Civic Friendship in Jewish Thought
Recently, the Fetzer Institute had the honor of interviewing our partner, Dr. Shira Billet from the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS). Dr. Billet's research focuses on the beginnings of modern Jewish philosophy and its place within the history of philosophy, especially ethics, political philosophy, and philosophy of religion.
Spiritual Solutions for Political Flourishing
In the midst of the prevailing division, polarization, and self-interest in public life, the Fetzer Institute is asking: how can we live a better version of our civic lives?
Planting Gardens of Belonging
Our cultural moment is marked decisively by a bitter, national upheaval. The ramifications of such division are evident in the ongoing reformation of social and civic life that has fundamentally reshaped the American landscape for the next generation of public leaders, particularly those who are deeply rooted in a spiritual tradition.
Racial Justice Doesn't Have to Divide Us as Americans. Here's How We Can Work Together.
Our faith traditions and spiritual paths call us to care for the other beyond our own self- and clan-interest as an expression of Love.
Originally published in USA Today June 15, 2023
The new Public Agenda/USA TODAY Hidden Common Ground poll offers important data about how Americans view racism and racial justice.
You Say Unity, I Say Belonging…
In a time when divisions seem to be widening, what can philanthropy learn about how its language helps to bridge or exacerbate those divides? Are the terms we use meaningful to grantees and those they exist to serve? These are the driving questions behind Fetzer’s early involvement in a national Civic Language Perception Project with Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement (PACE).
Not Left or Right, But Deep: How People of Faith Can Help to Heal America's Divisions
Originally published in USA Today December 6, 2022
We must fan the flames of spiritual renewal within our religious traditions to help them overcome dogmatism and division and to become their best, most life-affirming selves.
Addressing Toxic Polarization Requires Heart-level Spiritual Solutions
The results are in! Fetzer is excited to share news of 25 interventions that can help strengthen American democracy. This work, the Strengthening Democracy Challenge, took place over the past few years in a project we co-funded with our allies to support Stanford University’s Polarization and Social Change Lab. The challenge was designed to identify ways to
Healing Muslim-Christian Relations Through Shared Vulnerability
Recently the Fetzer Institute partnered with the Aspen Institute’s Religion and Society Program and religious freedom legal scholar Asma Uddin to explore how to heal Muslim-Christian relationships. Uddin is a visiting professor at Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law and a fellow at Aspen’s Religion and Society Program.
Resilience and Soul Work: Cultivating Courage to Create Inclusive Cultures [to be rescheduled]
When we think of "resilient” people, we generally think of individuals who adapt well in the face of adversity, trauma, stress and/or tragedy. Resilience is a capacity that each of us can build within ourselves through our thoughts, behaviors, habits, and actions. The goal of our time together will be to explore strategies to deepen our commitment to live authentically and to undertake challenges to transform cultures to become more just.
Belonging, Bridging, Becoming: An Immersive Residency for Young Adults
Humanity and the planet are going through a rite of passage where we’re being compelled to learn to live in new ways and get a sense of what matters most to us.
—M. Rako Fabionar, Program Director,
Innovative Living and Learning Institute