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.
A Call To Sacred Leadership
FROM JOE KILIKEVICE, FOUNDING DIRECTOR EMERITUS
The Board of Trustees of Shem Center for Interfaith Spirituality is seeking a Director with a commitment to the ongoing presence of Shem Center in today’s world. We live in a time of conflict, division, violence, and injustice – realities that demand clarity of purpose and faithfulness to mission. In such times, dialogue and collaboration with others who understand and share our commitment are critical.
I, as the Founding Director Emeritus hand forward the Shem Center vision and history to others committed to this sacred work. The Shem Center Board of Trustees seeks a leader who can facilitate these efforts with clarity, humility, and generosity of spirit.
Reflections From Shem Center
Attorney assistance with the Director Contract
The Shem Center for Interfaith Spirituality continues to prepare for the hiring of a new Director to assist the Board of Trustees with continuing and expanding the Shem Center programs to serve its mission.
We are seeking an attorney with experience in EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTING for Not-for-Profit / Faith Based Organizations. We need review of our materials and help to pursue the best possible process for the selection, hiring, and on-boarding of a new Director.
If you are able to assist us or have information on a trusted source for this help, please contact Board of Trustees Chair John Brown at johnfbrown99@gmail.com.
Kind and Gentle Souls around the World
My cat vanished for three days and came back wearing a handwritten bill like he’d opened a secret tab across the neighborhood. Muffin was sitting on my porch like nothing had happened.
Three days gone. No note. No shame. No apology. Just my big orange cat, licking one paw like he’d spent the weekend at a spa, with a folded piece of paper tied to his collar using blue ribbon. I thought maybe he was hurt.
Then I untied the note.
Cleveland Men’s Circle — a brief history
The very first Male Spirit Retreat in Cleveland opened October 21, 2005 at St. Joseph Christian Life Center.
In the followup after, men wanted to maintain the feelings, the experiences, the connections. And formed three “Circles” — which began to meet biweekly.
Today, January 27, 2026 is the Twentieth Anniversary of the founding of what started as Friday, then moved to Tuesday, and is now the Wednesday Morning Men’s Circle: January 27, 2006!
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
A letter from my religious order, the Dominicans in Ukraine
Dear sisters, dear brothers,
“I am trying to remember how it was before the war. It is so hard,” said Father Misha when we ran into each other at the door of our warehouse filled with humanitarian supplies. He seemed to be surprised by his own emotions. It was a beautiful sunny day in Kherson with a chill in the air. Yet as we were unloading multiple tons of flour by hand, we couldn’t feel the cold. Similarly, we didn’t pay much attention to the repeated sound of distant explosions that we could hear from this frontline city of southern Ukraine. The flour we brought was for the bakery and kitchen which supply the people in need and are run by the House of Saint Martin de Porres. Every morning they make hundreds of loaves of bread. The bakery workers had quickly learned to bake the finest bread, rolls, and sweet pastries. We all do everything we can to make sure that what we hand out to the city’s citizens is of the highest quality.
Illinois Governor, JB Pritzker – The Forces That Assault Us
Friends,
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 and 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
A letter from my religious order, the Dominicans in Ukraine
Dear sisters, dear brothers,
“If we truly trust God, then maybe this most stupid war in the world will come to an end. I came because the Pope wanted me to be with you during this Christmas time,” said Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the papal almoner, while in Fastiv the day before Christmas Eve. This was already his second visit to Fastiv since the beginning of the full-scale war. This time we celebrated together with the people from the refugee house, the members of the Dominican family, and the volunteers and friends from the St. Martin de Porres Center. “I want to share with you joy because God is born, and he brings peace. Let’s hope that this is the last Christmas of wartime.”
Welcome to Shem Center. Contact Us!
Shem Center for Interfaith Spirituality
708 North Harvey Avenue
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 427-9905
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.
