The Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga will host the first Faith In Chattanooga program on Monday, May 4 at 7 p.m. at the Jewish Cultural Center, 5461 North Terrace Road. There is no cost to attend. The series will continue throughout the year at various locations.
Faith In Chattanooga is a collaboration between non-clergy Chattanooga residents of different faiths, a commoners bottom-up approach. The evening’s format will begin with each person taking five minutes to self-introduce and to talk about living in Chattanooga with their faith. The second half of the program would be questions from the audience. Charles Neal, moderator, will “set the ground rules” to insure a few things: Questions only (no comments), respectful of each other, etc. At the end, he will conclude the evening with a few remarks about the next gathering. Five faiths will be represented: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Atheism.
Participants include:
Charles Neal, Event Moderator. Length of stay in Chattanooga 25 years. Faith: Christian Minister Emeritus at First-Centenary United Methodist Church
David Cook. Born and raised in Chattanooga. Faith: Christian.
Sudha Srinivasan. Length of stay in Chattanooga12+ years. Faith: Hinduism
Brandon R. Jones. Length of stay in Chattanooga 28 years. Faith: Atheist
Nur Sisworahardjo: Length in Chattanooga 5 years, in the US 17 years. Faith: Islam
Michael Dzik. Born and raised in Chattanooga. Faith: Judaism.
Over the past several years the Jewish Federation has hosted interfaith panels of spiritual leaders on specific topics, and intrafaith Rabbinic panels. These panels have focused on specific topics such as prayer and forgiveness as interpreted by clergy from various backgrounds. Faith in Chattanooga was created to encourage diversity without dogma, allowing for greater conversation among Chattanooga’s residents.
The Jewish Cultural Center, funded by the Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga, offers programs, classes, and exhibits; social services; and a preschool—all rooted in Jewish values. The facility enables the Jewish community to raise its visibly, foster relationships, and strengthen its identity in the Chattanooga area. Located at 5461 North Terrace, the center and its programs are open to everyone regardless of religious affiliation.