Sylvia and Richard Kaufman Interfaith Institute

As part of the 2025-2026 academic year, the Kaufman Interfaith Institute and Interfaith Photovoice collaborated with religious and spiritual communities across the Grand Rapids area to create video introductions to their sacred spaces. Filmed during Kaufman’s monthly Sacred Site Visits, these videos offer an opportunity to learn directly from the practitioners themselves about their traditions, beliefs, and places of worship.

"The Grand Rapids Buddhist Temple (GRBT) is a home for practice, connection, and spiritual growth.

Rooted in the wisdom of Mahayana Buddhism, we honor the interconnection of all beings, the inherent Buddha nature within each of us, and the compassionate path of the bodhisattva, showing up for the world with courage and kindness.

We are a multi-tradition community, shaped by teachers and practices from various Buddhist lineages, including the Heartside Mindfulness School, Soto Zen, and Tibetan Gelug traditions."

Website: zengr.org | Address: 451 Division Ave South, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

"ICC Behar is a Muslim religious based non-profit organization that formed on April 15th, 2000 to attend to the religious and cultural needs of the local Muslim and Bosniak community of greater Grand Rapids. From its inception, the community was led by Imam Makić."

Website: iccbehar.org | Address: 3425 E Paris Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512

"We are a vibrant Orthodox Christian community in Grand Rapids, part of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. Our parish has served this community for over 100 years, carrying the unbroken apostolic tradition forward into a new century."

Website: stnicholasgr.com | Address: 2250 E. Paris SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546

"The Sikh Society of West Michigan was established in 1999. A handful of Sikh families started this society. The first big endeavor was the 300th celebration of Vaisakhi (Birth of the Khalsa) about 300 families attended the free event sponsored by a few Sikh families. From a handful of Sikhs to over a hundred families our community has blossomed. Because of all the support of these families a spectacular Gurudwara was inaugurated in April of 2006."

"The Gurudwara is a place where all are welcome, it doesn’t matter what your faith is as long as you respect our traditions of removing your shoes and covering your head we are happy to invite everyone to see it. We encourage people to learn about the Sikh religion, because the Grand Rapids and Muskegon sangat confidently say, 'We are Proud to be Sikhs.'"

Website: Facebook Page | Address: 8845 Cascade Rd SE, Ada, MI 49301

"Temple Emanuel is a Jewish synagogue located in Grand Rapids, MI.   Founded in 1857, Temple Emanuel is the fifth oldest Reform congregation in the United States."

"Temple Emanuel is a Reform Jewish community that embraces our differences to create a meaningful and spiritual experience, and enhance Jewish life.  Together, we learn, worship, serve and continually define what it means to be Jewish today—both within and far beyond our walls."

Website: grtemple.org | Address: 1715 Fulton St E, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

"For many years Hindu Devotees of Grand Rapids had Pujas and Satsang (religious gatherings) in various homes, Banquet Halls, and Schools. It was a long felt desire of the community to have a Temple in Grand Rapids. West Michigan Hindu temple was formed by a group of volunteers who took it upon themselves to build a temple in the community they lived. With the support and commitment of many long term residents of Grand Rapids, an organization quickly came into prominence to spearhead the cause for building the temple that you are seeing today. The Mission of the temple is to promote the values of peace, harmony and human values of truth, tolerance, forgiveness, respect for one another and sharing through the means of prayer, bhajans, and community spirit."

Website: westmichiganhindutemple.org | Address: 4870 Whitneyville Ave SE, Ada, MI 49301

"A woman-centered space for witches (of all gender identities) to connect in West Michigan. We host monthly coffees as well as other events in the Grand Rapids, Holland, Muskegon, and Kalamazoo areas, with more on the way!

Our Mission: To foster a welcoming and nurturing witch community, without discrimination of race, sexual orientation, or spiritual path.

Our Vision: WoWM provides programs and opportunities that educate, empower, connect, serve, and support the spiritual and social needs of our members, striving toward a growing and thriving witch community throughout West Michigan."

Website: Facebook Page

A huge thank you to all of our partner communities for sharing their stories and their traditions with us!