After the successful efforts of the ICJS to obtain funding from the Lily and Revson Foundations, a unique group of scholars gathered for its first two meetings. The Jewish Scholars Group on Christianity (JSG) represents a significant step for the Jewish community as it brings together professors who teach Judaism but whose research focuses on the relationship be-tween Jews and Christians throughout the centuries. Members of the JSG hold appointments at major rabbinical seminaries such as Hebrew Union College and the Jewish Theological Seminary, at a number of leading secular universities, and at Roman Catholic universities and Protestant Divinity Schools. They are, therefore, in a unique position to influence both lay and professional leadership of tomorrow's churches and synagogues.

The overarching theme of the meetings has been "Accommodation and Resistance: Jewish Responses to Christian Culture."

Our meetings have provided occasions for informal conversations among those who study the origins of Christianity and Rab-binic Judaism, historians of medieval Judaism, and scholars of modern Jewish the-ology. Because these academics are often in different university departments and therefore attend separate profes-sional meetings, the JSG provides a unique opportunity for the discovery of common concerns and the development of col-laborative explorations.

The overarching theme of our meetings has been "Accom-modation and Resistance: Jewish Responses to Christian Culture." Using a variety of academic methods, the group frequently finds itself in heated disagreements as likely to be grounded in our different views of Jewish experience as they are in our divergent understandings of Christianity.

Our meeting in October, 1995, opened with a discussion of Jon Levenson's book, The Death and Resurrection of the Beloved Son: The Transformation of Child Sacrifice in Judaism and Christianity, a book that examines the meanings of the binding/sacrifice of Isaac in both Judaism and Christianity. After a delightful dinner at the home of Lee Meyerhoff Hendler, Elliot Wolfson conducted a study of Jewish texts that have parallels or analogues with the Christian concept of incarna-tion. The following morning, Michael Signer focused on themes from the medieval period that have resurfaced in contemporary Catholic statements about Jews and Judaism.

At the May, 1996, meeting, David Novak and Michael Wyscho-grod discussed their perspectives on the theme of biblical election and its implications for Judaism and the Jewish-Christian dialogue. Wyschogrod's book, The Body of Faith: Judaism as Corporeal Election (1983), provided a significant stimulus for Novak's new book, The Election of Israel: The Idea of the Chosen People. The discussion afforded the group an opportunity to review many of the themes raised at our first meeting in the discussion of Levenson's book. At our second session, Peter Ochs and Susan Handelman led a text study that focused on Jewish philosopher Emmanuel Levinas, whose writings signal a creative response to the tensions of resistance and accommodation. At our closing session, Paula Fredriksen and Daniel Boyarin offered contrasting views of Paul's theology of Judaism. The animated debate in their presentations and by members of the group indicated that divergent interpretations of this most important early Christian author will remain a touchstone of Jewish-Christian discussion.

As part of both meetings the Group discussed the purpose and future of the JSG. There is a growing consensus among us that we need to review and reassess what the Jewish tradition has taught in response to Christianity. Some members are eager to develop a foundational statement of Jewish attitudes toward Christianity that will address both the richness and variety of Jewish experiences with Christians, delineating the creative as well as the debilitating consequences of this relationship.

Our second year of meetings will probe new themes and texts that promise to influence the direction of our scholarship. The JSG joins me in expressing our gratitude to the staff of the ICJS for its many contributions to this innovative venture.