BU Law Alumna Featured in Oprah Winfrey’s Seven-Night Documentary Series, Belief
Karen Wade Cavanagh (LLM’15) was profiled in the segment entitled “God Help Us,” which originally aired Thursday, October 22 on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network
![Karen Cavanagh (LLM in IP Law'15) traveled to Turkey to study as a whirling dervish following a traumatic brain injury. Photo by Vladimer Shioshvili (Whirling Dervishes) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.](/law/files/2015/11/whirling-dervishes.jpg)
>> Click here for a sneak peek of Belief.
Thursday, October 22
Belief, “God Help Us”
When tragedy, illness or loss feel overwhelming and relief seem beyond our reach, many believers appeal to their faith for strength. First, Karen Cavanagh (LLM in IP Law’15), a Catholic from Slingerlands, New York is called to the Sufi path as a way of healing from a traumatic brain injury. Karen travels to Konya, Turkey to combine her Catholic faith with the practice of becoming a Whirling Dervish, a group who worships through meditative dance. Next, in Lima, Peru, a teenager, Beto, prays to the Lord of Miracles, a painting of Christ on the cross that is revered throughout the country. Beto is selected to march in an annual procession honoring the icon, bringing pride to his family. Then, in Lebanon, 13-year-old Walid, a Syrian refugee whose family fled their home in war torn Syria, still finds a way to participate in Ramadan, the Islamic faith’s month of personal and spiritual reflection observed with fasting and prayer. Finally, in Indonesia, 19-year-old Buddhist monk Bodhi Cahyno believes meditation can help him find a source of inner strength after enduring a challenging childhood. Guided by his mentor and teacher, Bodhi travels to the holy site of Borobudur in Indonesia—the world’s largest Buddhist temple—to celebrate Vesak, an annual ritual that commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha.
About Belief
This groundbreaking original series invites viewers to witness some of the world’s most fascinating spiritual journeys through the eyes of the believers. Traveling to the far reaches of world, and to places cameras have rarely been, Beliefsearches the origins of diverse faiths and the heart of what really matters. From the epic to the intimate, webbed throughout each hour are stories of people on spiritual journeys, taking them to sacred spaces, including: the largest peaceful gathering in the history of the world as a group of believers seek redemption along the banks of a holy river; a free climber on the side of a mountain who believes there is no greater power than just being present as he climbs without rope; inside the ceremonies of the past as a 21st century woman seeks to find a miracle cure using ancient ceremonial treatments; the quiet of the night as a culture seeks to hang on to its 50,000 year-old history by searching the stars for insight to share with future generations; and, a courtroom and prison where a grieving mother must grapple with forgiveness as she comes face-to-face with her son’s killer. These stories and others will all lead us to ask: “What do you believe?” Belief is co-produced by the award-winning production companies Harpo Studios and part2 pictures. Executive producers are Oprah Winfrey, Sheri Salata, Jon Sinclair, David Shadrack Smith, Greg Henry and Kim Woodard.
About OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network
OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is the first and only network named for, and inspired by, a single iconic leader. Oprah Winfrey’s heart and creative instincts inform the brand – and the magnetism of the channel. Winfrey provides leadership in programming and attracts superstar talent to join her in primetime, building a global community of like-minded viewers and leading that community to connect on social media and beyond. OWN is a singular destination on cable. Depth with edge. Heart. Star power. Connection. And endless possibilities. OWN is a joint venture between Harpo, Inc. and Discovery Communications. The network debuted on January 1, 2011 and is available in 85 million homes. The venture also includes the award-winning digital platform Oprah.com.
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About part2 pictures
An independent production company, part2 pictures is focused on visually captivating and deeply affecting storytelling for TV, features and digital platforms. Since 2007, Brooklyn-based part2 pictures has created hundreds of hours of series, films, and specials for major US broadcasters and been honored with nine Emmy nominations, an IDA Award, and a Sundance Jury Prize. Led by Director and Executive Producer David Shadrack Smith, part2 delves into unexpected worlds through unique characters and innovative craft.