Church in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories. He is the father of two young boys and writes about family life and faith, fostering a deeper understanding of spirituality within his community. In his free time, he focuses on writing and composing new music for various ensembles. Transcript on BuzzsproutMore episodes with converts:Katrina KincadeRabbi Tara FeldmanJeanne BlasbergSocial Media and other links for Aaron: Website – www.thesolbergs.family Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/theanglicanfamily/Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/theanglicanfamilyTikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@theanglicanfamily Transcript on BuzzsproutSocial Media and other links for Méli:Website – the Talking with God ProjectMeli’s emailLinkedIn – Meli SolomonFacebook – Meli SolomonFollow the podcast!The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project.

Grief as a Sacred Opening – Zeyneb Sayilgan

Episode 97.  Burying a child is an unimaginable trauma that no parent should have to face. My guest today, Zeyneb Sayilgan, has sadly needed to endure that pain and grief twice. Through it all, her Muslim faith has sustained her and provided a path for healing. She has joined me to talk about her experience of loss and subsequent growth, as well as the related Islamic beliefs about death and the afterlife. We also touch on where the beliefs are similar to those in Judaism. Zeyneb brings both personal experience and knowledge to this complex topic. Highlights: Zeyneb’s personal religious and cultural backgroundEngagement with death in the Muslim communityComparison of death practices and attitudes in different countriesParallels and differences with Jewish and Christian practicesDetailed overview of Islamic funeral practicesCommunity healing through griefLife's value: time and eternityBio:   Zeyneb Sayilgan, Ph.D., is the Muslim Scholar at ICJS, The Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies in Baltimore, where her research focuses on Islamic theology and spirituality as articulated in the writings of Muslim scholar Bediüzzaman Said Nursi (1876-1960). She is the host of the Podcast On Being Muslim. You can read her publications on her blog.References:https://religionnews.com/2024/05/15/what-the-dead-teach-us-about-life-a-view-from-islams-last-rites/https://uscatholic.org/articles/202410/what-catholics-can-learn-from-muhammad-about-grief/https://muslimmatters.org/2024/12/13/death-the-greatest-teacher/ Social Media and other links for Zeyneb:  On Being Muslim podcastZeyneb’s blogICJS website – www.icjs.orgSuggested episodes on Living Our Beliefs:Elissa Felder episode Bonus episode on TaharaTranscript on BuzzsproutSocial Media and other links for Méli:Website – the Talking with God ProjectMeli’s emailLinkedIn – Meli SolomonFacebook – Meli SolomonFollow the podcast! The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project.