Explore 'Jerusalem,' see neighbors' faith

Starting next month, you can learn more about Jews, Christians and Muslims in Jerusalem and CLT.

 Discovery Place will begin showing “Jerusalem” – filmed in IMAX – on Sept. 21. Based on the preview at the movie's Web site, it’s a visually stunning exploration of the Holy Land, with the accent on Jerusalem.

The National Geographic film, narrated by British actor Benedict Cumberbatch (the contemporary Sherlock Holmes on PBS), will also highlight intersections between Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

That brings us to what else Discovery Place is doing: Starting Sept. 14, the uptown museum will bring “Families of Abraham” back to Charlotte.

This widely praised photo exhibit spotlights 11 local families – Jewish, Christian and Muslim – during a single year as they celebrate holy days and go about rituals of daily life.

Eleanor Brawley, a Charlotte photographer and TV documentary producer, conceived and directed the exhibit, which debuted in late 2006 at Charlotte’s Levine Museum of the New South.

Brawley and seven other photographers shot everything from an Indian-American/Muslim wedding to a Passover Seder to a Christmas Mass at Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (Our Lady of Guadalupe). The exhibit, which will fascinate and move you, has traveled to nine other venues – including Duke Chapel in Durham.

There’s also a new hardback book with most of the exhibit’s 204 black-and-white images. “Families of Abraham: A Remarkable Story about the Religious Diversity of the South” is at Park Road Books and the Levine Museum of the New South.

“Families of Abraham” will be at Discovery Place through Jan. 12; “Jerusalem” will be shown through March 30.

Hear ‘Walking the Bible’ author

Keeping with the Jewish-Christian-Muslim theme: Bruce Feiler, whose “Walking the Bible” (the book and documentary) traced the 10,000-mile trek described in the first five books of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament, will speak in Charlotte on Sept. 29.

His topic: “Are we in a Holy War? A way forward for Jews, Christians and Muslims today.”

He’ll speak at 5p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 200 W. Trade St. The evening will include dinner and a panel featuring Feiler and three Charlotte faith leaders: the Rev. Pen Perry of First Presbyterian, Rabbi Judy Schindler of Temple Beth El and Iman John Yahya Ederer of the Muslim Society of Charlotte.

Cost is $10. Details: Go to the church's Web site or email FPCEvents@firstpres-charlotte.org.