Welcoming Spring with the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life

CRSL Newsletter

March 14, 2024

Welcome Spring

While the official start of spring is still a week away, we at the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life want to be the first to wish you a happy spring! We hope you enjoy learning and hearing about our offerings for Ramadan and Easter. Please stay tuned for information on Holy Week, and then Passover in April - most of our religious programs are open to all, and you don’t need to carry a card to participate.

One of the key focuses within the Center for Religious and Spiritual is "religious literacy." Every religious tradition contains tremendous diversity within, including but not limited to variations according to region, sect, denomination, making it challenging to ever become a full expert in any one tradition. However, some degree of "religious literacy," a basic knowledge of at least some of the most widely practiced traditions, is important while living in a diverse community such as Smith, as a form of respect for those around us. Religious literacy is also a key competency for many of the professions students are entering upon graduation. The following two pieces, by Muslim Student Advisor Kim Alston, and Rabbi and Jewish Student Advisor Bruce Bromberg Seltzer, respectively, are the first two in a series of articles intended to increase our religious literacy as a community. We hope you find them informative!

In justice, in joy, and in spring growth.

The CRSL Team

Religious Literacy

Ramadan Mubarak!

Muslims worldwide look forward to the start of the Ramadan season, a beautiful time of year for reflection, spiritual renewal, and devotion to Allah. Some of our students and community members at Smith will engage in Ramadan. You will hear many Muslims enthusiastically greet each other with the phrase Ramadan Mubarak or Ramadan Kareem which means Happy Ramadan. A successful Ramadan requires the collaboration of many different centers and departments at Smith, including Dining Services, Residential Life and the Office of Student Engagement, to whom we are thankful for their support every year. CRSL works closely with the leaders of Al Iman, Smith’s Muslim Student Association, to plan events and opportunities for observants.

What is Ramadan?

You who believe, fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may be mindful of God. – Qur’an 2:183 (M.A.S. Abdel Haleem)

Ramadan falls in the ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar and is the time of year

when adult Muslims are obligated to fast from pre-dawn to sunset, refraining from

food and drink including water; and other specific behaviors. Keep in mind there are

always exceptions to the rule and there may be instances when you will notice that

some Muslims will not observe the fast for personal reasons. This year Ramadan will

be observed from March 10 to April 9, 2024. The actual start date is determined by

the sighting of the moon.

Ramadan is an annual sacred period of spiritual renewal and purification for Muslims

and involves nightly extended prayers, deep personal reflection, Qur’anic reading

(from cover to cover), charitable acts, and community festivities. The Qur’an was first

revealed to Prophet Muhammad during the month of Ramadan. Muslims are used to

observing Ramadan with their families and communities, so observant students away

from home can experience feelings of vulnerability and isolation. Ramadan can also

bring on fatigue and stress, which can be challenging to our students.

Community support for observants

The CRSL seeks to make extra efforts to respond to student needs by taking steps to validate, acknowledge and normalize Muslim practices. We regularly seek information through surveys and conversations about students’ hopes and needs. Community iftars (breaking of the fast with an evening meal) both on campus and as part of the larger Muslim community are a critical way to support the wellbeing of students observing Ramadan. CRSL and several other Smith departments and centers host iftars (see the Ramadan iftar poster below) and students are encouraged to cook their meals together when they are able. Sometimes students may need to request religious considerations from faculty by way of an absence from class or an extension on an assignment and/or exam. Some students from minority Muslim sects undergo an intensive practice of grief and mourning during Ramadan that adds an additional emotional component to the time period. These students may attend observances at more distant mosques which may require more time for travel.

At the end of Ramadan students may request taking time off to attend the culmination of Ramadan, the Eid celebration, which includes morning prayers at the mosque and a festive community meal.

We cannot emphasize enough how much students appreciate the support they receive

from staff and faculty during Ramadan and small considerations can make a tremendous difference to how students experience this holy time. For some students

this may be the first time they are responsible for all the details of their Ramadan

experience. CRSL reinforces with students the importance of planning ahead and

whenever possible providing their professors and supervisors with as much advance

notice as possible if a consideration is needed.

Ramadan Resources

Ramadan Smith webpage

Recording of the CRSL’s Ramadan Awareness Workshop from 2023, with talks by Smith Students and Muslim Leaders from Hartford International University and Williams College) entitled Deeds That Are Beloved to Allah During Ramadan.

We also encourage you to read the letter written by students to faculty and staff, which includes six ways that you can better support students during Ramadan, on the CRSL blog here.

Student Request Form

If a student makes a request that you, as faculty or staff, would like to consult the

CRSL on how to best address, you can notify us here. We want to reiterate that the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life is here for you to consult with on any issues or questions about Ramadan or any of the upcoming religious holidays. We also encourage you to contact the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life directly if you need support to decide on a religious consideration. Lastly, we are using this time as an opportunity to follow up on the letter from the Provost and Dean of the College sent last month to faculty and staff regarding religious observances. Here is a link to Smith’s Interfaith Religious Calendar so you can have access to important information about religious observances.

The beauty of Ramadan is that it is experienced differently by every Muslim and can

transform the life and heart of the individual. The CRSL is excited to partner with our

students during this blessed time of year. We hope to see many of you at the Interfaith iftar on Thursday, March 28 at 7:00 pm in the Helen Hills HIlls Chapel sanctuary.

