See your neighbors with new eyes - library offers interfaith discussions, movies, and more.

You know your neighbor as a student, artist, musician, doctor or laborer. You may be familiar with your neighbors’ country of origin and other aspects of their lives, but how well do you understand their religious beliefs and traditions? Beginning on Tuesday, March 1, at 7 p.m., the Lee Road Library is offering an opportunity to enhance and expand your understanding of the Abrahamic traditions, and see the people in your community in a new way.

"Communities in Conversation," presented in cooperation with The Chautauqua Institution, is an interfaith study and discussion group that explores the ideology and practices of the three major monotheistic faiths—Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Led by trained facilitators, and using a study guide that covers topics as diverse as Jewish rituals, Islamic science and mathematics, and early Christian history, you’ll converse with, and learn from, your neighbors during this five-week program.

In conjunction with the interfaith discussion group, the Lee Road Library will feature "Children of Abraham," a traveling exhibit, on loan from the Ohio Humanities Council, that explores the tenets of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Further highlighting the themes of respect for differences and an awareness of our common humanity, the library will offer the next installment of its International Film Series. "Our Neighbors to the North" will feature four Canadian films for viewing and discussion during the month of March at the University Heights Library.

For more information and to register for these programs call 213-932-3600, ext. 2, or stop into any of the Heights Libraries. You can also register online at www.heightslibrary.org. The Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library is dedicated to "Opening Doors, Opening Minds."

Carole Wallencheck is an adult services librarian at the Lee Road Library.