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.
Reflections From Shem Center
Unveiling the Aramaic Jesus Within
Shem Center friends,
Neil Douglas-Klotz, a friend and colleague of mine for many years offers us an opportunity to experience his research and wisdom regarding the words of Jesus in his own Aarmaic language. His words found in ancient texts offer us new understanding of his teachings familiar to us from Greek and Latin scriptural texts. Please join us by registering for the dates it is offered. This free opportunity is his gift to us, the followers of the teachings of Jesus.
— Joseph Kilikevice, OP, Shem Center Founding Director
A Free Video Event With Teacher and Scholar Neil Douglas-Klotz, PhD
Christmas Message — Br. Joseph Kilikevice, OP
Christmas is a time of wonder and delight for our children, unless you are those we see in bombed war zones we see on the news. We search for a place to ignore the heaviness of heart that invades our adult lives as we juxtapose the scene onto the relative safety of our own lives. How do we celebrate the holidays this year when viewing heartbreaking scenes of two children holding hands sitting in the rubble of their bombed out neighborhood. It strikes me that they were doing what any of us must do to live in a world of violence and destruction. Do what children do, simply hold onto each other.
Civil Disobedience — a loving response to human rights
Author: Kevin Kuhn
On November 14, 2025, myself and 20 other non-violent civil disobedience protesters were arrested outside the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Broadview, IL. Our 6 hours in a local Cook County Jail cell were minor compared to the trauma of our Chicagoland neighbors inside the ICE facility. Our neighbors and friends have had their lives disrupted forever after being abducted by ICE officers off our US streets.
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
Fighting Despair with Understanding
People may stop caring for the world when they feel that their caring goes nowhere. The good news is that the mounting of international pressure on the Israeli government has obtained some results, such as the allowing of humanitarian aid into Gaza. But what happens when our actions are not met with success and remain — as some would say — “merely symbolic”?
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.
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.
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.
News
Letter From Ukraine, September 14, 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.
A Meeting Remembered, Albert Nolan, O.P., 1934-2022
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.
Stephen Miller, new Assistant Director of Shem Center
With gratitude and anticipation Shem Center announces the appointment of Steve Miler to Shem Center’s staff as Assistant Director with Joe Kilikevice, its Founding Director. Steve’s involvement with Shem Center’s Male Spirit program for many years both as a participant and co-leader with Joe holds an impressive history of creative, joyful, profoundly moving and memorable sacred gatherings.
Welcome to Shem Center. Contact Us!
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.
