On Bedford TV: ‘Spiritually Speaking’ with Rabbi Susan Abramson Features the Islamic Center of Burlington

Submitted by Temple Shalom Emeth

The third episode in the community access TV show Spiritually Speaking features the the Islamic Center of Burlington. According to Greg Dolan, Executive Director of Bedford TV, the program will air on Tuesday, November 15 and Tuesday, November 22 at 8 pm on Comcast Channel 8/Verizon Channel 38.

Produced and directed at Burlington Community Access Television by Rabbi Susan Abramson of Temple Shalom Emeth in Burlington, the program highlights various aspects of the Islamic faith, including prayer, and cultural & daily life traditions. Abramson said, “This past summer, I began a new initiative to bring understanding, acceptance, and friendship to our community through Spiritually Speaking. This is the episode I most wanted to produce.”  She said the program includes “numerous testimonies on how it feels to be Muslim in America right now.”

Members of all ages participated in the taping of the TV program, she said, and offered personal observations about what their faith means to them, and what they want people to know about them. “There is so much to be learned about all aspects of Islam, including the five tenets of their faith, their prayer ritual five times a day, and their holidays. Among those participating in the Islamic Center program are Imam Shakeel Rahman Miah and President Mohammad Shahid.

Abramson, who is the longest serving female rabbi in Massachusetts, sees the TV program as a new challenge and an opportunity “to jump into new, uncharted territory.” Abramson added that Spiritually Speaking was designed to counteract “the rising number of acts of intolerance in our town and in society.”

In connection with the TV program, Abramson is partnering with the Islamic Center of Burlington to host an interfaith evening on Friday, November 18 with plans for Jewish and Islamic prayer services and an interfaith feast.

Programs about Temple Shalom Emeth and St. Margaret’s Catholic Church in Burlington have been aired on Spiritually Speaking, and segments about UCC Congregational Church of Burlington and the Mormon Church congregation are in production. Archived segments of Spiritually Speaking are available on YouTube.