Meeting subject	„Between Religions and Ethics. A Common Ground”
Period	8–12 October 2011
Location	Zespół Szkół nr 31 im. Jana Kilińskiego – Warsaw, Poland
Participants	National College Octav Onicescu – Bucharest Instituto de Ensenanza Secundaria IES Santa Clara ES Yahya Turan Anadolu Ogretmen Lisesi TR Zespół Szkół nr 36 im. Jana Kilińskiego PL Pencho Slaveikov Comprehensive School No.1 BG

Programme:

Saturday (8 October) – Arrival of participants

Sunday (9 October)

09.00 – Participants meet in front of Zespół Szkół nr 31 im. Jana Kilińskiego
09.10 – Trip to Wilanów
10.30 – 11.00 - Visit to Warsaw mosque
11.15 – 13.15 - Visiting The Palace/Park Complex in Wilanów
13.30 – 14.00 – Visits to the Pantheon of Great Poles in the National Temple of Divine Providence and Museum of John Paul II and Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński
14.40 – 15.05 – Meeting at St. Anne’s Church at Krakowskie Przedmieście
15.20 – 16.50 – Traditional Polish meal
16.55 – 18.00 – Tour of the Old Town churches
18.05 – Students return to their Polish families’ homes, teachers return to the Pilgrim House “Amicus”

Monday (10 October)

09.00 – Head Teacher’s welcome speech
09.10 – Zespół Szkół nr 31 im. Jana Kilińskiego – film about our school

3. 09.15 – 09.50 - Major World Religions Quiz

4. 09.50 – 10.30 – Workshop – religious rules in the Universal Declaration of Human

Rights

5. 10.40 – 12.40 – Religious and mundane jewellery- ceramic and decoupage workshops;

6. 12.50 – 13.50 – Lunch

14.00 – 14.40 – SWOT analysis - evaluation of the first year of the project, project products and the results
14.45 – 15.35 - Structured discussion with the students –"How are students involved in all the project phases: implementation, dissemination, evaluation?"
15.40 - Students go to their Polish families’ homes
15. 45 – 17.00 – Teachers’ meeting – improving the project process
17.05 – Free time

Tuesday (11 October)

08.40 – Participants meet outside St. Stanisław Kostka Church
09.00 – 09.35 – A lesson about overcoming evil with good” - Visit to the Museum of Blessed Father Jerzy Popiełuszko
09.40 – Participants take the underground to Plac Bankowy
10.00 – 11.00 - Visit to Jewish Historical Institute – a lesson about the consequences of the violation of Human Rights

/Students/

11.05 – 12.00 – Students go to the Royal Łazienki Park by public transport
12.05 – 12.25 – Students walk from the monument of Fryderyk Chopin to the Palace on the Island
12.30 -13.30 – Free time in Łazienki Królewskie

/Teachers/

12.00 – 12.30 – Teachers take part in a meeting at the Department of Education for

Żoliborz District

12.35 – Teachers go to the Royal Łazienki Park and join students who are already

there

14.30 – 16,00 – Meal in a restaurant on Nowy Świat – the most popular street in Warsaw and the Certificate Ceremony
16.05 – Students return to their Polish families’ homes, teachers return to the Pilgrim House “Amicus”

Wednesday (12 October)

Departure of participants

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/religion/

Christianity, Islam and Judaism

Christianity is the largest religion in the world with over 2 billion followers.

Christianity is focussed on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe to be the Son of God. Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the Middle East over 2000 years ago.

The Christian holy book is the Bible. It is divided into the Old and New Testaments.

The New Testament explains how God sent his only son, Jesus Christ, to restore the broken relationship between people and God which had been caused by human wrong doing.

Jesus was executed on a cross (Crucifixion) as a criminal by the Romans, and according to Christian teaching after three days he rose from the dead (the Resurrection)

Christians believe that there is only one God, but that he is revealed in three different forms:

God the Father
God the Son
The Holy Spirit

Christians model themselves on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus taught people to love God and love their neighbour.

