In this blog, I urge Milwaukeeans to sample different faiths. It's enlightening and powerful.

On Tuesday, Nov. 27 religious leaders from Milwaukee will gather at Marquette University to discuss the challenges facing faith groups in Milwaukee and identify ways to increase mutual cooperation. It's a bit easier than my idea and free to attend.

The event runs from 4 to 6 p.m. in Cudahy Hall, 001, 1313 W. Wisconsin Ave.

"Working Together against Violence: The Contribution of Religious Communities to Social Harmony," will bring together religious leaders from the local Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh communities. It will be moderated by Rev. Thomas Michel, S.J., visiting Wade Chair of Theology at Marquette University.

During the program, leaders will share how they have experienced violence, how their faith communities have responded and what has worked. According to Irfan Omar, associate professor of theology at Marquette, the goal of the event is to learn "from each other and to discuss how each community can strengthen itself and be better prepared to respond and prevent all forms of violence by building newer interfaith alliances and increasing mutual cooperation and understanding."

The event is sponsored by the Marquette University Department of Theology, the Faber Center for Ignatian Spirituality, the Office of Mission and Ministry, the Center for Peacemaking, Manresa for Faculty and the Niagara Foundation of Wisconsin.

Participating religious leaders:

• Rabbi Marc Berkson, Senior Rabbi of the Congregation Emanu-El B'ne Jeshurun in River Hills
• Rev. Donna Brown, Pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church on 28th and Wisconsin Ave.
• Manpreet Kaur, a doctoral student at UWM and member of the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin
• Mayank Mital, board member of the Hindu Temple of Wisconsin
• Imam Ronald B. Shaheed, the Imam of the Sultan Muhammad Masjid and Director of Education at the Clara Mohammed School
• Gelong Thubten Tsultrim, a retreat leader and a teacher at the Deer Park Buddhist Temple and monastery in Oregon, Wis.