We embarked on artistic and spiritual education this week. Our first visit was to the Skokie Holocaust museum which was very powerful. It is shocking how easily we forget. With recent images of Tiki torches and white men shouting racist chants in Charlottesville, it is important to have a reminder of where complacency leads.
We also visited the Art Institute of Chicago and the museum of Science and Industry. Seeing the master pieces in person is so inspiring.
There was a great small documentary about climate change at the science museum, which set us up nicely to see the Inconvenient Truth, the Sequel which seemed surreal as hurricane Irma was about to touch land in Florida. Jack and Addie were the only children in an audience of adults, most over age 50 at the Wilmett art theater. Although the movie had a lot of “talk” both Jack and Addie sat quietly through the whole thing and we had a fruitful discussion afterwards (although climate change is too big for most adults to grasp).
Yesterday we visited the Baha’i temple, a lacey dome like structure surrounded by beautiful gardens in Evanston. Baha’is believe in the oneness of God and religion, the oneness of humanity and dedicates its followers to serve with the goal of world peace. The temple took over 50 years to build and is amazing.
Finally, today we went to the Unitarian Universalist service at Unity Temple in Oakpark. The temple was designed and built by Frank Lloyd Wright and is really unique. The sharing today really focused on the refugee and immigrant communities and focused on us becoming a safe harbor for each other and strangers during the storm of intolerance. It was a wonderful experience and singing hymns with others and your family is always so heartwarming. Addie said her favorite parts were the singing and the cookies offered afterwards. When we get back to Portland we decided that we will attend the Unitarian Church in downtown more regularly.
This week was full and we spent many great hours with our family (Shel, Mike and Elaine) and ate plenty of amazing food. Next stop, Vermont. My sister is getting married!!!
Bochner Family Adventure 