Peace and Blessings,

Kim Alston, Muslim Student Advisor

Matilda Cantwell, Director of Religious and Spiritual Life

Ramadan Iftar and Suhur Schedule

Thursday, March 14, 7-8:30 pm Iftar in Bodman-hosted by CRSL

Thursday, March 28, 7-8:30 pm Iftar in Bodman-hosted by CRSL/Al (open to CRSL community)

Saturday, March 30, 7-8:30pm Student-led potluck Iftar

Thursday, April 4, 7-830 pm Iftar in Wright Hall-hosted by Lewis Global Studies Center

April 5, 4:30 am Suhur in Cutter Ziskind

Ramadan Cooking in Bodman Lounge Wednesdays and Saturdays

To sign up contact mmalshagawi@smith.edu.

Drop into the kitchen at Bodman Lounge after sunset to make smoothies and grab snacks during Spring Break and throughout Ramadan!

Students attend Taraweeh nightly prayers at the Hampshire Mosque in Hadley. Pictured with students are Kim Alston, Muslim Student Advisor and Naz Muhammad, Community Relations Coordinator at the mosque. The CRSL provides transportation every evening for students to attend evening prayers. RSVP to kalston@smith.edu or to receive more information.

Mezuzah:

How a Jew Marks Liminal Space

The mezuzah is a very important and visible symbol of a Jewish building or room. It establishes that a space is in some way tied to Jews–by use or ownership. Mezuzah is a biblical Hebrew word for doorpost but usually refers to the ritual and/or decorative item that is placed on a doorpost. See dictionary.com for examples of pronunciation.

It is often a small oblong item which contains a handmade parchment scroll written by a trained scribe with verses from the Torah (sometimes referred to as the Five Books of Moses). These verses, part of the Shema prayer, are passages from Deuteronomy (6:4-9 and 11:13-21). The tradition stems from verse 11:20: “And you shall inscribe them on the doorposts (mezuzot) of our house and on your gates.”

By marking the liminal space of a doorway, a Jew both highlights their personal Jewish identity and demonstrates that this identity may be different in public versus private. Jews do so for many reasons including: out of a sense of tradition (that is what Jews do), based on centuries-old beliefs that mezuzah provides protection, to remind ourselves of entering and exiting home (which is the context of the Biblical verse above), and out of a expression of Jewish identity.

While the insides of a mezuzah are fairly similar (containing the parchment above or a reproduction of one), the case can vary as an opportunity for the owner to express style and personality. Many have a Hebrew letter (ש, shin), the first letter of Shadai, one of the names for God in Judaism. A google image search can show the range of styles that a mezuzah may take.

The size and shape of a mezuzah is determined by factors including the size of the doorpost and the size of the parchment (parchment is expensive so price typically goes up with size). They vary from under two inches and the size of a pencil to extending several feet for ceremonial versions in significant Jewish buildings. Most are a few inches long and up to an inch wide. The price of a mezuzah case depends on material, size, and if it is handmade (especially by an artist). They are typically placed on the opposite side of the doorway from the door hinges at the mezuzah is primarily found in doorways, some Jews have a mezuzah in their car (usually hanging from the rear view mirror) or in the form of a necklace. If space is available the mezuzah typically is angled in to the room or building.

Some Jews kiss the mezuzah whenever they enter a door that has one (touching it with a finger or hand and then kissing it) to add a physical action to the mental act of paying attention to the mezuzah as they enter it.

Rabbi Bruce Bromberg Seltzer is the Smith College Rabbi and Jewish Student Advisor.

Democracy Poem #1

By June Jordan

Tell them that I stood

in line

and I waited

like everybody

else

But I never got

called

And I keep that scrap

of paper

in my pocket

just in case

Easter Service

Sunday March 31, 10:30 a.m.

Helen Hills Hills Chapel Sanctuary

Scriptures, readings and poetry with college chaplain Matilda Cantwell, special guest Blackappella, and members of the Smith community.

Easter treats for everyone! All Smith Community members, their families and friends are welcome! Sponsored by the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life.

Weekly Programming

Catholic Mass

Sunday at 3 p.m.

Helen Hills Hills Chapel

* No mass celebrated on campus the first Sunday of every month*

Contact: Catholicclub@smith.edu

Pray The Rosary

Every Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

Helen Hills Hills Chapel

*There will be no rosary prayer the first Sunday of every month.*

Contact: CatholicClub@smith.edu

Celebrate Shabbat with SCJC

Fridays at 5:30 p.m.

All are welcome at the "K," the Kosher Kitchen attached to Jordan House!

Join us for Jummah!

Fridays at 12:30 p.m.

Hampshire Mosque in Hadley

Meet in front of the Helen Hills Hills Chapel at 12:25 p.m. Van will leave by 12:30 p.m. and return to campus no later than 2:30 p.m. Bring a prayer rug and complete your ablution beforehand. We have extra prayer rugs if you need one! To attend email crsl@smith.edu. All are welcome!

Al Nur Spiritual Gatherings

Thursday March 21 and April 18, 6-7:30 p.m.

Bodman Lounge

Join Thursday dinner discussions with Muslim Student Advisor Kim Alston.

“Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth...Allah doth guide whom He will to His Light.””

Al Nur 35

Mindful Mondays with Anna Ostow

Mondays 12:15 - 1:00 p.m.

Campus Center Room 102

If you are looking for a place to make connections and practice tools for awareness and self-acceptance, come join Mindful Mondays! With light meditation, embodiment practice, and discussion, we make a space that encourages healing and community. All levels of experience are welcome. Please contact aostow@smith for more information.

Weekly Meditation

Monday 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Helen Hills Hills Chapel Sanctuary

Students, faculty, staff, and alumnae are invited to come together in person for weekly mindful meditation led by EJ Seibert and Mary Beth Brooker. We will do a simple, relaxed, silent practice of sitting and walking meditation, based on Zen forms. Chairs and floor cushions are available. Meditation instructions will be offered each week. All levels are welcome.

For disability access information or accommodation request, or to request a sign language interpreter, call 413-585-2071 at least 10 days before the event.