About All Faiths Seminary International
“Now is the time for me to rise up and be all that I am.”
Our Mission Statement
GOD IS ONE
All Faiths Seminary International is committed to fostering, respecting, and honoring the integrity of the individual and their unique inner spiritual search and path. We welcome students from all faiths and all spiritual traditions, including those who do not practice or follow a particular religious tradition.
“Never instead of, always in addition to.”
—Rabbi Joseph Gelberman
Seminary Emblem
The single leaf in the center of the photo represents the single parts in our body: the mind, the heart, the mouth and the sex organs. The four leaves on each side of the single leaf in the logo represent the four parts of the human body in pairs: the two feet, two arms, two ears and two eyes.
Where there is unity among the four single parts – that is, the mind thinks in a positive way, the mouth speaks the truth, the heart is filled with love, and the sex organ is used in collaboration with spirit – then the feet will take us to the right places, the arms will be used to embrace, the ears will hear the inner still voice, and the eyes will see the Glory of God made manifest in our lifetime. Like the kundalini, the trunk rises upward and takes its strength from the major teachings of Truth, as represented by the three major religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. But, always, no matter what faith we practice or by what name we call God, God is One.
The Seminary’s Commitment to Its Students
At All Faiths Seminary International, we are dedicated to training modern ministers who are grounded in an interfaith approach. Founded in 1999 by Rabbi Joseph Gelberman and inspired by the ancient schools of wisdom, our seminary continues the interfaith traditions established by Rabbi Gelberman and Rev. Jon Mundy over three decades ago. Our hundreds of graduates over the past decade stand as testaments to the efficacy and depth of our training.
Our Philosophy: In our fast-paced world, we remain committed to the spiritual and religious well-being of each student. We honor the integrity of each individual’s inner journey, respecting all paths that deepen relationships with the divine and the pursuit of goodness, including atheistic approaches to human wellbeing. We welcome students from all faiths and spiritual viewpoints, encouraging open dialogue and mutual discovery in all religions and spiritual schools of thought.
Our Programs: Our curriculum is designed to prepare students to lead worship services and other group activities, grounding them in practical ministry skills. Graduates of our Minister’s program are ordained as Interfaith Ministers, fully qualified to register legally as clergy.
Beyond Graduation: Our graduates find roles in diverse settings such as hospitals, hospices, and potentially in prison chaplaincy, as well as serving as spiritual counselors in private practice. They contribute to interfaith service projects both locally and globally, embodying our belief in peer leadership and grassroots spiritual expression. Many choose to minister through artistic expressions such as writing spiritual books or engaging in ministries through art, music, and song.
Our Unique Approach: We emphasize practical service over traditional clerical functions, preparing ministers whose contributions are profound and direct. This approach distinguishes our curriculum from more traditional seminary programs, which often focus primarily on administrative and organizational skills.
At All Faiths Seminary International, we would be honored to accompany you on your spiritual journey, helping you to discover and follow your own unique path.
Religions Studied at All Faiths Seminary International
At All Faiths Seminary International, the study of various religions and spiritual practices equips our students with what Rabbi Gelberman described as “the key to unlock the doors of all religions.” All religious and spiritual healing practices are led by experienced practitioners, fostering an environment of discussion and exploration of interfaith connections.
Featured Faiths and Philosophies:
- Baha’i: “Blessed and happy is he that ariseth, to promote the best interests of the people and kindreds of the earth.” — Bahá’u’lláh
- Buddhism: “All know the way, but few actually walk it.” — Bodhidharma; “I give the gift of Forgiveness”
- Christianity: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I shall give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble at heart, and you will find rest for your souls; for my yoke is easy and my burden is light…Doubt not . . . Fear not . . . Judge not . . . Love one another.” —Gospels
- A Course in Miracles: “Heaven is not a place or a condition. It is merely an awareness of perfect oneness.”
- Hinduism: “There is nothing noble about being superior to some other man. The true nobility is in being superior to your previous self.” — Hindu Proverb
- Islam: “None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.” — Mohammad
- Judaism and Kabbalah: “A mortal lives not through that breath that flows in and then flows out. The source of his life is another, and this causes the breath to flow.” — Kabbalah
- Indigenous Mysticism and Shamanism: “We have a will toward mystery, a yearning greater even than our will to live. And lucky, too, because our will to live, our grasping at life, is killing us. The will toward mystery is our homesickness for God.” — Stephen Levine; “He (the Shaman) is a self-reliant explorer of the endless mansions of a magnificent hidden universe.” — The Way of the Shaman
- Sufism: “I searched for God and found only myself. I searched for myself and found only God.” — Sufi Proverb
- Taoism: “Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.” — Tao Proverb
- Wicca: “Do what you will as long as it harms none.” — Wiccan Rede
“Like the bee gathering honey from the different flowers, the wise person accepts the essence of the different scriptures and sees only the good in all religions.”
—Mahatma Gandhi
At All Faiths Seminary International, our curriculum is designed to embrace and explore the full diversity of the human study of divinity, enriching the spiritual journey and collective effectiveness of each student in their efforts to uplift their world.
Our Seminary is dedicated to training modern ministers who are grounded in an interfaith approach. Founded in 1999 by Rabbi Joseph Gelberman and inspired by the ancient schools of wisdom, our seminary continues the interfaith traditions established by Rabbi Gelberman and Rev. Jon Mundy over three decades ago. Our graduates, numbering in the hundreds over the past ten years, are testament to the efficacy and depth of our training.