- Rev. Natalia deRezendes, Master's Student, All Faiths Seminary International Class of 2021
Dear Rabbi Stewart Paris, I am writing this gratitude letter to you on the eve of Rosh Hashanah. It says here in Wikipedia that the biblical name for this holiday is Yom Teruah (יוֹם תְּרוּעָה) which literally means “day of shouting or blasting”. I was ordained by The New Seminary in 2009, and recipient of a Masters’ in Divinity from All Faiths Seminary International 2021. I am hereby desiring to “shout and blast forth “to you, Rabbi Paris, words of gratitude for this past year at All Faiths Seminary International. Forever grateful am I to our Rev Dr. Jon Mundy who led me to Rev. Kathleen Regan who listened to “my story” and encouraged me to enroll in my Masters’ studies at All Faiths Seminary International. Grateful to Rev. Kathleen am I for having given me Dr. Anita Archer as mentor, indeed a teacher of teachers, with whom I had wondrous opportunity to grow so very much in this septuagenarian vintage. From last September’s class when I first heard you, Rabbi Paris, lecture to us on the Jewish High Holidays, I knew that God/Universe had brought me to my Divine Right Place. Your moving charismatic stories of your long time friendship with our founder, Rabbi Joseph Gelberman and your brilliant heart felt knowledge and delivery of Judaic teachings and practice allowed me to know, from day one, last September, that I had been given the gift of a lifetime. In gratitude.
- Rev. Elena Verigo, Postgrad with Ordination Interfaith Minister Programme & Comparative Religion, All Faiths Seminary International I didn’t want a dry course that would compare facts and figures, or even the historical/political/philosophical similarities/differences between religions in a detached sort of way. I wanted to be taught about different religions in such a way that I would fall in love with each one of those.
This is exactly what happened to me when I did my Comparative Religions track at All Faiths Seminary International. It suited me as a distance student as you can do it remotely as well as with physical attendance. It was actually an inter-faith minister programme (you get ordained by the end of it), but I’d recommend it to anyone with a passion for religious studies. A believer, an atheist and anyone in between. For The Training of Interfaith Ministers – All Faiths Seminary International
- Rev. Barbara Dominick, MS, RMT, Sanctuary of Divine Light, All Faiths Seminary International Class of 2008 It’s been 10 years since my ordination and my magical journey. I was led to All Faiths Seminary International, where I found beautiful and inspiring information, and an interesting quote: “Never instead of, Always in addition to”. I went to a Friday night service where I met Rabbi Gelberman. He looked like a human angel. I knew I was in the right place. My life was changed.
I completed the course work, but the wisdom came from Rabbi, the staff, and fellow seminarians. My final project was around my healing services. The retreat was wonderful. Rabbi’s wisdom kept me focused. The intent was not to regurgitate information, but rather to share our spiritual learnings. It was a sacred event with Rabbi Gelberman anointing each one of us.
I met with Rabbi sharing my dilemma about what to do with my ministry. He told me I was already doing my ministry. His angelic gaze embraced my face; “So, what are you doing on Sundays?” That was my aha moment! I contacted a massage therapist I knew and discussed starting a Reiki healing circle.
During seminary I was also participating in a Reiki circle. Fully awake, I’d hear a voice, other than my own, speaking about deep spiritual events. I was consciously channeling. This eventually led to channeled messages in my healing circle.
Last year the light of the Angels came into my life. Their light and energy are palpable and can be felt by my clients during healing sessions.I’m most grateful for my experience at seminary. The love and support I receive from all of my Revie sisters is one of the amazing miracles in my life. It paved the way for me to start loving myself.
With the light of the Angels, my ministry is indeed, “Sanctuary of Divine Light”. No matter my location, divine light is ever present. My healing services bring me joy. My energy healing supports people in their own sacred journeys.
