National Jewish Scholars Project
Launched in September, The National Jewish Scholars Project is one of the most exciting endeavors in recent ICJS memory. The publication of Dabru Emet, a public document that appeared in the New York Times, The Baltimore Sun, and other national publications on Sunday, September 10, 2000, introduced the project. This groundbreaking statement, de-signed to bring the entire project to the attention of the general public, was written by distinguished Jewish scholars and endorsed by over 225 leading rabbis and academics representing a cross-section of the Jewish community. On Monday, September 11, the ICJS sponsored a gathering of rabbis for an afternoon study session, a celebration dinner to thank supporters of the project, and a public program that attracted over one thousand guests.

Two New ICJS Publications
In conjunction with The National Jewish Scholars Project, the ICJS has published Christianity in Jewish Terms. Written by preeminent Jewish and Christian scholars for a broad general reading audience, this book provides the intellectual, philo-sophical, and theological foundation for the entire project. This summer will mark the publication of Irreconcilable Differ-ences? A Learning Resource for Jews and Christians, edited by ICJS staff scholars. This publication provides materi-als and activities that make the contents of the scholars' book accessible to diverse audiences, including clergy, seminary students, congregational study groups, interfaith families, and the general public -- Christian as well as Jewish.

Pilot Programs to Serve as Models
Two pilot programs, using materials from the forthcoming Irreconcilable Differences? A Learning Resource for Jews and Christians, were successfully completed during the fall of 2000. The first was held in the Bolton Hill neighborhood of Baltimore and included the Bolton Street Synagogue, Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church, and Memorial Episcopal Church. Twenty-one participants were involved, seven from each of the three congregations. The second program took place in Owings Mills and included Beth Tfiloh Synagogue and St. Thomas Episcopal Church. Forty people, twenty from each community, participated in this program. The weekly one-and-a-half hour sessions were led by members of the ICJS staff and volunteer liaisons from the community. These pilot pro-grams will serve as models as the ICJS moves to take The National Jewish Scholars Project to the wider community.

Do Jews and Christians Worship the Same God?
The ICJS Winter Mini-Course was held on Thursdays in Feb-ruary and early March and was hosted by Woodbrook Baptist Church. Close to one hundred people attended the series, co-taught by Dr. Rosann Catalano, Dr. Christopher Leighton, and Rabbi David Sandmel. Focusing on the proposition presented in Dabru Emet, A Jewish Statement on Christians and Christian-ity, that "Jews and Christians worship the same God," the course explored the variety of ways in which Jews and Chris-tians understand God. Material from the forthcoming book, Irreconcilable Differences? A Learning Resource for Jews and Christians was presented.

High School Genesis Project Involves Teenagers
The fifth season of the ICJS High School Genesis Project occurred on four consecutive Tuesday evenings in February. The program involved over sixty-five high school students from public, parochial, and private schools in Baltimore. The High School Genesis Project provides the opportunity for high school juniors and seniors from various religious, racial, and socio-economic backgrounds to engage in conversation about stories from the Book of Genesis. This year's stories were: Cain and Abel, The Tower of Babel, The Binding of Isaac, and Jacob Wrestling. A handmade beit midrash was created as part of the study of the Binding of Isaac.

Advent and Lenten Preaching Colloquia
Provide Thoughtful Resources
Two programs for Christian clergy are designed to provide material and support for preaching lectionary texts that have historically led to misunderstandings and misrepresentation of Judaism and Jewish people. In November, Dr. Thomas Breiden-thal, General Theological Seminary in New York, directed an afternoon session on the themes of "Promise and Fulfillment" from the Advent readings in the Gospel of Luke. The Lenten Preaching Colloquium, "Three Sides of the Cross: Rethinking a Death that Saves," was held in early February. Dr. Mark Heim, Andover Newton Theological School, pondered such questions as: "What is the meaning of Jesus' violent death?" and "Is the image of redemptive suffering at the center of Christian faith dangerous or liberating?" The sessions encouraged challenging and provocative conversations.

Jewish & Christian Educators Study Group
to Study Dabru Emet
Members of the ICJS Jewish & Christian Educators Study Group met on Nov. 16 and Jan. 18 at Beth Israel Congregation in Owings Mills. This year's program is designed to examine the public statement, Dabru Emet, and develop an educational pedagogy for the study of the statement that can be used with lay groups. The concluding session will be held on April 24, 2001 at Beth Israel Congregation.