University Communications and Marketing

MSUB hosts ‘Listening Conversations for the Repair of the World’

Tikun Olam panel presentations begin Feb. 21

University Communications and Marketing, 657-2266

MSU BILLINGS NEWS—Three panel presentations around three significant themes will take place at MSU Billings this spring. Each discussion will consider efforts to create a just world and work towards the “Repair of the World” (Tikun Olam). For each “conversation,” panelists will offer their perspectives and insights from their respective traditions and participate in a dialogue with their partner and a facilitated discussion with those present. The schedule is as follows:

Thursday, Feb. 21: Sacred Texts as Guiding Principles for Healing a World

• Erik Uriarte, from Congregation Beth Aaron, is studying for Rabbinic ordination in Hebrew Letters and Rabbinic Studies from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles.
• Dr. Ambrin Masood, Assistant Professor of Counseling and Rehabilitation at MSUB, is a statewide presenter on “Cultural Diversity and Muslims in America.”

Thursday, March 28: Justice and Activism: Faith-Based Traditions Constructing Pathways for Change

• Mike Mulberry is co-pastor of First Congregational Church-Billings and co-organizer of Sanctuary Rising, an organization that advocates for immigrant and refugee rights.
• Uri Barnea, a native of Israel and naturalized U.S. citizen, is a musician, Rabbi (ret.), and educator in the Billings community.

Thursday, April 11: Sources for Caring for Creation: Local and Global Geographies and Concerns

• Walter Runsabove is Northern Cheyenne, Oglala Sioux, Red Bottom Nakoda, and a local cultural specialist. He is also Program Director for the MSUB Native American Achievement Center.
• Marya Grathwold, OSF, is a Franciscan Sister and founder of Earth Hope. She has lived and worked for over 23 years with the Northern Cheyenne, Crow and African-American communities.

All “Conversations” will take place at MSU Billings in the Liberal Arts Building room 205, between 12:15 and 1:30 p.m. on these scheduled dates. They are free and open to students, faculty, staff, and the local community. Refreshments will be provided, and parking will be free and available at the West Rimrock Lot.

The “Listening Conversations” are funded by The Olga Lengyl Institute for Holocaust Students and Human Rights (TOLI) and are organized by Dr. Rebecca Berru Davis from the MSUB Department of English, Philosophy, and Modern Languages in collaboration with Dwight Welch of United Campus Ministry. 

For more information about the event, contact Dr. Rebecca Berru Davis, rebecca.davis6@msubillings.edu or Dwight Welch, dwelch@msubillings.edu.