2024 September Newsletter | | |
Faith in Community: Celebrating Unity in Metropolitan Detroit |
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InterFaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit Board of Directors
Retired from University of Detroit Mercy as Medical Director of their Physician Assistant Program, and an Affiliate Professor
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Bridging the Healthcare Divide: Advancing Equity Through Advocacy
Despite having advanced technology and spending more on healthcare than any other country, the United States still faces the worst outcomes among developed nations in life expectancy, infant, and maternal mortality. Our healthcare system prioritizes treatment over prevention, leading to inequities, inefficiencies, and a focus on profit over care.
The Interfaith Leadership Council is advocating for health equity and systemic change through the Interfaith Health Equity Partnership. By uniting diverse communities and faith traditions, we aim to bridge healthcare gaps and work toward a healthier, more equitable future for all. Together, we can make a difference, one step at a time.
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Are Our Children Sacred
to Us Today?
If an outsider observed our actions, would they believe we value children as our future? With 14.5 million children living in poverty and guns now a leading cause of accidental child deaths, reality paints a grim picture. How can we claim to care for children when so many lack the basic resources for survival and safety?
Join psychiatrist Saba Maroof and Bob Bruttell for a thought-provoking discussion on what it really means to protect and nourish all children, not just those in privileged communities.
We invite you to listen to Faith and Works Episode 13:
Are Our Children Sacred Today?
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New Podcast Episode Arriving Soon! | |
UPCOMING PROGRAM!
Immerse yourself in the spiritual landscapes of Buddhism and Hinduism with a day of learning and connection as you gain a deeper understanding of Eastern faiths on our interfaith bus tour!
Join us for a day exploring Buddhism and Hinduism, starting at St. John's Episcopal Church in Royal Oak. We'll visit the Midwest Buddhist Meditation Center in Warren, enjoy lunch,
and then tour the Bharatiya Hindu Temple in Troy.
Friday, September 27th 2024,
9:30 AM-3:00 PM
Don't miss this amazing opportunity!
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Retired professor of humanities, Macomb Community College | |
Education Committee
Member Highlight
Joining the Interfaith Leadership Council (IFLC) Education Committee feels like a natural progression in my journey as an educator in world religions. With a career dedicated to bridging divides through understanding, this role aligns perfectly with my passion for reducing fear and prejudice by celebrating our shared humanity. As a lifelong member of the Baha’i Faith, unity is central to my work, and the IFLC's commitment to fostering relationships across Metro Detroit's diverse communities resonates deeply with me. Through immersive, sensory-rich educational experiences, I hope to continue creating spaces where learning leads to friendship, mutual respect, and a more peaceful society.
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Join Our Exclusive Movie Screening!
Join us on Monday September 23rd at the West Bloomfield Public Library for an exclusive screening of a powerful new film, UNDIVIDE US, that delves into the toxic polarization felt across our country and strives to find ways to reconnect and cross divides.
An engaging community discussion will follow the film. Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage together.
This event is not to be missed!
Seats are going fast!
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Interfaith Health Equity Partnership | |
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Interfaith Health Equity Partnership Committee Member Highlight
As a passionate advocate for equitable healthcare, our highlighted committee member draws from a distinguished career in high-risk obstetrics to help prospective parents safely navigate pregnancy and ensure newborns have the healthiest start in life.
His work with the Interfaith Health Equity Partnership Committee emphasizes the need for universal healthcare, reproductive choice, and addressing the diverse needs of faith communities.
Discover how his mission aligns with the IFLC vision of fostering belonging across differences.
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InterFaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit Board of Directors
Retired High-Risk Obstetrician
from Beaumont Health
Co-Chair of the Michigan Interfaith
Coalition for Reproductive Rights
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Maternal and Infant Health Advancement | |
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Summer Reflections and Upcoming Events
As summer wraps up, the InterFaith Leadership Council reflects on our Maternal Infant Health Advancement presentations, with thanks to the many faith communities for their warm welcome in August. Each host helped us connect families to vital maternal and infant health resources, and we celebrated National Black Breastfeeding Week together.
Join us for our final presentation on Wednesday, September 18th at IONA Youth Center. Explore our resource library for more educational materials. We hope to see you there!
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As part of our initiative, Maternal Infant Health Advancement, “Bridging the Gaps Where We Belong”, a program that is made possible with grant funding from Southeast Michigan Perinatal Quality Improvement Coalition , Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and United Way for Southeastern Michigan; We believe that Detroit and the surrounding communities can greatly benefit from this initiative, empowering individuals with knowledge and tools to take proactive steps towards their health and well-being.
Access to reliable health information and resources remains a significant barrier in many communities, particularly in the realms of maternal health and chronic conditions like hypertension, which disproportionately affect BIPOC communities and underserved populations.
The Prenatal and Postnatal Care Resource Library is live now, and was created to equip expectant mothers and community health advocates with crucial information to ensure healthier pregnancy outcomes.
Whether preparing for a baby's arrival or adjusting to early parenthood, this library aims to enlighten, empower and support anyone with knowledge towards a healthier birth.
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Religious Diversity Journeys | |
From Curiosity to Compassion:
How Seventh Graders
Grow Through Interfaith Education
Each year, seventh graders from across Metro Detroit participate in the Religious Diversity Journeys program, transforming their curiosity into deep compassion. With visits to synagogues, mosques, churches, gurdwaras, temples, and cultural institutions, students explore different faiths and cultures firsthand. Their journey complements Michigan’s World Religions curriculum, bringing classroom lessons to life with immersive, interactive experiences. From curiosity-filled questions to moments of shared understanding, these students walk away empowered to build bridges and foster belonging within their schools and communities.
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