Dr. Esin Celebi Bayru is Mevlana Jalauddin Rumi's granddaughter from the 22nd generation. She is a descendant of Sultan Veled and Ulu Arif Celebi - the formers of the Mevlevi Order. Currently the Vice-Chairperson of the International Mevlana Foundation, she is an accomplished writer and public speaker, who lectures around the world on the mystical traditions of Islam.
In May, Dr. Celebi visited California from her home in Turkey in order to receive an honorary degree from the Starr King School of Ministry. ChI was delighted to welcome Dr. Celebi and Dr. Ibrahim Farajeje (a Sufi Pir and Provost at Starr King) to co-teach a class on 'The Spirituality of Sufism" for students in the Interfaith Ordination program. In addition to this course, students took part in a field learning experience at Chocmat HaLev; an independent renewal center for Jewish learning and mediation. At Chocmat HaLev, students took part in a Mehsk, a Dhikr/Jewish Renewal celebration honoring Dr. Celebi. The event included singing, chanting, teaching and whirling under the guidance of Dr. Celebi.
