CRSL Newsletter
October 20, 2021
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Dear Friends,
Before fall break in our Sandwiches and Soul Friday lunch program in the Helen Hills Hills Chapel sanctuary, we discussed the topic of masks. We all agreed that it was something about which we should have an intentional conversation about.
Over lunch we discussed the differences in people's comfort level around health and safety, as well as people's actual differing needs with respect to physical vulnerability and real threats to health and well-being. We talked about the political divisions that masks have come to now represent.
We talked about the loss of beloved activities such as singing together, or gathering with strangers in a festive space. We enjoyed the irony, however that eating afforded us some flexibility/mask less moments as per the CIRT guidelines on dining practices. As bans have lifted and there have been palpable signs of relief, there is still the shadow of what has been traumatic to some and devastating to others, disruptive to all of us to greater and lesser degrees. The ongoing uncertainty that this pandemic has conferred upon our lives continues as we try to gauge the guidelines and measures that the Delta Variant requires.
I have seen my colleagues working so hard these last 18 months to rearrange, pivot and adapt, and keep people safe. A great deal of this labor is hidden from most of us, but I know that as a community, we also have an appreciation of it, just as we have an appreciation for how those who work on various “front lines” may have not been afforded the same cautions as others of us in the height of the pandemic. As we know all too well, Covid has had a vastly disparate effect on those in low wage and factory jobs, and in poor communities where precautions are harder to accommodate, and good medical care much less accessible.
The uncertainty persists. The guidelines on campus can sometimes be confounding, and speaking for myself I often find myself saying, “wait—I’m close to others but I’m outside, do I mask?" Or “do we have to mask if we are socially distanced?” It occurs to me though, that as hard as this uncertainty is, and despite that it is hard for many of us to not know what is coming next, it is an opportunity to be more united as a community across staff, faculty, and students.
In times of uncertainty there can be inclination to blame others for not knowing more or having more under control. I know I am prone to doing this myself sometimes. However we can replace our blame with wonder at how we are all managing the situation. For all of us, it may be surprising to see our well established and prestigious institution grappling with decision-making in an ever-changing landscape.
But what a better opportunity to support one another in an acknowledgement that none of us has all the answers. While it is true there are hierarchies in our institution, we live together as community members as well as embodiments of our roles and statuses. As students, you are always right to demand justice and authentic and benevolent participation in the mending of a broken world. We need you to speak truth to power. You have rights to a superior education, and solid and rich residential life. And while the administration as a body may be structured in ways you don’t approve and make decisions with which you don’t agree, the administration is made up of individual people, using analysis and wisdom that their training and experience have given. So we all need each other to use the tools afforded us in this great institution—critical thinking, non-binary/black and white thinking, the ability to see a situation from many sides.
No one ever has all the answers. The pandemic has made this more evident in many arenas of our lives - college being no exception. So, I like to think that our simple Sandwiches and Soul conversation about masks revealed deeper implications about community, responsibility and the kind of civic engagement that should be part of our college experience to begin with.
Maybe a healthy institution is one in which we keep the masks on that protect the health and safety of others; but take the masks off that portray false invulnerability or power-over. Perhaps one of the hidden treasures growing in the cracks between the great tragedies of Covid is a recognition that uncertainty is shared by all of us. Any institution or system that claims to have all the answers is suspect. This knowledge can feel frightening, but more so it is liberating. The Culture of Care is truly a culture of shared responsibility. In a society characterized by individualism and competitiveness, our interdependence is inescapable.
Like my colleagues I am so delighted and thrilled to see your faces in person again here on campus, to run into you spontaneously, to share space and appreciate the beauty of a New England autumn together. But even more than that, I see what has grown or is growing from what we have gone through, and are going through, and how it might remake and strengthen us.
I know this period after Mountain Day and fall break, dates we all look forward to, can seem both drawn out and pressured. Days can feel full with overwhelming amounts of tasks. I try to think of each season, as holding special unique gifts, and this time of year I feel the eventual loss of leaves makes the horizon and the sky more visible. And we know now, more than ever, that we are not alone.
Many Blessings,
Matilda and the CRSL staff: Anna, Kim, Maureen, and Noam
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2021-2022: The Center for Religious and Spiritual Life Explores Transformative and Disability Justice as Spiritual Practices
by Matilda Cantwell
This year as Smith focuses on “Democracies,” we are painfully aware that social injustices were woven into the fabric of our society at its founding. We also find ourselves at a point at which the very structure of democracy in this country is under siege. Can justice be restored to our democracy or was it ever there to begin with? Are we set up for failure; insofar as exploitation, cruelty, and genocidal violence were parts of our very foundation? Can a society arguably predicated on a history of violent settler colonialism ever be a just democracy?
