Liora Chaya Levich

Ethical Citizenship - Interfaith Involvement  

 

Augustana offers a variety of ways students can become involved in a more meaningful way, beyond just clubs and extracurriculars that act as résumé boosters. Although there is nothing wrong with having those kinds of extracurriculars and being involved in those types of clubs, sometimes a more meaningful experienced is craved and needed.

 

I was able to get this kind of experience and fulfill my ethical citizenship requirement through my involvement with Augustana Interfaith, a student group that encourages individuals from all backgrounds and faiths to interact, share stories, and participate in events that promote coexistence and understanding among the student body. It was the first time where in one room there was me, a Jewish student, sitting next to students that were Catholic, Muslim, Atheist, Agnostic, and more. Interfaith International is actually a big, international organization that promotes peace and coexistence between people of different faiths on a global scale, and many schools and universities around the country and the world have Interfaith chapters.

 

Augustana’s Interfaith chapter was particularly wonderful, and I was able to participate in many events that promoted more understanding between students of different faiths. One event was called the “Fast-a-thon” where students of all backgrounds who had a fasting holiday in their religion or faith could talk about their experience with fasting and what it means to them on a personal level; then, the rest of the students who would want to be involved pledged to attempt to fast for a day to see what that experience is like, only to finish with a big feast for everyone at the end of the day. Through interacting with Augustana Interfaith, I was able to take on my ethical citizenship to the fullest.