AMS Students Experience Religious Diversity Journeys

The Journeys: World Religions of Metro Detroit program is an extracurricular program offered to 7th grade students that takes place during several school days throughout the year and is funded by the Berkley Education Foundation as part of its enrichment program. Two teachers, 25 7th grade students, and parent chaperones, visit five houses of worship and a cultural center during the school year. The purpose of the program is to teach 7th grade students about the major world religions that coincide with the Michigan Social Studies curriculum. This program is run by the Interfaith Leader Council (IFLC).

Students must apply to be part of the program.

The first visit usually takes place in early October and follows a pattern of one Journey a month up until March. This year, students visited the following locations:

• Basilica of St. Mary’s to learn about Christianity
• The Dawoodi Bohra to learn about Islam
• Temple Israel to learn about Judaism
• Sri Sharadamba to learn about Hinduism
• Mata Tripta Gurdwara Sahib to learn about Sikhism
• The Zekelman Holocaust Center, the cultural journey for the year

Teacher leader Justin Mustonen shared details about the trip. “Other middle schools are present on these journeys. Some attend from as far away as Ann Arbor, others are from Detroit or Plymouth. At each location, aside from the cultural journey, we are treated to a tour of the house of worship, typically followed by breakout sessions where we learn about key aspects of that faith. Each journey has unique aspects and experiences. For example, at Dawoodi Bohra students learned about the values of Islam and its history in Michigan, while at the Gurdwara we made roti for our lunch. Each house of worship provides lunch, traditionally a meal connected to their religion. We enjoyed bagels and lox at Temple Israel and potato curry at Sri Sharadamba. One of the highlights this year was a mock Jewish wedding, where our students served as father and mother of the bride.”

Students walk away from this experience with a wealth of knowledge. They receive Passport Books, notebooks filled with information about each religion, are full of tidbits, knowledge, insight, observations, and questions following each journey. Students take so many notes they often need extra paper. Anderson students are consistently complimented on their attentiveness, respect and curiosity. Mr. Mustonen would like to thank and celebrate the parent volunteers to help chaperone and drive students to these experiences.

The Berkley Education Foundation supports this experience by funding $100 for each student to participate. To help support the BEF and this program to continue, attend the upcoming Off to the Races event on March 21, 2026 at Red Run Golf Club, or make a donation online.