Lunch and Learn

A mid-day opportunity for you to take a little “time-out” for food and conversation. Bring a sack lunch; Womanspace will supply beverages and the speaker. Our Lunch & Learn programs are sponsored by:

State Farm

World Religions Series: Hinduism
Professor Prashar, will share some fascinating information on one of the religions practiced in his native India. Hinduism has no know founder and is the oldest formally-structured faith in the world. This religion is practiced by over 80% of the population of India and is the third largest religion in the world with 880 million adherents.

Kanwal Prashar is professor of sociology at Rock Valley College, where he has taught since 1972. He also taught at Rockford College and is one of the founders and past president of the Rockford Interfaith Council. Kanwal was instrumental in reactivating the India Association of Greater Rockford and is a founder of Hindu Satsang of Greater Rockford. He is a life member of Brahmin Samaj of North America and a board of trustees member representing the Midwest. Kanwal is also a life member, past president and current board director of the Alpine Kiwanis Club.

Course #: LL10-1
Date: September 8
Time: Wednesday, Noon-1:00p
Presenter: Professor Kanwal Prashar
Location: Fountain View Room
Cost: $10 Register by September 7

Foods That Fight Back
This presentation with everyone’s favorite nutritionist will help you learn how and why certain foods containing a varying amount of antioxidants and phytonutrients are vital to help our bodies fight back against cancer and other diseases. Learn practical ideas to incorporate and keep these foods in your daily diet.

Jeanie Burke, R.D. is a community health and lifestyle educator with CHIP, Healing Pathways, and NorthPointe Wellness. She is also a Personal Chef and has traveled all over the United States with her up-beat and fun-loving approach educating the public on cutting-edge wellness concepts.

Course #: LL10-2
Date: September 22
Time: Wednesday, Noon-1:00p
Presenter: Jeanie Burke
Location: Fountain View Room
Cost: $10 Register by September 20

Rumi on Death
Pardis shares the mystical poetry of Rumi and his unique perspective on death in this program that will be particularly helpful for people who have lost a loved one. Come hear the wise words of this 13th-century Persian poet, Islamic jurist, and theologian as Pardis sings and plays the Daf drum, a large hand-held drum with metal rings that jangle against the inside frame. This is a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in some of the most moving poetry ever written. She will be joined by her student, Linda Zanocco.

Pardis Haghdoost is an RN at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center. Her passion and ancestral talent lies in reciting Rumi's poetry and playing the daf drum, used ceremonially for centuries in her native Persia. Click here for information on her weekly Daf drum lessons at Womanspace

Course #: LL10-3
Date: October 6
Time: Wednesday, Noon-1:00p
Presenter: Pardis Haghdoost
Location: Fountain View Room
Cost: $10 Register by October 4

World Religions Series: Women in Islam
Sevdija will share her personal story, her life as an Islamic woman, and how she found Islam to be the best path for her. She will also speak about how she strives to practice her faith as best as she can. She is eager to answer questions you may have about women in Islam as we continue our quest to spread peace and understanding through these World Religion programs.

Sevdija is a native of New York and married to Shpendim Nadzaku Imam of the Muslim Community Center. She lived in Medinah, Saudi Arabia for seven years and moved to Rockford six years ago with her husband and four daughters. She has taken some classes at Rock Valley College and is active at the Muslim Community Center.

Course #: LL10-4
Date: October 20
Time: Wednesday, Noon-1:00p
Presenter: Sevdija Nadzaku
Location: Fountain View Room
Cost: $10 Register by October 18

Healing Pathways Cancer Resource Center
Healing Pathways is a new resource in our community offering programs for those touched by cancer. Scientific findings provide simple steps to help reduce the side effects of treatment and support the body’s natural healing process. Healing Pathways is for those in active treatment as well as survivors, plus their family and friends. Programs include nutrition, prevention, survival, stress reduction, relaxation, yoga, massage, Qi Gong, support groups and more.

Carolyn S. Greenlaw RN, BSN, graduated from the University of Missouri School of Nursing and worked as head nurse at the NIH Clinical Research Unit at the University of Missouri School of Medicine. Carolyn is the Interim Executive Director of Healing Pathways-Cancer Resource Center in Rockford Illinois.

Course #: LL10-5
Date: November 3
Time: Wednesday, Noon-1:00p
Presenter: Carolyn Greenlaw
Location: Fountain View Room
Cost: $10 Register by November 1

World Religions Series: Jainism
Local religion specialist, Kanwal Prashar, will share some fascinating information about a lesser-known world religion with origins in India. Jainism has over 4 million adherents in India with a philosophy of complete nonviolence and sympathy for all living beings. Professor Prashar will highlight and discuss its fascinating history, as well as its current status.

Course #: LL10-6
Date: November 17
Time: Wednesday, Noon-1:00p
Presenter: Professor Kanwal Prashar
Location: Fountain View Room
Cost: $10 Register by November 15

Make a Holiday Card
Would you like to take a break from the usual holiday shopping and do something creative and fun? Come spend an hour with Nancy and Ila and your Womanspace friends making a couple of Holiday cards to give away or to keep for your own enjoyment. No experience necessary. Supplies will be provided.

Ila is a calligrapher and rubber stamp artist and has items at the Gallery2Go gift shop. Nancy is a retired high school teacher and guidance counselor. She became actively involved at Womanspace when her bridge club gave her a membership as a retirement gift. She enjoys working with paper, fabric, fibers, and beads. Her work can be found in Gallery2Go, where she volunteers every week.

Course #: LL10-7
Date: December 1
Time: Wednesday, Noon-1:00p
Presenter: Ila Adam & Nancy Benson
Location: Fountain View Room
Cost: $10 Register by November 29

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