As part of the wider college focus on democracies, we (the CRSL) will be using the motifs of transformative justice and disability justice throughout our programs and conversations. Transformative justice takes a restorative justice framework, in which a perpetrator makes amends to serve someone they have harmed, to another level. Transformative Justice focuses on the systems that created the harm in the first place, assumes all players are harmed by similar forces, and that healing must take place on all levels. Read more here.
Matilda Cantwell is CRSL's Director of Religious and Spiritual Life and College Chaplain.
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Reparations in Higher Education
by Anna Ostow
This post is the first of a few to explore the theme of reparations. The term has come to refer to a broad movement, advocating for payments and structural repair to those harmed by slavery in the U.S. and to Black and Indigenous people. The Oxford dictionary defines reparations as “the making of amends for a wrong one has done, by paying money or otherwise helping those who have been wronged.” In this case, the payments and structural repair are in recognition of the land, labor and human bodies stolen and expropriated from native peoples and enslaved Africans and descendants of Africans.
In a virtual town hall panel, “Reexamining the History of Johns Hopkins at Johns Hopkins held by the university in December of 2020, Ron Daniels, President of the university, said “For a university that is supposed to be skeptical, supposed to be discerning, supposed to be dedicated to truth seeking, we embraced something very readily that now it turns out does not appear to be true. And so what does that say about us?” (21:25) This town hall disclosed the recent surfacing of evidence that Johns Hopkins, a Baltimore philanthropist, alleged abolitionist, beloved progressive benefactor and founder of Johns Hopkins University, also owned enslaved Africans in the 1800s. Read more here.
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Generating Justice and Joy
We Will Not Cancel Us:
Towards a Culture of Communal Care
Wednesday, Oct. 20
6:30 - 8:00 p.m. (Time extended)
Chapel Sanctuary
This month’s Generating Justice and Joy will draw on principles of transformative justice for a discussion of how to address “cancel culture” and strive instead for liberation and understanding. Generating Justice and Joy is a regular forum to address concerns, joys, and issues that affect our community in an atmosphere of mutual support. We gather because we believe together we can generate justice, and when there is justice, there can be joy. Hot drinks and snacks will be provided! All are welcome.
Unless otherwise specified, events on the Smith College campus for fall 2021 are limited to Smith One Card holders in the testing program and Five College students.
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Remarks from Generating and Justice and Joy: Islamophobia Post 9-11: Global Repercussions and Communal Responses
by Kim Alston
I thought it was a good idea to bring attention to the handling of the events in Afghanistan by the U.S. military last month through Generating Justice and Joy because it demonstrates the confusion, complexity, complicity, and connection that so many parties have in shaping the course of history.
I remember starting a new job on 9-11-2001 and hearing the disparaging comments about Muslims. It was difficult spending the day in training and overhearing short bursts of news on the “terrorist attack” on the World Trade Center. As a Muslim who is Black, I was used to being on guard because of my religion. I quickly understood that, in a matter of minutes, life had changed drastically for all Muslims in America.
Kim Alston is CRSL's Muslim Student Adviser.
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Sandwiches and Soul
Friday, Oct. 22
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Chapel Sanctuary
Sandwiches and Soul (formally known as Soup, Salad & Soul). Enjoy lunch and take part in reflective, student-led discussions on spirituality and life. Sandwiches and drinks provided. Arrive when you can, the official start time is 12:15 p.m. All are welcome.
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Indigenous People’s Day
Firsts and Other Facts
Indigenous People's Day celebrates the strength, resilience and sovereignty of Tribal Nations, the first inhabitants of these lands.
- First State to rename Columbus Day to Indigenous People’s Day: South Dakota, 1990
- First City to rename Columbus Day to Indigenous People’s Day: Berkley CA, 1992
- Date when Northampton, MA renamed Columbus Day to Indigenous People Day: June 2016
- Date when Smith College renamed the second Monday in October to Indigenous People Day: October 2020
Date when the Commonwealth of Massachusetts renamed Columbus Day to Indigenous People Day: It hasn’t. Bill 3665 brought forth by co-sponsor Northampton Senator Jo Comerford did not move out of the committee in which it was heard. The bill was recently reintroduced. Please visit http://www.indigenouspeoplesdayma.org/ for additional information.
These facts were contributed by Maureen Raucher, CRSL's Christian and Humanist Adviser. Photo by Arizona Daily Star
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Introducing
Rabbi Noam Lerman
We are so excited to introduce Rabbi Noam Lerman, who has replaced Rabbi Rhonda Shapiro-Rieser, who has retired after serving us with wisdom and energy for a decade.
