Sylvia and Richard Kaufman Interfaith Institute

While 'multifaith' may be used to describe spaces where different traditions and perspectives coexist in their respective circles, the way we understand and employ the term 'interfaith' refers to the active engagement of difference between people of different religious, secular, or spiritual cultures and identities - the intentional interaction of our circles - with the goal of deeper understanding of and respect for another person's lived experiences.

Absolutely not. Your truth is your truth, and you are the expert in your own experience.

The interfaith philosophy we follow at Kaufman encourages people to show up as their authentic selves and invites them to engage with one another through curiosity—not to change or dilute their own beliefs. That said, we will invite everyone in the group to think critically about their own identity and to enter into the world of someone else's beliefs, experiences, and feelings, which may even seem contrary to their own. The conversations may be challenging but are not intended to persuade anyone to abandon or water down a central part of their identity.

We offer a variety of programs, events, and opportunities for conversation and connection. These range from scholarly lectures and panels to dialogue-based dinners to visits to local sacred sites and many more.

For those looking to dive deeper, we offer three Interfaith Leadership Cohorts - one for middle/high school students, one for GVSU undergraduate and graduate students, and one for interested adult community members in the West Michigan area. Through these cohorts, participants engage in leadership training, travel to various culturally and religiously significant sites in Michigan, and learn to share their own stories while hearing and holding the stories of others - all designed to help them develop a global interfaith perspective.