The TOU is a leader in the growing field of Interfaith Education.

Our programs address the new challenges of an interconnected, global society by advancing an innovative model of interfaith education. The experiential approach of our work goes beyond
a static “lecture hall” model to include site visits, service learning, and immersion experiences in many traditions
and cultures.

Our programs integrate religious literacy with cross-cultural understanding for seminarians, service providers, educators, business personnel, and the lay person.        

Our Adult Programs Include:

Religious Diversity Series
 
 
 

The New York metro area - a colorful mosaic of religions,
cultures, and communities - is one of the best places in
the world to encounter a stunning array of religious traditions and practices.

To this end, the Temple of Understanding, a leader in interfaith education for the last 48 years, partners
with other institutions, East West Living for instance, to present Religious Diversity: Interfaith Perspectives,
an Interfaith Weekend Immersion Program. Our program utilizes the rich diversity within New York City to educate and create awareness of religious issues, traditions and perspectives and heighten the conversation across the borders of communal understanding. The Weekend Immersion program is specially designed for the busy New Yorker who is interested in learning more about their neighbors of different faith traditions and cultures. Dates and Program Fees TBA.

Lecture Series

Faith In Action is an ongoing lecture series that features an exploration of the many
facets of religious experience. Past topics have included:

 


 

 

  • Women in Leadership: Religion, Vocation and Identity
  • The Muslim Experience in New York: The Faith Club: a Muslim,
    a Christian, a Jew-Three Women Searching for Understanding
  • In Celebration of Rumi: An Evening with Coleman Barks.

Collaborations

Consultation for Interfaith Education (CIE) was formed by TOU in 2002, a result of our commitment to advancing the field of interfaith education. This consortium of 12  religious and interfaith organizations facilitates network building among interfaith educators and provides opportunities for collaboration on methodologies and curricular issues. Past activities include sponsorship of international and domestic conferences and monthly meetings. The CIE also provides a forum for speakers on faith-related subjects and serves as a clearing house for interfaith educational resources. See www.globalinterfaithed.org for more information.
 


Interfaith Experience, launched in 2007 and co-sponsored with the Rubin Museum of Art, is a monthly program designed for young adults that offers grounding in the practices and history of cultures and religions. In addition,
the interplay of religion and work-life are explored within the context of
specific traditions. http://theinterfaithexperience.blogspot.com

Welcoming the Stranger is a retreat that brings together leaders and active members of different religious traditions to experience authentic engagement
with each other and learn dialogic skills from experienced facilitators. Held at Miriam’s Well in Saugerties, New York, participants have an opportunity to share their stories and rituals, transforming each other from strangers into friends, bringing new insights on interfaith understanding to their respective communities.