Student Leadership & Activities

Student Organizations

Religious Groups

Spiritual Life Welcome

The Office of Spiritual Life at Simmons facilitates the spiritual development and needs of students, provides and coordinates activities to promote human development and leadership skills, encourage the development of a sacred consciousness and social responsibility, make available opportunities for students to serve people in need through community service, offer referrals to local houses of worship, offer a listening ear, and provide opportunities for interfaith, inter-cultural and inter-generational programming and dialogue.

Students are welcome to stop by the Office of Spiritual Life during office hours or to schedule an appointment with any of the Chaplains and Advisors.  Please visit us at our office in the Main College Building, Room W009.

The Staff of the Office of Spiritual Life, Main College Building (MCB), W009

Ailene Gerhardt
Hillel Director
(617) 521-2137
ailene.gerhardt@simmons.edu 
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday

Mary Lahaj
Chaplain to the Muslim Community 
(617) 521-2124
mary.lahaj@simmons.edu 
Wednesday, Thursday

Jen Roy
Chaplain to the Catholic Community
(617) 521-2468
jen.roy@simmons.edu 
Monday, Thursday

Melinda Weekes
Chaplain to the Protestant Community
(617) 521-2167
melinda.weekes@simmons.edu 
Thursday

EID-UL-FITR, October 1, 2008, 1429 A.H.

MUSLIMS LOOKING FORWARD TO
A MAJOR HOLIDAY

EID-UL-FITR, OCTOBER 1ST 2008, 1429 A.H.

Assalama Alaikum: Peace and Blessings be upon you.
May you and your loved ones enjoy the blessings of family, friends, and community as we near completion of the blessed month of Ramadan.

After fasting for 30 consecutive days, from sunrise to sunset, Muslims all over the world will welcome a three-day celebration, the Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan. This year the celebration will begin in our region on **October 1st.

Like any holiday, there are certain traditions to follow. First and foremost, is the tradition of paying the zakat, or almsgiving to the poor.  Like fasting, zakat is another pillar of Islam. Zakat must be paid before the end of Ramadan. 

Zakat is an Arabic word meaning, "to purify." In the religious sense, zakat is a means of purifying what bounties God has given us. Muslims are therefore obligated annually to share a portion of their wealth with those less fortunate. Until the zakat is paid, fasting is not accepted by God.

A Simple Formula for Paying the Zakat:

1. For those who have assets and savings, take 2.5% of their worth and donate that to the cause of your choice: the homeless in Boston, the starving in Africa, your local mosque, your neighbor, or any number of transparent charitable organizations that you know are using your money for good causes.
2. For those who do not have assets or savings, take your income, deduct your expenses, and whatever there is left over, take 2.5% of that and donate it.
3. For those who have no income whatsoever, you do not have to donate any of your money.  You can donate your time to charitable organizations, to shelters and soup kitchens, at the mosque, etc.
4. For those who have not been able to fast due to illness, age, or for whatever reason that is between you and God, donate $5.00 for every day you did not fast.
5. For those who want to pay zakat before prayer, the minimum zakat -ul-fitr is $8-$10 per person in the family that you head.

The Eid-ul-Fitr begins with an early morning prayer in congregation at a mosque. Muslims dress in their finest clothes and exchange gifts and cards. After the morning prayers, people celebrate at parties in homes or at larger venues.

The most common greetings on the Eid are: "Eid Mubarek," "Blessed Eid," "Happy Eid," and, "May Allah (God) accept your fast." You might be surprised to learn that, despite the arduous month of fasting, praying, and very little sleep, most Muslims are quite let down when Ramadan ends. May Allah grant us another Ramadan and an excellent year to come. Ameen.

**Eid could be held on Sept. 30th, according to the tradition of sighting the new moon.

Ramadan Information 2008

To: Students, Faculty, and Staff, SIMMONS COLLEGE
Re: The Holy Month of Ramadan, September 1, 2008-October 1st (1429 A.H.)

Ramadan, a month of fasting for Muslims, comes 10 days earlier every year. This year, it begins on September 1st and ends October 1st.  A big holiday (Eid-ul-Fitr) follows, on October 1st and 2nd. 

IS FASTING NEW?  No. Fasting is one of the religious practices shared by Muslims, Christians, and Jews. The Day of Atonement is a day of fasting in the Jewish tradition, when Moses received the second tablets of the law from God. Historically, Lent is the forty-day fast before Easter. Muslims believe that it was during Ramadan, while the Prophet Muhammad was fasting, that the Qur'an was first revealed to him. 

HOW DO MUSLIMS OBSERVE THE HOLY MONTH?  They abstain from food and drink (including water) from dawn until sunset.  Muslims break the fast with friends and family at sunset, offer evening prayers, and read the Qur'an as much as possible. Before dawn, it is traditional to wake up and eat breakfast. At dawn, the fast starts again—and this pattern continues for thirty consecutive days. 

WHO IS EXEMPT FROM FASTING?  Women are exempt from fasting and praying during the monthly menses, if nursing, or when pregnant. Children are exempt, and while they are traveling, adults can postpone fasting.  Exemptions include those who are ill, on medication, and the elderly.  Despite these exemptions and requirements, the decision to fast is always a personal one of faith.

