Abrahamic Program For Young Adults

The Abrahamic Program for Young Adults (APYA) – a component of the Department of Religion Abrahamic Program – completed its second season, again under the leadership of three young adults, each representing one of the Abrahamic Faiths.  This year’s coordinators were Sam Schiller (Judaism), Tori Savage (Christianity), and Siraj AbdurRafi (Islam).  Working as a team, they programmed five nights a week, including a Sports Night, Movie Night, Hot Topic Discussion Night, Culture Night, and a Porch Chat Night.  As the summer progressed, they experimented with integrating a secondary structure to diversify the goals and intended takeaways for the events, attempting to integrate a mix of educational/cultural, spiritual/experiential, social service, discussion/sharing, and purely social events – a conceptualization that proved most effective and enjoyable. 

The team also worked to create programming that addressed events that were consequential in terms of their significance in the public arena as well as appealing to the targeted age group of 16-22.  They also became increasingly intentional in how they would talk about faith and utilize religion to address the subjects and foci of the events. Many of the significant issues chosen presented a context inseparable from religion. Without a better understanding of the history and traditions of religions, as well as the approach that religions use to analyze the world, discussion of these issues would have been incomplete.  They determined not to present their religions as having an explicit answer to complicated social problems, but rather as traditions that offer a path for finding meaning in life and instilling just values. 

In retrospect the coordinators feel that the dynamism of the programming and the breadth of issues tackled were truly noteworthy.  The feedback that they received at the end of the summer from regular participants indicated that the programming was informative, successful in breaking down stereotypes and cultural boundaries, and above all inviting and fun.

In addition to the program schedule the coordinators initiated and participated in various community programs to further the interfaith goals.  Assisted by Sam and Tori, Siraj conducted a Jum’a Prayer Service, open to the entire Chautauqua community (Muslim and non-Muslim alike), every Friday.  This service took many forms, depending on those in attendance.  Sometimes it served as a combined prayer service and a valuable question and answer period for those curious about Islam.  It was always an opportunity to welcome Muslims from the surrounding areas to the grounds to pray as a community.  For some of the services, Siraj invited Muslim scholars to share their wisdom in a traditional sermon, which was a unique and enlightening experience for both Muslim and non-Muslim participants. 

Sam, Tori, and Siraj also participated in Chautauqua’s annual Interfaith Sacred Song service, each delivering a short reflection on their faith and its relationship to the imagery and themes of the service.  They also helped to lead the communal readings and directed some of the visual elements of the service.  This was a powerful event for all, as the Chautauqua community warmly embraced its interfaith identity, and the APYA coordinators were grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it.

Grateful for the many service experiences throughout the Season, the coordinators and program participants were most pleased to volunteer as needed at the Hurlbut Church meal ministry lunches to show their appreciation to Hurlbut Church for providing a wonderful office space for the program.  They also planted an APYA tree in St. Paul’s Grove that is intended to mature and grow along with this nascent program.  The tree embodies the program’s commitment to the environment and its hope for future generations of Chautauquans to live in a more peaceful and understanding world.

Sam, Tori, and Siraj are now looking forward to becoming part of a growing Alumni Advisory Council for the program, and have committed to coming back to train next year’s coordinators.  The Department of Religion and these gifted young adults – proud to be part of the Department of Religion Abrahamic Program – are all grateful to Carol Duhme and the Roblee Foundation for its generous support this year.