Many Christians worship in churches. Some groups meet in homes and other buildings. 'Church' means the gathering of Christians as well as the building in which Christians worship.
Their leaders are called priests or ministers.
Different ways of understanding Christian teachings has led to groups of Christians worshipping in different ways. These denominations include the Church of England, the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church and many others.
Many churches hold a service called Communion, Eucharist or Mass, in which bread and wine are shared together, just as Jesus did with his followers before his death.
Festivals:

Lent is the period of six weeks 40 days (not including Sundays) leading up to Easter, the most important festival in the Christian calendar.

Lent starts on Ash Wednesday in western Christian Churches. and climaxes during Easter Week. The last week of Lent is called Holy Week.

During the 40 days of Lent, Christians remember the time when Jesus went into the desert to fast and pray before beginning his work for God. During this time Jesus was tempted several times by Satan, but was able to resist.

Fasting

Lent is a time of giving things up. For Christians, it is one way of remembering the time Jesus' fasted in the desert and is a test of self-discipline.

There are many foods that some Christians do not eat in Lent, such as meat and fish, fats, eggs, and milky foods. Some Christians just give up something they really enjoy such as cakes or chocolate.

Shrove Tuesday

In western Christian churches, the day before Lent starts is Shrove Tuesday. This is also known as Pancake Day. This day was traditionally the last chance to use up the foods Christians would not be eating during Lent. Today people often give up chocolate or alcohol.

Festivities take place in many cities all over the world, including Mardi Gras in New Orleans (USA), Carnival in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and Venice (Italy). People dress up, wear masks, parade and dance in the streets.

Ash Wednesday

On Ash Wednesday many western Christian churches hold services during which Christians are marked on the forehead with a cross of ashes. This is a sign of saying sorry to God for any wrong doing (penitence) and mortality.

The ashes come from burning the palm crosses from Palm Sunday of the previous year.

Lent is a time of preparation for Ester ending in Holy Week.

Why is it called Lent?

Lent is an old English word meaning 'lengthen'. Lent is observed in spring, when the days begin to get longer.

What does Shrove mean?

Shrove Tuesday comes from the word to shrive which means to confess one's sins.

Why do people eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday?

Pancakes became associated with Shrove Tuesday as they were a dish that could use up all the eggs, fats and milk in the house with just the addition of flour.

Why do we have Easter eggs at Easter?

An egg is a symbol of new life. For Christians, Easter eggs are used as a symbol the resurrection of Jesus.
Christians believe that, through his resurrection, Jesus overcame death and sin and offers people the promise of eternal life if they follow his teachings.

Why does the date of Easter change from year to year?

The date of Easter Sunday varies from year to year because it is based on the lunar calendar. It is celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon, on or after March 21st.

Where does the word Christmas come from?

It comes from the words 'Christ' and 'mass'. 'Christ' means 'the chosen one' in Greek, and is used by Christians to describe Jesus as they believe he was chosen to be God's son. As for the '-mas' part, this refers to the 'mass' or church service held to thank God for the birth of Christ.

Why did the wise men bring Jesus those unusual gifts?

