Sunday, February 2, 2020, 2pm
We Are Our Beliefs — Or Are We?
Presenters: Chris Matthews, Jeannine Jacques, Eric Schildge
Location: Temple Israel, 200 State St., Portsmouth NH
Beliefs are powerful structures within the human mind that help us navigate our social and personal environments. These beliefs do not need to make sense to be deeply held. Our thoughts and feelings, our actions and reactions, respond not to the world as it is but to the world as we believe it to be.
This panel will explore the nature of beliefs around race, how they are formed, how they affect us both individually and in social groups and, what happens when our lived experience challenges those beliefs.
Biographies
Lowell “Chris” Matthews is an associate professor of Organizational Leadership at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and director of the University Honors Program. During his tenure at SNHU he has developed courses on white privilege, workplace diversity, and gender equity. His area of expertise includes leadership, human resources, and strategic management. Matthews keeps active in the community by volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Hampshire, City Year, and the Granite YMCA. He has served as chair of the board for DreamCatchers NH. Chris Matthews completed his Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management at the University of Delaware, his Master of Business Administration at Roosevelt University and his Doctorate of Business Administration from Argosy University.
Jeannine Jacques is a retired educator, social worker, and psychotherapist who had a 30-year practice in individual and group psychotherapy in Portsmouth. She holds a Masters Degree in Counselor Education, a Masters Degree in Social Work, and has done post-graduate studies in the Integration of Psychotherapy and Spirituality. She is trained in mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and has practiced Buddhism for over 20 years. She is currently active with the Compassionate Listening Project and volunteers with the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire.
Eric Schildge is a humanities teacher and co-director of the NHTP Youth Repertory Company. He is a director, actor, teaching artist, and high school teacher. Eric graduated with honors from Dartmouth College with a degree in Gender Studies, Geography and Native American Studies. His directing credits include The Tempest, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and As You Like It. Some favorite acting credits include Biloxi Blues, 12 Angry Men, and To Kill A Mockingbird. Eric has facilitated workshops for teachers, students, and professional actors, training them in dramatic and teaching techniques to increase engagement, comprehension, creativity, and critical thinking. He studies and performs at ImprovBoston in Cambridge, MA.
