Temple Beth El Presents its Fifteenth Annual Comparative Religion Series

"One God? Yours or Mine…A Provocative Look at the Concept of God"

Tuesday Evenings January 10 – February 21, 2012

Temple Beth El

As we bid farewell to 2011 and welcome 2012, we are inclined to review the events which mark this passage of time. We may find that we have questions about God as we begin to look for guidance to face the challenges of the coming year. Does God exist?Are there differences of theological opinion within your faith?Are there common beliefs about God that are shared by all faiths?This winter we can help you find answers to these compelling questions.

The public is invited to join us at Temple Beth El (5101 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28226) for our 15^th Annual Comparative Religion Series.Sessions will run from 7:00 to 9:00 PM on six successive Tuesday evenings, starting January 10, 2012.Religious and education leaders will offer their perspectives, and respond to your questions, on the topic "One God?Yours or Mine … a Provocative Look at the Concept of God."

·January 10: Rabbi Judy Schindler, Temple Beth El and Rabbi Chanoch Oppenheim of the Charlotte Torah Center  – Welcome and Overview – Jewish perspective

·January 17: President John Barringer of the Charlotte South Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Mormon perspective

·January 24: Imam John Ederer, Muslim American Society of Charlotte – Islamic perspective

·January 31: Reverend James Howell, Myers Park First United Methodist Church – Protestant perspective

·February 7: Father Patrick Earl, S.J., Saint Peter's Catholic Church – Catholic perspective

·February 14: Ms. Marcy Braverman Goldstein, PhD, Department of Religious Studies, UNC Charlotte – Hinduism, a scholar's perspective

·February 21: Snow date

This year's program has been planned by the Temple Beth El Comparative Religion Committee and sponsored through partnership with the Temple Beth El Sisterhood. Temple Beth El's Rabbi, Judy Schindler, will provide anilluminating introduction to the Series on January 10^th which will deepen our understanding of the course of study for the remaining weeks of the Series.

Hillel, one of the most important figures in Jewish history, renowned within Judaism as a sage and a scholar, reminds us of the importance of continually educating ourselves: "Say not , when I have leisure I will study; for you may never have leisure." – Pirkei Avot 2:4

The annual Comparative Religion Series was established fifteen years ago with the intent to educate our community, promote understanding and respect of all faiths, and reveal the commonalities in our differences.

For more information, please visit www.beth-el.com or call Temple Beth El at 704-366-1948.