Although they are sometimes called kings, the Bible tells us they were actually just wise men. There is no record of how many of them there were, but tradition has it that there were only three because of the three gifts mentioned. The early church saw each of the gifts as representing different aspects of Jesus' character: the gold pointed to his royalty, the incense to his divine nature, while the myrrh hinted at his death to come as myrrh was essential for embalming dead bodies.
Easter is the most important festival in the Christian calendar. It celebrates the resurrection from the dead of Jesus, three days after he was executed. The Easter story is at the heart of Christianity.
Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday marks Jesus' resurrection.
After Jesus was crucified on the Friday (now known as Good Friday), his body was taken down from the cross, and buried in a cave tomb. The tomb was guarded by Roman Soldiers and an enormous stone was put over the entrance, so that no-one could steal the body.
On the Sunday, Mary Magdalene, followed later by some of Jesus' disciples visited the tomb and found that the stone had been moved, and that Jesus' body had gone.
Jesus himself was seen that day by Mary and the disciples, and for forty days afterwards by many people. His followers realised that God had raised Jesus from the dead. Christians call this the Resurrection.
The week leading up to Easter is called Holy Week.
Palm Sunday
This is the Sunday before Easter Day.
It is the first day of Holy Week and celebrates Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem riding on a donkey. Crowds of people came out of the city to greet him, throwing down palm branches on the road.
Anglican and Roman Catholic churches give out small crosses made from palm leaves, as a reminder of Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem and his death on the cross. Some Christians keep these in their homes all year as a symbol of their faith.
Maundy Thursday
This is the Thursday before Easter Day
Last Supper: On Maundy Thursday Christians remember when Jesus ate the Passover meal with his disciples, breaking bread and drinking wine, which is now known as the Last Supper.
Many Christians remember this by sharing bread and wine together in a service called Holy Communion, Eucharist or Mass. It is a reminder that Jesus sacrificed his life for mankind.
At this meal Jesus told his followers that they should love and serve one another. He demonstrated this by washing the feet of the disciples - something a servant would normally do. You can read this story in the Bible in John Ch.13v1-15
The word maundy comes from the command (mandate) given by Jesus at the Last Supper, that we should love one another.
Roman Catholic church services include a ceremony in which the priest washes the feet of 12 people to commemorate Jesus' washing the feet of his disciples.
Good Friday
Good Friday is the Friday before Easter Sunday. It commemorates the execution of Jesus by crucifixion.
Good Friday is a day of mourning in church. During special Good Friday services Christians remember Jesus' suffering and death on the cross, and what this means for their faith.
In some countries, there are special Good Friday processions, or re-enactments of the Crucifixion.
The main service on Good Friday takes place between midday and 3pm. In many churches it takes the form of a meditation based on the seven last words of Jesus on the cross, with hymns, prayers, and short sermons.
Hot cross buns, traditionally eaten on Good Friday, are steeped in superstition. Sharing one of these sticky, fruity treats is meant to cement friendships, which is as good an excuse as any to bake a batch.

Islam

Islam is the second largest religion in the world with over 1 billion followers.

The word 'Islam' in Arabic means submission to the will of God.

Followers of Islam are called Muslims. Muslims believe there is one true God Allah (the Arabic word for God)

Muslims believe that Islam was revealed over 1400 years ago in Mecca, Arabia through a man called Muhammad. Muhammad is so revered that it is usual for Muslims to say 'peace be upon him' whenever they mention his name.

Muhammad is believed by Muslims to be the last prophet sent by God (Allah) According to Muslims, God sent prophets to mankind to teach them how to live according to His law. Jesus (Isa), Moses (Musa) and Abraham (Ibrahim) are other respected prophets.

The Muslim holy book is called the Qur'an. Muslims believe this to be the word of Allah as dictated to Muhammad. They also have the Sunnah, which Muslims believe to be the practical example of Prophet Muhammad. Muslims follow the five basic Pillars of Islam. They are an essential part of Muslim life:

The Five Pillars of Islam are an essential part of Muslim life. These pillars are:

the declaration of faith (Shahada)
praying five times a day (Salat)
giving money to charity (Zakah)
fasting (Sawm)
a pilgrimage to Makkah at least once in a lifetime(Hajj)

Muslims worship in a building called a Mosque. On Friday at noon, the most important of the weekly services is held. When Muslims pray, they must always face Makkah.

What are some of the Muslim rites of passage?

Birth
When a baby is born, the Muslim call to prayer, known as the Adhan, ("God is great, there is no God but Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. Come to prayer.") is recited into the baby's right ear by the father.
The baby is given a taste of something sweet, so parents may chew a piece of date and rub the juice along the baby's gums. It was a practice carried out by the Prophet Muhammad and is believed to help the digestive systems get started.
After seven days the Aqeeqah ceremony is performed in which the baby's scalp is shaved of hair. This is to show that the child is the servant of Allah. Parents then weigh the hair and give the equivalent weight in silver to charity or distribute meat to the poor.
Baby boys are circumcised (although this can be done at any time up until puberty).