Rabbi Noam Lerman (they/them) holds a MA in Jewish Education and rabbinical ordination from Hebrew College. They teach experimental and songful workshops that give life to Yiddish Tkhines, Ashkenazi spontaneous supplications that were once regularly written and prayed by women and gender non-conforming people. They facilitate Tzelem, which is a spiritual group for trans, non-binary, and genderqueer teens. Noam has acted as a chaplain for elders, incarcerated, and previously incarcerated individuals fighting for survival and healing. They are one of the co-founders of Let My People Sing!, an intergenerational and liberatory Jewish singing retreat. Noam is a teacher, ritual-holder, musician, Hebrew scribe, Restorative Justice circle keeper, and they deeply enjoy spending time in nature.
With grace and imagination and in collaboration with The Smith College Jewish Community they brought us through the High Holidays, which fell right at the start of classes. We look forward to continuing to enrich Jewish Life on campus as we support and collaborate with student leadership
Rabbi Noam Lerman is CRSL's new Jewish Student Adviser.
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Shabbat Services
"Shabbat services are organized by the Smith College Jewish Community and are held weekly every Friday evening. Exact time and location vary. Please email scjc@smith.edu for more information."
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Smith Christian Fellowship
Prayer Small Group
Meet new friends. Learn more about God's word! All welcome,
regardless of spiritual background or faith! Hope to see you soon!
Fridays 12:30 - 1:15 in the CC 204
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Interfaith, Prayer and Reflection Spaces on Campus
For this academic year the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life hosts spaces for student activities such as prayer, religious services, group meetings, teas, meditation, mindfulness, discussion groups, studying or simply hanging out.
The Helen Hills Hills Chapel sanctuary, simple in its beauty, has outstanding acoustics and is now being used as a flexible interfaith space to accommodate diverse cultural programming.
On the chapel lower level The Blue Room serves as space for contemplative practice, prayer, and meditation; and the CRSL also offers a space for prayer in The Prayer Room, located in the lower level of Wright Hall. Contact kalston@smith.edu or mraucher@smith.edu to obtain the door code. If you have not already, check out the new Neilson Library Reflection Room. This room provides a third space on campus, dedicated to praying, meditation and quiet contemplation.
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Catholic Mass
Sundays 4:15 pm Sanctuary
Celebrated by Smith's Community Religious Liaison Fr. Richard Bondi and the Newman Catholic Community.
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Smith Celebrates Cromwell Day
on November 4
Cromwell Day allows the Smith Community time to reflect on equity, inclusion, diversity and racism in the world, our conscious or unconscious engagement with it, and our responsibility to “disrupt patterns of structural oppression.” This year’s Cromwell Day, whose theme is “Collective Imagining of Anti-Democracies: Fighting for Racial Justice,” will be a full day of events, featuring workshops, cultural programming, and a plenary session headlined by keynote speaker, LaTosha Brown. It’s a fitting tribute to both Otelia Cromwell ’1900, Smith’s first black graduate, and her niece Adelaide Cromwell‘ 40, Smith’s first black faculty member, who attended Smith at the urging of her aunt, whom she lovingly called Aunt Tee. Both went on to achieve distinguished recognition in their lifetime as scholars, educators, administrators, and visionaries.
Adelaide’s son Anthony Cromwell Hill describes his great aunt as “walking the walk” and his mother as possessing “quality of mind” and "focus," making them ripe for accomplishment in their endeavors. Learn more about Otelia and Adelaide, their family history, how they lived and influenced so many promising lives by their example. A short but compact book on the life of Otelia can be found in “My Mothering Aunt: Otelia Cromwell,” and a fuller portrait of the Cromwell family can be discovered in “Unveiled Voices, Unvarnished Memories, The Cromwell Family in Slavery and Segregation, 1692-1972,” both written by Adelaide M. Cromwell.
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Weekly Meditation
Every Monday
5:00 p.m.
Chapel Sanctuary
Students, faculty and staff are invited to attend weekly mindful meditation in the tradition initiated by Ruth Ozeki. The meditation is led by Mary Beth Booker during Ruth's sabbatical. A simple, relaxed, silent practice of sitting and walking meditation, using chairs or floor cushions. Initial meditation instruction will be offered. All levels are welcome.
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Valley and Mountains: Fall in New England, Park Hill Orchard, 4.5 miles from Smith Campus |
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Jummah Prayer
Friday, Oct. 22
12:30 p.m.