- Rev. Susanna Stefanachi MacombAfter years of being a practicing ordained interfaith minister, I completed the Masters Program at All Faiths Seminary International. It was a thoroughly fulfilling and joyful experience. Part of the experience and inspiration is the quality of your community. Two of my classmates were Rev. Dr. Kathleen Reagan and an Ordained Episcopal Priest, both who remain close to my heart and spirit. That year also provided a focus for my second book as it was the subject of my thesis. Now coming full circle, I sometimes speak at All Faiths Seminary International classes. Invisible hands have guided my path in the most loving and holistic way, a path that includes All Faiths Seminary International. Thank you, All Faiths Seminary International!”-Rev. Susanna Stefanachi Macomb, Ordained Interfaith Minister, Author or Joining Hands and Hearts, Interfaith, Intercultural Wedding Celebrations and Bless This Child, A Comprehensive Guide to Creating Baby Blessing Ceremonies
- Rev. Nancy Omaha Boy, Ministerial StudentI found the All Faiths Seminiary International’s program invaluable in changing my priorities and aligning them with the love and power of this magnificent program. I made the right choice, a good choice last year when I finished the basic program. I attended every class in NYC and also went to all of Jon’s Miracles in Manhattan the next day. I got the most out of the program that I could. I highly recommend as much participation as possible. Any online program is very difficult to stay engaged without extra effort. I would also have a backup plan for when your life goes awry. This is much harder to do. Keeping up with assignments is paramount. You can enjoy the program and your faculty and classmates much more if you are on track, but expect to get thrown off at some point and leave some space for yourself to catch back up. This is a fabulous program with a great future. I would do it again in a heartbeat! -Rev. Dr. Nancy Omaha Boy, Class President, 2016
All Faiths Seminary International teaches an all-encompassing focus on God as seen through the eyes of the various spiritual wisdom traditions, with a special focus on the mystical aspects that connect us all. The path All Faiths Seminary International has created towards my Doctorate degree has opened my heart and mind, allowing me to connect to God, myself, and others in a new light of love, understanding, and oneness.- Rev. Bud James, AFSI Doctoral Student
- Rev. Bud James, AFSI Doctoral Student
Wow, what an amazing week we had. As always, the All Faiths Seminary International Team created an “Over The Top” combination of a Retreat and Ordination experience for the attendees. The student body itself was quite powerful and deeply introspective, it seems. The Labyrinth was a PERFECT addition, and I think everyone got quite a lot out of it. The ordination was PERFECT! A beautiful church, and the person assisting us was an incredibly happy, bright light. The photographer was solidly on his game too, I have seen some of the initial photos and they look great.
The entire event was not too long, well-orchestrated, and I have to say I surreptitiously timed everyone’s speech, and all were well contained and still quite thorough. Rabbi Paris’ first speech was 5:30, an amazing performance for him. His wrap-up was actually longer, interestingly. But all had incredible content filled with Love and respect.
As before, all I can say is that I wish it were a day longer, especially with this large headcount. Shanti mentioned having 2 major get-together events instead of one, and that makes sense too. Regardless, the sermons and thesis summaries we heard this year were heart-opening, educational, and provided remarkable soul-windows through which we were allowed to gently observe.
It came together beautifully. Thank you for all your hard work, and all the love that you and everyone put into it. We are all so blessed in endless ways.
The entire event was not too long, well-orchestrated, and I have to say I surreptitiously timed everyone’s speech, and all were well contained and still quite thorough. Rabbi Paris’ first speech was 5:30, an amazing performance for him. His wrap-up was actually longer, interestingly. But all had incredible content filled with Love and respect.
As before, all I can say is that I wish it were a day longer, especially with this large headcount. Shanti mentioned having 2 major get-together events instead of one, and that makes sense too. Regardless, the sermons and thesis summaries we heard this year were heart-opening, educational, and provided remarkable soul-windows through which we were allowed to gently observe.
- Rev. Bud James, AFSI Master's Class
I’d felt the calling to Minister for many years, but none of the Seminaries seemed to quite fit the Spirit of Universal Love – ‘Love All. Serve All.’ that I believed in. Then, I found All Faiths International Seminary and I knew I had found my perfect Spiritual advancement/ enlightenment home and family. - Rev. Samanthia E. Carroll, Masters Class
- Rev. Samanthia E. Carroll, Masters Class
I highly recommend this program to anyone who is interested — a very rewarding experience.- Rev. Lynne Matous
- Rev. Lynne Matous
- Rev. Bud James III, Minister ClassStudents and Graduates of All Faiths Seminary International. I overflow with light, joy, and enthusiasm when they speak of their Alma Mater, and I am certainly one of them. Each attest to the notion of family, connection, and inspiration that All Faiths Seminary International fostered in us. Each student attends with the idea that they will only take the Ministerial training program, others the various graduate courses, but all are given a much greater gift. They are truly inspired, and form a life-long respect for all Faiths and all paths, and a deepening of their own.
- Rev Marcie Lee Thomas, Minister Class The year of study at All Faiths Seminary was mystical, magical and life affirming. I learned the path of ‘never instead of, always in addition to’ and to travel the journey in joy and gratitude.
As a corresponding student one of the most meaningful aspects of my experience was meeting my fellow classmates for the first time at the retreat and getting to know all the remarkable people.- Rev. Lisa, Minister Class
- Rev. Lisa, Minister Class
Besides receiving monthly teachings, All Faiths Seminary International encourages all students to deepen their own investigations into the worlds’ major religions. Attending services and interviewing the spiritual leaders at a variety of local churches/temple/ mosques and monasteries in my area also connected me to my community in unique ways. It was an invaluable spiritual gift to think globally and act locally to touch and be touched by the many faces of the Divine.- Rev. Judi Bachrach, Minister Class
- Rev. Judi Bachrach, Minister Class
I am so happy that I chose to attend All Faiths. Aside from being taught the basics of ministry, I was nurtured and taught how to live fully and joyously from our beloved, Rabbi Gelberman. His presence alone is a lesson in blissful existence. - Rev. Jennifer, Minister Class
- Rev. Jennifer, Minister Class
Rev. Sal Sapienza, Interfaith Student