Bahai Faith to Celebrate a Founding Figure

On Sunday, members of the Bahai faith will commemorate the death of Siyyid ‘Ali Mohammed, one of the founding figures of the religion. Known as the Bab, which means the Gate in Persian, he was born in 1819 in Shiraz, Iran. The Bab was a Persian merchant known for his generosity to the poor.

In 1844, the Bab announced that he was Islam’s promised Qa’im, “He Who Will Arise.” His coming, the Bab explained, represented the portal through which the Messenger of God would soon appear. That prophecy is believed to have been fulfilled when a nobleman and follower of the Bab named Mirza Husayn ‘Ali took the name Baha’u’llah, and announced in 1863 that he was the Promised One.

In some respects, the Bab’s role can be compared to that of John the Baptist in Christianity. His primary mission was to prepare for the coming of Baha’u’llah. The Bab attracted followers, rapidly stirring opposition from the Persian government. On July 9, 1850, the Bab was arrested and executed.

The Bahai faith has an estimated 5 million adherents worldwide. There are about 5,000 active Bahai members in Southern California. Bahais honor all religions and emphasize the unity of humankind. For more information on planned observances or the Bahai faith, contact the Los Angeles Bahai Center at 5755 Rodeo Road, near La Cienega Boulevard. (323) 933-8291.

LECTURES

B’nai Tikvah Congregation in Westchester will present two lectures in the coming week. Sunday at 10 a.m., Rabbi Ed Feinstein will speak on “Finding a Home for the Soul.” Feinstein is spiritual leader of Valley Beth Shalom in Encino and lectures at the Zeigler Rabbinical School at the University of Judaism in Los Angeles. He was named Rabbi of the Year by the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles. After an 8:30 a.m. service, a light breakfast will be available for $5. On Friday, Laurie Donahue Leff will speak on “The Plight of Jewish Orphans in the Former Soviet Union.” Leff and her husband, Barry, founded a food pantry in Ukraine for families who are confronted with the decision to send their children to orphanages to avoid starvation. Leff will lead the discussion at a Shabbat service that will start at 7:45 p.m. B’nai Tikvah Congregation is at 5820 West Manchester Ave. Call (310) 645-6262.

PEOPLE

Roman Catholic Cardinal Roger M. Mahony has appointed Tod M. Tamberg, editor of the archdiocesan weekly, the Tidings, to be the new media relations director for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Tamberg, 37, succeeds Father Gregory Coiro, who will become associate pastor of Our Lady of Angels Church in Burlingame, Calif.

A Hollywood native, Tamberg graduated from Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1985 and did graduate studies in archeology and Semitic languages in the Middle East. He was associate editor of the Tidings from November 1991 to May 1992, rose quickly to acting editor and was named editor on July 1, 1992. At the time of his appointment, Tamberg was 29, the youngest lay editor in the 97-year history of the Tidings.

At the behest of Mahony, the Tidings under Tamberg embarked on a revitalization plan that expanded local coverage, included more foreign stories and added a range of new columnists. Tamberg will continue as editor of the Tidings until a new editor is named.

* David Davenport, departing president of Pepperdine University, will become president and CEO of a new Internet network, Christianity.com. After 15 years in academia, Davenport said he wanted “to pursue a personal and professional passion to continue to provide dynamic, influential leadership at the intersection of faith and culture.”

* A service commemorating the life of former Jewish Federation President Lawrence E. Irell will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Wilshire Boulevard Temple. Rabbi Harvey Fields will conduct the service in memory of Irell, who died last month of natural causes. He was 88. The temple is at 5700 Wilshire Blvd.

MUSIC

Holy Spirit Retreat Center is beginning its seventh annual summer music festival, “Music Under the Stars.” Three outdoor concerts will take place on consecutive Wednesday evenings. Next week’s concert will feature singer Deirdre Rogers performing a variety of selections from folk songs to spirituals. Concerts will begin at 7:30 p.m. The cost is $8 for adults and $2 for children under 12. Holy Spirit Retreat Center is at 4316 Lanai Road in Encino. Concert-goers are invited to bring a picnic dinner.

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