Saturday, three Chattanooga-area religious leaders will lead an interfaith discussion on the role of light.
The discussion will take place at 6:45 p.m. at the Jewish Cultural Center following Havdalah, a ceremony to celebrate the end of the Sabbath.
Participating in the discussion are Rabbi Bill Tepper of Mizpah Congregation, Dr. Doug Tilstra from Southern Adventist University’s School of Religion and the Rev. Leyla King of Thankful Memorial Episcopal Church.
The event is part of the Spirituality of Light series, sponsored by the Jewish Cultural Center and the Hunter Museum of American Art. The series examines the ways in which light, both literally and figuratively, lights up lives.
“We talked about wanting to do something during the winter months that was spiritual but not specifically holiday-related,” said Ann Treadwell, program director at the center, who coordinated the series with Adera Causey, director of education at the Hunter.
Light plays a role in many world religions and cultures, experts note.
Each year, Hindus celebrate Diwali, and Jews celebrate Hanukkah. Both are referred to as festivals of light, though each celebration has its own story and background.
According to Tilstra, “Southern Adventist Christians view God as a source of light to all humanity.”
Kwanzaa incorporates candles, which represent principles of the African-American cultural celebration that takes place every December.