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Community Corner

Huda Shanawani: The Drew Institute on Religion & Conflict Resolution

Syrian-born Huda Shanawani served as a translator
for Drew University’s peace seminar last summer. She will describe what
transpired there and what is happening in her homeland. The Arab Spring had
brought hope and dreams for democratic freedom to this artist/teacher, yet the
events that are currently taking place in Syria have brought back memories of
the fear that she grew up with. She said, “Living in the U.S. leaves me
physically distant yet mentally and emotionally connected to the Syrian people
every moment they are fighting for their rights to live a free, democratic life.”



Born and raised in Damascus, Syria, Shanawani came
to live in the United States when she was 16 with her new husband. She finished
her college education while raising four children and learned everything she
could from what the free culture of America offered.



She has been translating for the official courts of
New Jersey for the past 32 years. This led her to be the lead translator for
Drew’s peace seminar this past June and July in Madison, New Jersey.

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Teaching Arabic privately for many years led
Shanawani to her starting the Arabic program at Union County College after
receiving her Master’s Degree. She has been teaching Arabic at the college for
the last four years.



While pursuing her undergraduate degree at Montclair
State University, she took a jewelry-making course and was immediately
captivated by the act of creating art objects by hand. That experience led her
to study painting, fiber art, and ultimately, ceramics. She obtained her Master’s
Degree in ceramics at Montclair State.

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Huda frequently returns to Damascus to visit family.
The culture, customs, and visual images of her native land inform her work with
references to the vivid landscapes and vibrant cities she grew up with.



The
Ethical Culture Society of Essex County is a progressive non-theist religion
dedicated to living ethically in a complex world. Founded in l876 and
established in Maplewood in l945, over the years the ethical culture movement
(known as The American Ethical Union) has been instrumental in launching
Planned Parenthood, the NAACP, Visiting Nurses, New York Settlement House,
Fieldston School, and National Ethical Service at the UN. The Society began a
long-running Ethics for Children program and most recently, Time Essex Exchange
(a time bank facilitating the exchange of services) among other initiatives.
The Maplewood Society was the first peace site in the country. Its motto is: to
act so as to bring out the best in ourselves by bringing out the best in
others.  



Contact
information: 973-763-1905; www.essexethical.org. Join us for weekly programs,
discussions, and fellowship Sundays at 11 am. All are welcome.

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