The Shalem Center was founded in 1988 in Columbus, Ohio. Following an inspiration, Shalem’s founder, the Rev. Dr. Elizabeth A. Reed, convened a small group of wholistically minded professionals in the healing arts and in spiritually oriented vocations. The vision was a network or space where creative and visionary persons collaborate on interprofessional projects. The ultimate goal of such works would be to contribute to peace, within and/or without, joining with a growing global movement to create a more peaceful planet.
The vision was a container for creative collaborations, a container that would respect diversity while acknowledging and experiencing Unity within and among all. Spirituality was a core value, and further an interfaith or interspiritual perspective was affirmed. The container would be a space where all faiths or paths would be honored, there would be respect among differences and a commitment to peace and harmony.
Almost thirty years later, seeing many practitioners, programs and projects, Shalem Center continues its mission.
Its work over the past years has included:
- Psychotherapy services to individuals, groups and families
- Consultation and training with mental health professionals
- Consultation and training with clergy of many denominations
- Field training work with two seminaries
- Workshops and retreats with a variety of groups based on varied topics related to spirituality
- Spiritual mentoring/companioning services to individuals and groups
- Ritual services for individuals (weddings, commitment ceremonies, baptisms, funerals, house blessings, life transition rituals)
- Travel seminars to spiritual sites in Latin America
- Supporting the Native Middle Eastern translation and spiritual practice work of Sufi teacher Dr. Neil Douglas-Klotz (including the Abwoon Resource Center project)
- Support of local Dances of Universal Peace group and other peacemaking organizations
- Involvement with various interfaith organizations, locally and nationally