Presented by Imam Gazmend Aga, Monsignor Joseph Donnelly and Rabbi Eric Polokoff
The New York Times columnist David Brooks recently confessed to having two burning questions that come to mind as he reflects upon the current state of affairs in our country and world: “Why are people so sad?” and “Why are people so mad?”. Those questions have led him to acknowledge the need all people have for something to believe in and something to hope in. We believe that our religious faith offers that resource to us. Join the Three Amigos, Rabbi Eric Polokoff, Father Joe Donnelly and Imam Gazmend Aga as they reflect on the resources for real hope and repair that each of their religious traditions offer. The day will offer participants quiet time to consider what the Three Amigos speak about as well as the opportunity to ask them questions.
$30 | Lunch Included
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The health and safety of our guests and staff are of paramount importance to us. We follow the COVID-19 guidelines provided by the State of Connecticut and the CDC. If Wisdom House is forced to close to comply with the guidelines issued by the State of Connecticut or the CDC, we will return all funds received to date.
Rabbi Eric Polokoff is the founding Rabbi of B’nai Israel of Southbury, serving the congregation since 1997. He is active in Jewish and general communities, particularly as a leader within the Anti-Defamation League, the Connecticut Community Foundation and the Southbury Clergy Association. Rabbi Eric was educated at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, where he received Rabbinic Ordination in 1990, as well as at Yale Divinity School and the Johns Hopkins University. He and his wife are the parents of two adult daughters.
Imam Gazmend Aga is Imam of the Albanian American Community in Waterbury and a University Chaplain at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield. Recently Imam Gazi is also serving as a Correctional Chaplain. He was Vice Chairman of the Muslim Community of Albania, a lecturer at Beder University, school director and an interfaith activist in Albania. Active in interreligious discussion throughout the region, he lives in Waterbury with his wife and two young children.
Monsignor Joseph Donnelly is a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Hartford. He received his theological education at the Gregorian University in Rome and was ordained there in 1971. He did further studies in Christian Spirituality at Creighton University in Omaha. He has served in several parishes in the archdiocese and as a member of the priestly formation faculty at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield and the North American College in Rome. He also served as Chair of the Board of Directors of St. Vincent DePaul Mission of Waterbury and as Episcopal Vicar for the Western region of the archdiocese. Father Joe currently serves at St. Thomas More Catholic Center at Yale University and regularly leads retreats for various groups of clergy and laity.
Rabbi Eric, Imam Gazi and Father Joe have been good friends, advocating for interfaith understanding and spiritual awareness. They have given talks offering their unique and shared perspectives on issues of concern at local religious gatherings as well as at the Osher Adult Learning Center at the Waterbury UCONN. In this shared ministry, they have become known in the Waterbury region as “The Three Amigos”.