What is Zakat?

Zakat is the compulsory giving of 2.5% of a person's wealth to charity every year.
The purpose of this is to:

Help the poor
Help the giver to remember that everything comes from God (Allah) and is on loan - they do not own anything themselves
Help the giver to obey Allah
Help to free the person from the love of money and love of self.

Zakat is a form of worship and self-purification. It is the third pillar of Islam
There are strict guidelines which govern how any money given as Zakat is used.

Do all Muslims have to fast during Ramadan?

Certain people are exempt from taking part in the Ramadan fast. Children, the sick, the elderly, the mentally handicapped, and anyone who would be putting their health at serious risk by fasting are not obliged to do so during Ramadan.
There are also certain circumstances where people normally able to fast are unable to, such as when people are on a tiring journey or if a woman is pregnant, and in these instances the person must make up the fast at a later date, or provide meals to the needy in order to make up for breaking the fast.

When can Muslims eat and drink during Ramadan?

Muslims can eat and drink as long as the sun has set. It it sometimes said that the way to tell whether it is dark enough to break the fast is to hold up a white thread with a black thread outdoors and see if you can tell the difference between the two.

Why do the dates of Ramadan change each year?

The exact dates of Ramadan change every year because Islam uses a lunar calendar, which means that each month begins with the sighting of a new moon. Because lunar months are shorter than the solar months used elsewhere, Islamic holidays begin on different days each year.
The start of Ramadan comes around 11 days earlier each year according to the western Gregorian calendar, and consequently is not associated with any particular western month. For Muslims living in Britain, the fast may therefore be comparatively short if Ramadan falls during the winter months, or much longer if it occurs during the summer.

Where else do we find the story of Ibrahim and Isma'il?

The story of Ibrahim, known as Abraham by Jews and Christians, is a very significant one for followers of all three faiths. It appears in the Torah and the Bible, as well as the Qur'an. Ibrahim demonstrates true obedience to Allah as he comes so close to sacrificing his own son

More at http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/religion/

Judaism

Judaism has about 13 million followers throughout the world, mostly in USA and Israel. 267,000 people in the UK said that their religious identity was Jewish (2001 census).
Judaism originated in the Middle East over 3500 years ago.
Moses was the main founder of Judaism, but Jews can trace their history back as far as Abraham.
6 million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust in an attempt to wipe out Judaism.

Beliefs

Jews believe that there is only one God.
Jews believe they have a special agreement or covenant with God. In exchange for all the good that God has done for them, Jewish people keep God's laws and try to bring holiness into every aspect of their lives.
Judaism is a faith of action and Jews believe people should be judged not so much on what they believe as on the way they live their faith - by how much they contribute to the overall holiness of the world.

Holy Books

The most holy Jewish book is the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) which was revealed by God to Moses on Mount Sinai over 3,000 years ago.

The Torah, together with the Talmud (commentary on the Torah), give the Jewish people rules for everyday life. Observing these rules is central to the Jewish religion.

Worship

Jews worship in Synagogues

A Jewish Religious leader is called a Rabbi (literally 'teacher')

Shabbat (The Sabbath)

The family and community are very important within Jewish life.

The most important day of the week is Shabbat (the Sabbath). It is the day on which Jews remember the seventh day of creation on which God rested. On Shabbat Jews stop working and make time for God and family life.

Shabbat starts on Friday evening and ends at sunset on Saturday.

Shabbat begins with the family sharing a meal.

During Shabbat, services are held at the synagogue, often led by a Rabbi.

Jewish festivals

The most important Jewish festivals are:

Jewish symbols

The emblem of the Jewish people is the Magen David (Shield of David), also known as the Star of David.

How do you become a Jew?

Some Jews believe that you are Jewish if your mother is Jewish or you convert according to the Orthodox tradition. Others believe that you are Jewish if either your mother or father is Jewish, or you convert according to the Progressive tradition.

