Programs

Adult Education

At IFFP, we believe that developing our understanding and experience of religion and spirituality is a life-long process. Thus, we offer programs for religious education for adults as well as for children. Our primary offering for adults is our Adult Education Program which meets at the same time as our Sunday School. Our adult program has grown from an informal series of member-led discussions to a varied program of single session large group discussions and multiple session smaller group discussions that draw on the expertise of outside speakers, our Spiritual Director and Spiritual Advisor, and our membership.

The topics for Adult Education are announced in our weekly member's List Serv Bulletin. Our large-group, single session topics previously presented include:

Observance of Fasts for Yom Kippur & Eid ul Fitr: Rabbi Harold White & Imam Yahya Hendi.
Parallels of Passover & Easter: Connections between Easter & Passover led by Rabbi White, Rev. Julia Jarvis and Sr. Pat Parachini, professor at Georgetown University & the Theological Seminary.
What is faith? Why have faith?: Discussion on the role of non-believers with respect to the Jewish and Christian religions based on readings from Scripture and theologians
Wonder: A Radical Response to Despairing Times: Anne Kline, a Jewish spiritual leader.
The Sabbath: Discussion on what traditions tell us to do on Sabbath & how people are translating that today to counterbalance their busy lives. Led by Rev. Julia Jarvis
Jewish/Christian Historical Connections between the Lenten Season and the Jewish Calendar; also the Relationship between Purim and Mardi Gras on Ash Wednesday: Led by Rabbi White
Jewish Meditation: Led by Rabbi Pam (Liba) Hoffman of Georgetown University.
Healing Israel/Palestine: Why is the Israeli/Palestinian conflict such a divisive and confrontational issue? A different kind of conversation led by an IFFP member
Sacraments in the Roman Catholic Tradition: Led by Sr. Pat Parachini
Challenging Passages of the Bible led by IFFP Members
Comparative Understandings of Death and Dying and associated Rituals with Rabbi Harold White
Forgiveness led by Rabbi Harold White

Our multi-session series presented in the past include:

Introduction to Kabbalah, with Rabbi Harold White
Interfaith 101 & December Dilemma: Series discussed life situations and challenges in an interfaith family: celebrating both holidays, dealing with extended family, how to raise the children.
Judaism 101: A three-part series led by led by Rabbi Gilah Langer
Peaceful Home: Mitchell Ratner presented this series providing the tools to create a peaceful home such as meditation techniques with children, suggestions for celebrations & festivals, parenting practices, etc.
Personality and Spirituality led by trainers Grace McLaren and Linnea Nilsen Capshaw.
Christianity 101, led by IFFP members Sam Lawson and Kent Dirckx
Way to Pray, led by Ann Kline from the Shalem Institute