Chapel Sanctuary
Jummah is held at the Hampshire Mosque in Hadley. The Hampshire Mosque has set aside up to six seats for Smith students who want to attend. Spots are limited due to COVID. Meet in front of the Helen Hills Hills Chapel at 12:25 p.m. The CRSL will provide transportation to students who want to attend services. The van will leave by 12:30 p.m. and return to campus about 2:15 p.m. If you are interested, send an email to Kim Alston, Muslim Student Adviser at kalson@smith.edu.
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Black Campus Ministry
Bible Study
Sundays 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
CC 204
Contact Dorithy Barnieth
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Tajweed Qur'an
Fridays
4:00 p.m.
Chapel Sanctuary
Listen. Recite. Repeat.
The word “tajweed” means to improve, make better. Learn proper Qur'an recitation with Tajweed in Riwayat Hafs An Asem through listening, reciting and repeating the verses. The reference book is called "Tajweed Quran with Meaning Translation in English with Index on Quran Topics."
You don't have to already speak Arabic. Come with the intention to learn. Email kalston@smith.edu to participate.
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Excerpts from
"Conflict Resolution for
Holy Beings"
…. REDUCE DEFENSIVENESS AND BREAK THE DEFENSIVENESS CHAIN:
I could hear the light beings as they entered every cell. Every cell is a house of the god of light, they said. I could hear the spirits who love us stomp dancing. They were dancing as if they were here, and then another level of here, and then another, until the whole earth and sky was dancing.
We are here dancing, they said. There was no there.
There was no "I" or "you."
There was us; there was "we."
There we were as if we were the music.
You cannot legislate music to lockstep nor can you legislate the spirit of the music to stop at political boundaries—
—Or poetry, or art, or anything that is of value or matters in this world, and the next worlds.
This is about getting to know each other.
We will wind up back at the blues standing on the edge of the flatted fifth about to jump into a fierce understanding together.
5. ELIMINATE NEGATIVE ATTITUDES DURING CONFLICT:
A panther poised in the cypress tree about to jump is a panther poised in a cypress tree about to jump.
The panther is a poem of fire green eyes and a heart charged by four winds of four directions.
The panther hears everything in the dark: the unspoken tears of a few hundred human years, storms that will break what has broken his world, a bluebird swaying on a branch a few miles away.
He hears the death song of his approaching prey:
I will always love you, sunrise.
I belong to the black cat with fire green eyes.
There, in the cypress tree near the morning star.
6. AND, USE WHAT YOU LEARN TO RESOLVE YOUR OWN CONFLICTS AND TO MEDIATE OTHERS' CONFLICTS:
When we made it back home, back over those curved roads
that wind through the city of peace, we stopped at the
doorway of dusk as it opened to our homelands.
We gave thanks for the story, for all parts of the story
because it was by the light of those challenges we knew
ourselves—
We asked for forgiveness.
We laid down our burdens next to each other.
-Joy Harjo, "Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings"
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International Student Ministry
Bible Study
Wednesdays 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
CC 102
Contact Kathia Masimbi Natete
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Interfaith Spirituali-tea
Tuesday, Oct. 26
4:45-5:45 pm
Interfaith Spirituali-tea (formerly known as Interfaith Lunch) is a safe, welcoming communal space for the spiritual, the faithful, the doubting, and the curious. This is a student-led CRSL program, dedicated to discussion about spiritual and religious life at Smith and beyond. Each week we focus on a different topic, sharing from our own experiences. For more information, contact Liah Gilvar-Parke at lgilvarparke@smith.edu.
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Mindful Mondays
Mondays
12:15 - 1:00 p.m.
Mindful Mondays meets every Monday from 12:15-1:00 p.m. and offers practice, reflection and conversation, drawing on secular mindfulness, somatics, and traditional Buddhist teachings. Mindful Mondays builds community, individual and collective awareness in service of social change that serves all beings without exception. All welcome, from curious to cynical, to experienced and everyone in between. The group meets on the Chapel Lawn (the lawn to the left of the Helen Hills Hills Chapel) weekly unless it is raining, in which case gathering on Zoom (register at https://bit.ly/MindfulMondays2021). Cushions and chairs provided. Please contact aostow@smith.edu with questions.
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Al-Nur Prayer
Friday, Oct. 29
12:00 p.m.
Chapel Sanctuary
Al-Nur Prayer Meeting at Helen Hills Hills Chapel. Plan, Discuss, Pray. Lunch will be served. Please use the link below to register for the event:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4BA8A92EA1FBC34-alnurprayer1
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Center for Religious and Spiritual Life
Helen Hills Hills Chapel
123-125 Elm Street
Northampton, Massachusetts 01063
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