Why are the Jewish prayers in Hebrew?

Hebrew is the Biblical term for Israelite, and is the word used for the language of the Bible and of modern Israel.

Do Jewish people watch TV on Shabbat (the Sabbath)?

Some Jews do and some don't. Orthodox Jews keep the seventh day for spiritual and physical rest based on the Biblical teaching: 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy'. Shabbat is a weekly reminder that God created the world. Usual everyday activities are replaced by a 25 hour period of prayer, study, festive meals and song.

What rites of passage are marked in Judaism?

Brit Milah (the Jewish words for 'Covenant of Circumcision') is celebrated when a baby boy is eight days old, although this can be postponed for medical reasons. This is when the baby is named. Girls are blessed and named the first time the parents attend the synagogue after the birth. Children are often given a name in the memory of a deceased loved one.
Bar Mitzvah (Son of the Commandment) is celebrated when a boy reaches the age of 13 and Bat Mitzvah (Daughter of the Commandment) and is celebrated when a girl reaches the age of 12. Both girls and boys promise to keep the Commandments.

What do the different types of food on the Seder plate symbolise?

The lamb bone symbolises the sacrifice brought to the temple in Jerusalem on the afternoon before Passover.
The egg is another symbol of sacrifice but also has another meaning. Food usually becomes soft when cooked, but eggs become harder. So the egg symbolises the Jews' determination not to give up their beliefs while they were slaves in Egypt.
The lettuce dipped in salt water is a reminder of the slaves tears.
The bitter herbs symbolise the bitter suffering of the Israelites in Egypt.
The charoset represents the mortar used by the Israelites to make bricks while enslaved in Egypt.
Four cups of wine remind Jews of the four times God promised freedom to the Israelites, and to symbolise liberty and joy.

Why isn't Rosh Hashanah celebrated in January?

The Hebrew months do not correspond with the Western calendar generally used in the West. Rosh Hashanah is celebrated in accordance with the Book of Leviticus in the Hebrew Bible: 'In the seventh month on the first day of the month shall be a solemn rest to you, a memorial proclaimed with the blast of horns.' (Lev. XXIII, 24)

What's the significance of the special Rosh Hashanah foods?

The apples dipped in honey and the sweet carrot stew are symbols of the sweet New Year that people hope lies ahead.
The Shabbat Hallah (or Challah) bread will be made in a circle instead of its usual plait, symbolising the circle of life and the year, as well as the hope that the New Year will roll round smoothly.
The pomegranate often found on the table contains 613 seeds, a reminder to the Jews of the 613 commandments in the Hebrew Bible.

Why isn't Yom Kippur on the same day each year?

Yom Kippur is ten days after Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year and takes place on the ninth Day of the Hebrew month of Tishri.
In the Jewish calendar the months are based on the moon and the years on the sun, which means that Jewish festivals move about the Western calendar from year to year.
Yom Kippur falls in September or October.

What is the shofar and why is it used?

The shofar is a ram's horn which is blown to signal the start of the Days of Awe, when Jewish people think about all they have done in the past year and ask forgiveness from God. The shofar is blown again to mark the end of this period on the day of Yom Kippur.
Hanukkah is a special time for children. Gifts and Hanukkah money are exchanged. Some families give a small present on each of the eight nights of Hanukkah.
Children and adults play with a spinning top called a dreidel. This cube-shaped dice has a Hebrew letter on each side. To begin the game, each player has 10-20 objects, often raisins or sweets. Each person puts one object in the middle. Then each person takes a turn at spinning the dreidel. The letter that the dreidel shows when it has finished spinning determines whether they win or lose the stake.

Hanukkah food

Hanukkah is a great time for eating delicious foods. Some dishes have special significance, such as latkes (a kind of potato fritter), pancakes and doughnuts. This is because they are fried in oil and so Jewish people remember the miracle of the oil lasting eight days in the temple.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Monday, November 14, 2011

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Friday, October 21, 2011

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Wednesday, June 1, 2011