Women of different faiths came together in the Spring of 2006 in Akron, Ohio to discuss an idea for an interfaith, multi-generational women’s group. After several meetings, Women’s Interfaith Spiritual Heritage (WISH) was established.

With the help of a grant from the Jewish Women’s Endowment Fund of the Jewish Community Board of Akron, copies of the book The Red Tent, by Anita Diamant were ordered and made available, at no charge, to the first 25 women and/or girls who registered for the program. On June 11, 2006, WISH hosted the Red Tent Event at Shaw JCC in Akron. The program consisted of a facilitated discussion of the book as well as a discussion conerning future programs. Participants agreed to meet the following year in a second gathering.

On March 24, 2007, WISH hosted ist second gathering at Sumner on Ridgewood Rd in Akron. Urgent Message from Mother: Gather the Women, Save the World, by Dr Jean Shinoda Bolen was discussed. The group decided to expand to four times per year to coincide with the 4 seasons. The next meeting feature The Faith Club, by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver, and Pricilla Warner.

Books and events have validated and empowered our thoughts and feelings. Together we have learned about such concepts as shekinah, mother bear wisdom, holding the scared teraphim (the tent), counsel of indigenous women, androcentrism, the original Mother’s Day proclamation, and the wisdom of Sojourner Truth.

Since these modest beginnings, WISH has sponsored a total of about 30 book discussions of interest to women of all faiths and races. We have also worked to promote interfaith relations and to support new immigrants and refugees in Akron.