Shem Center For Interfaith Spirituality

Shem is an Aramaic word expressing the Divine radiance and splendor in all of creation.

 SHEM Center for Interfaith Spirituality offers the sojourners of all spiritual paths and faith traditions, as well as those who claim none, a sacred space where all are respectfully welcomed to encounter the wisdom found in the sacred traditions of the peoples of the world. 

Friends

My apologies for mistakenly publishing a web site message that our friend, John Wilbrot had died. John is still with us. Please continue to pray for him and send him love and support.
Joe Kilikevice

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Illinois Governor, JB Pritzker – The Forces That Assault Us

This speech from our Illinois Governor, JB Pritzker came on my car radio recently while I was driving. Realizing that he was saying something of significance not only to Illinois citizens but to the rest of the country, I parked the car on a side street to listen with greater attention. I found his well crafted speech delivered with a sense of urgency and conviction and had a message for the whole country. I place it here inviting you to take time to hear it or to read some of it here. I hasten to add that it holds a message that is about right and wrong, good and evil, survival and not surviving. Please take the time to consider and act on his words however you may choose to do so.

May our country survive the forces that assault us.

— Joseph Kilikevice
Shem Center Director Emeritus

Letter of Humanity to Welcome Brother Leo

Dear brother Leo, welcome! You are one of us, a man in flesh and blood so you are entitled to a warm welcome. Just as on the day your mother gave you to the world, and today again because of the task to you entrusted. It must be indeed like a second or third birth to you.

Male Spirit Testimonials

Listen to John Brown, a regular Male Spirit attendee as he attests to the kind of experience this retreat provides for him.
Read more about the 2025 retreat here.

Tikkun - The Prophetic Jewish, Interfaith & Secular Voice to Heal and Transform the World
Tikkun - The Prophetic Jewish, Interfaith & Secular Voice to Heal and Transform the World

The Prophetic Jewish, Interfaith & Secular Voice to Heal and Transform the World

Tikkun uplifts Jewish, interfaith, and secular prophetic voices of hope that contribute to universal liberation. A catalyst for long-term social change Tikkun empowers people and communities to heal the world by embracing revolutionary love, compassion, and empathy. Tikkun promotes a caring society that protects the life support system of the planet and celebrates the Earth and the universe with awe and radical amazement.

A Moonlight Speech, October 11, 1962

Sixty years ago, the first night of the Second Vatican Council, Pope John XXIII came out on a balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square and gave his impromptu remarks now called "the moonlight speech.” I remember it well, making its way into the world via the news media. 

A Challenge Grant to Shem Center

Once again The Wolcott/Ebbeler Foundation, our supportive friends of many years, is offering you a way to have your donations to Shem Center increase by way of their matching gift.

The Wolcott/Ebbeler Foundation
Shem Center For Interfaith Spirituality

Shem Center Programs

Shem Center offers experiences of the prayer, meditation, rituals, and the wisdom of the peoples of the world. In doing so, each takes a place at the table with others whose spiritual tradition may be similar to or different from one’s own. 

Martin Luther King Jr.

"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. (1929-1968)

An Interfaith Greeting of Peace

SHALOM - SHLAMA - SALAAM

These three words in Hebrew, Aramaic and Arabic are used in turn as greetings of peace by Jews, Christians and Muslims, the followers of the three Abrahamic religions.

Inter-Spirituality

Recognizing that the Divine Reality is not limited to any one expression of our journey with God, Shem Center takes its place with many others committed to the task of bringing peace into the world through understanding, respect and friendship. 

Shem Center For Interfaith Spirituality

News

We Have Family in Ukraine

Letter From Ukraine, October 31, 2022

By Joseph Kilikevice O.P. | November 2, 2022

Dear Sisters, Dear Brothers,

Evenings are now dark on the streets of Ukrainian cities. Due to the need to save electricity, most of the lights are off. Recently, when I was leaving the store, I saw a beautiful German Shepherd, which looked at me with curiosity. The dog then started speaking with a woman’s voice. I was astonished! After a few seconds, however, I realized his owner was sitting next to the dog. Disguised by darkness and invisible to the world, she was speaking loudly on the phone.

Read More
We Have Family in Ukraine

Letter From Ukraine, September 14, 2022

By Joseph Kilikevice O.P. | November 2, 2022

Dear sisters, dear brothers,

It has been 200 days since the beginning of the war. Although the Ukrainian army’s most recent military achievements and the lifting of Russian occupation in the territories of the Kharkiv Oblast and the south of the country brought us joy, hope, and expectation, we are all aware that the road to full victory remains long. Today, on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, by the initiative of the Council of the European Episcopal Conferences, we are celebrating in Ukraine the Day of Prayer for Peace. It is celebrated under the motto: “Kneeling before the Eucharist crying for peace.” I’m very grateful to Archbishop Gintarasa for this idea. He visited Ukraine in July, and since he is Lithuanian, I’m sure he understands perfectly well how godless and terrible the ideology of “Russian peace” could be.

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A Meeting Remembered, Albert Nolan, O.P., 1934-2022

By Joseph Kilikevice O.P. | October 24, 2022

It was in December of 1999, a day at The Parliament of the World’s Religions assembled in Cape Town, South Africa. I had chosen to wear my Dominican habit by way of giving witness to my religious order’s public declaration of its interfaith mission of dialogue and respect for all faith traditions and spiritual paths. I chose to wear my religious habit, one worn by many illustrious women and men for nearly eight centuries as members of the Order of Preachers. There were of course many others in national and religious garb making this gathering of some 7000 participants from 80 countries a colorful display of our diversity.

Read More

Welcome to Shem Center. Contact Us!

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Shem Center for Interfaith Spirituality
708 North Harvey Avenue
Oak Park, IL 60302

(708) 848-1095
shemcenter1993@gmail.com

Photo Credits: Emory Mead, Stephen B. Starr, Joseph Kilikevice

The Shem Center for Interfaith Spirituality website is awarded a 2022 American Digital Design Award for excellence in design and user experience.

2022 American Digital Design Awards