Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, begins
As the sun sets, it’s important to note that the Jewish faith community is observing Yom Kippur.
Most Jews consider Yom Kippur the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. 
Yom Kippur begins at sundown today and ends at sundown Saturday.
The day is called the “Day of Atonement” and generally concludes the High Holy Days, the 10-day time period that begins with Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year.
The Jewish faith community still have many other holidays that will be observed soon, such as Sukkot, which begins at sundown on Wednesday. Known as the festival of tabernacles, it is a seven-day holiday that is biblically based. The holiday is a time to give thanks for God’s care of the Jews during 40 years in the desert after they departed Israel and for the fruits of the harvest.
Look for my column in Saturday’s Life section about how the Oklahoma City Jewish faith community find meaning in giving back for the High Holy Days.
Look for more information on Sukkot in next week’s Oklahoman.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
“Unbroken” connections
Last month, I had the privilege of meeting and interviewing Louie Zamperini, 94, the World War II POW and Olympic athlete, when he visited Emmanuel Baptist Church in Enid. We posed for this photo together in the Rev. Wade Burleson’s office, where I conducted the interview.
Before the interview, I got a copy of “Unbroken,” the book chronicling Zamperini’s amazing life but I wasn’t able to finish it before his visit.
I’m finishing it up now and I have been amazed at how many people have read the book or are in the middle of reading it. Everywhere I go, people are talking about the book. When I have it with me, which I frequently do, someone stops me to say that they have read it and it is a great book.
It is a best-seller by Laura Hillenbrand who earned accolades from Zamperini about how well she captured his story, which includes the account of how he came to give his life to the Lord.
Anyway, it just blows my mind about the many ways the book has served as a connecting point for me and so many people.
I guess that’s what good books are supposed to do.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Incidentally, I don’t believe in happenstance. I believe that many of our encounters are divinely orchestrated. Another way to look at it is seeing each encounter through a spiritual lense. It is in that context that I say that I was so touched by Mr. Zamperini and what he had to say about his faith journey. There were lots of spiritual lessons gleaned from that interview.
Rockin’ Rosh Hashana and a Tweet New Year
Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year begins at sundown today.
I love music and I stumbled upon a holiday-themed music video that has gone viral. This “Rosh Hashana Rock Anthem” is cute and engaging so have a look.
Also, here is an interesting tidbit about Rosh Hashana for the social media fans out there. The Jewish New Year kicks off a season called the High Holy Days. This is the 10 days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
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A Tweet New Year
The first contemporary online synagogue, OurJewishCommunity.org, is tweeting the High Holiday services — Roshanah Sept. 28029 and Yom Kippur Oct. 7-8.
Hundreds of tweets will be sent out from the Twitter accounts of the online congregregation (@JewsOnline) and one of its rabbis, Laura Baum (@rabbi) during the evening and morning services. The tweets are to come from the liturgy that is used during the services, which also may be downloaded as a PDF.
“We’re rabbis who actually encourage people to talk during our sermons,” Baum said in a news release. “We want those attending our services online to chat with each other using social media. It’s great to see people engaging in conversation with each other.”
For more information, visit www.OurJewishCommunity.org.
Behind the scenes of “Courageous”
“Courageous,” the new feature film from Sherwood Pictures, is set to premiere on Sept. 30.
Lots of Oklahoma churches have indicated they will support the film when it hits the big screen.
A cable channel is offering a behind-the-scenes look of the movie’s filming tonight. “The Making of Courageous” premieres on the Gospel Music Channel, also known as GMC, at 7 p.m. tonight. A bonus showing is set to air at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 25.
The faith-inspired movie tells the story of of four law enforcement officers as they are challenged to be better fathers.
“The Making of Courageous” shows how 1,500 volunteers worked with a professional crew to create the movie
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
“Passion” tour heading to Oklahoma
Oklahoma fans of the popular “Passion” worship conferences should plan on visiting Stillwater next month for a treat.
LIfeChurch.tv’s Stillwater campus at 1917 N Country Club Road will be the site of the Passion University Tour stop at 8 p.m. Oct. 4. 
The event will feature worship leaders Charlie Hall (pictured) and Kristian Stanfill, plus a video message by “Passion” founder Louie Giglio (pictured below).
The university tour is part of a 12-campus tour prepping for “Passion 2012″ set for the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga., on Jan. 2-5. The 2012 event in Atlanta is expected to draw more than 35,000 university-aged adults.
The event is Stillwater aims to bring together students at Oklahoma State University, including those involved with several campus ministries. 
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Justin Bieber gets his praise on … again
I have a teenager in the house so I ended up seeing a bit of MTV’s Video Music Awards last night.
I thought it was interesting that Justin Bieber, when he accepted his VMA, thanked God and Jesus, with an emphasis on Jesus. He made a pretty bold statement; even my daughter remarked about it.
Of course, like every year, there were stories resulting from the VMAs. Well, Justin’s acceptance speech was among them.
Here’s what folks are saying:
Fox News: God and Jesus become hot trending topic thanks to the VMAs.
ChristianPost: Justin Bieber delights Twitter fans by making God and Jesus trending
VillageVoice.com: God and Jesus did really well as the VMAs.
By the way, quite a few recording artists thanked the Lord during their acceptance speeches at the VMAs.
I’ve always found that so ironic, given the nature of some of their music lyrics and videos, at least for some of them. But, I don’t judge them. They are free to thank whomever they want.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Concert watch: Switchfoot
We have another round of contemporary Christian and gospel concerts coming up, beginning with Switchfoot on Saturday, Aug. 13 at Frontier City.
The concert will be from 7 to 10 p.m. It’s free with paid admission to the park. 
Other concerts heading to the Oklahoma City metro area include:
FFH, 6 p.m. Sept. 25, Southern Hills Baptist Church, 8601 S Pennsylvania. For more information, call 682-1636.
Sandi Patty & Friends, 6 p.m. Sept. 25, Crossings Community Church, 14600 N Portland. Event includes Wayne Watson, Heather Payne, Larnelle Harris and Jim Lyon. For information, go to www.crossingsokc.org.
And in Tulsa:
Third Day, 7 p.m. Oct. 8, Mabee Center. For Mabee Center information, go to www.mabeecenter.com.
Gaither Homecoming Tour, 6 p.m. Nov. 5, Mabee Center.
Michael W. Smith’s “Two Friends” tour with Amy Grant, Nov. 12, Mabee Center.
Aug. 8 Today’s Prayer
Monday, Aug. 8
The poor will always be with us; help us admit our duty to share with them. Amen. 
Buddhists save lobsters
MSN.com had this interesting story on its website this morning about a group of Buddhists and their observation of Wheel Turning Day according to the Tibetan lunar calendar. 
A story about the event in the UK’s Guardian media outlet said Wheel Turning Day is the anniversary of the first sermon Buddha ever taught.
Read more about the Buddhists releasing hundreds of lobsters back into the sea as they mark their faith community’s special day: MSN.com: “Buddhists save hundreds of lobsters”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Wednesday news roundup
It’s Wednesday and I know I’m not the only one happy about that …
Two more days until the weekend. 
Here are several religion stories making the rounds this week. They each caught my interest for one reason or another and I thought I’d share them.
Birmingham News: “Alabama church leaders file lawsuit to stop state’s new immigration law”
Christian Post: “Pastors seek ‘new normal’ in church budgets”
And finally, for all you baseball lovers out there, there is a story in today’s edition of the New York Times about the faith of Jack McKeon, manager of the Florida Marlins : “A Career Sustained By Unwavering Faith”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