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF FASTING?  When a person says "NO" to food and water, she learns self-restraint. Without water, some prefer to curb physical activities or over-exertion. Fasting all day, staying up late to pray, and waking up early for breakfast, can be exhausting and have a cumulative effect in a month. When handing out due dates, assignments, tests, and projects, etc., it would be good to consider these effects on students, and whenever possible, be somewhat flexible.
 
ARE THERE ANY DIETARY NEEDS?  Muslims break their fast (iftar) at sunset on certain traditional foods like dates. Sunset prayer follows, and then dinner. A special Ramadan Table will be set up in Bartol Lounge (9/3/08-9/30/08) with information about Ramadan, sunset prayers will be located in Bartol Small, and halal meat will be provided every night. Bagged breakfasts are also available in Bartol and can also be ordered online: http://my.simmons.edu/services/business/dining/bartol.shtml

FASTING IS MORE THAN JUST ABSTAINING FROM FOOD & DRINK
For health reasons, it's important that teachers, advisors, and students do not confuse Ramadan with a program for losing weight, and students should not continue to fast after sunset. The unique experience of fasting is first and foremost, a spiritually gratifying one. It is a sacred time for frequent praying and reading Qur'an. While hunger and thirst increase a compassion for the poor and the needy, it can also cause tempers to flare. So, an excellent Ramadan includes having good manners and giving generously to the poor. It is also a time to build strong community ties. At local colleges and universities, Muslims gather together every night at sunset, hosting dinners that are free for Muslims and non-Muslims alike.  This year, SIS will host evening prayers (taraweeh) in MCB, # C218, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 PM- 9:00 PM, beginning 9/9/08.

WHEN ARE MUSLIM HOLIDAYS?  HOW MANY ARE THERE?  AND WHAT DO MUSLIMS DO?  At the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate the first of two religious holidays in Islam, Eid-ul-Fitr (October 1st & 2nd).  The second holiday, Eid-ul-Adha, is celebrated at the end of the pilgrimage to Mecca (in December this year).  Faculty can expect students to miss class on these two holidays.  Students need time to travel to a mosque or go home. Celebrations entail early morning congregational prayers, giving money to the poor, dressing up, exchanging presents and cards, baking special desserts, and eating, eating, eating!  The Eids (holidays) are usually three-day celebrations, but students generally choose one day to celebrate and miss class. At this time, you can say, "Happy Eid!"  It is our hope that Muslim students will not be penalized for absence during the two religious holidays. 

PLANNING A PROGRAM IN THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER? If you are planning a lunch, tea, party, refreshments, BBQ, etc., please be aware that Muslim students, staff, and faculty, while observing Ramadan, will not be able to eat until sunset.  Also, it is best to avoid scheduling events that will go beyond the sunset hour, because at sunset, fasting people will just want to eat!  FYI: Any kind of pork is forbidden in Islam, all the time.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT RAMADAN:  Contact the Muslim Chaplain in the Spiritual Life Office, or at EXT # 5124, mary.lahaj@simmons.edu. Or visit www.islamicity.com for more information.

Thank you for your time and consideration.  Your cooperation is deeply appreciated and certain to enhance the religious life of Muslims students, staff, and faculty at Simmons College.

 

Baha'i Campus Association

The Baha'i Campus Association aims to promote the teachings of the Baha'i Faith through educational, social, and community service activities. These teachings include the equality of women and men, the elimination of all forms of prejudice, the harmony of science and religion, and the importance of universal education. The BCA is open to students of all religions and backgrounds who want to promote unity in diversity on campus and beyond.

President:
Jenuese Geula

Meeting times and Locations:
Wednesday 12:30 pm Java City


FOCUUS (Fellowship of Campus Unitarian Universalists at Simmons)

"We seek to be a vibrant, sustainable, and accountable young adult and campus ministry movement. By striving to be radically inclusive, spiritually alive, and justice centered, we further our mission to transform Unitarian Universalism and the world. We work to claim our history and identity, cultivate visionary leadership, and eliminate oppression. Our community honors profound mystery and celebrates life with inspirational worship and revolutionary ministry."

-C*UUYAN Mission Statement

The purpose of FOCUUS is to build a community that seeks to be spiritually alive, radically inclusive, and justice centered and support its members in living their Unitarian Universalist values.

President:
Heather Concannon


Hillel

Simmons College Hillel is the Jewish Community organization on campus. It is our goal to educate the community on Judaism by providing various social, educational, cultural, and religious activities.

Director:
Ailene Gerhardt

Meeting times and Locations: TBA


Simmons Islamic Society

The Simmons College Islamic Society (formerly the Muslim Students Association) is a student organization which focuses on establishing a comfortable environment for the Muslim community within the institution. We not only work to meet hte needs, both social and religious of our felow sisters, but also work towards meeting the needs of our religious and non-religious communities at large.

President: Yusra Khan
Vice President: Saira Ashraf
Co-Secretary: Sarah Khalil
Co-Secretary: Maria Zaman
Treasurer: Saba Chowdhry
Advisor: Michelle Vital



Simmons Christian Fellowship

Simmons Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational Christian community affiliated with Real Life Boston and Campus Crusade for Crhist International. We seek to encourage other Christians on campus as well as create a safe space for spiritual discussion and growht for those exploring faith. We host weekly life groups, attend events on and off campus, and host events that help further our mission on campus.

President: Amy Eicher
Vice President: Emily Richarde
Treasurer: Marine Vallet
Advisor: Erin O'Connor