Jewish & Christian Educators
Study Group
Reflections from participant
Rachael GlaserFor the past three years it has been my privilege to be a participant in various ICJS programs. I remember the mixed feelings I had at the first ICJS event I attended, the conference, "Faith for the Future," in May 1997. So many questions and unknowns overwhelmed me: Would each comment I made be taken as representative of the "Jewish view?" Would I be defensive or could I be open-minded? Could we really engage in honest dialogue and learn from one another? Should I sit with my Jewish colleagues as a sign of unity or should I mix with the Christian participants?
Following my initial uneasiness (which I must say was quickly put to rest by Dr. Rosann Catalano’s and Dr. Chris Leighton’s wit, warmth, and genuine passion for this cause), I began to realize how much I would learn from our meetings, and how much my life would be enriched.
Perhaps one of the most exciting ICJS initiatives is its Jewish Scholars Project, designed to provide a better understanding of Christianity among Jews. What makes this Project so innovative is that most contemporary interfaith dialogue has focused on the history of the Christian teaching of contempt for Judaism and the Jew-ish people, and on Christianity’s complicity in western anti-Semitism. This Project moves the dialogue to a new level because it challenges Jews to think about the role of Christians and the meaning of Christianity in a Jewish religious worldview.
This year, our Jewish and Christian Educators Study Group had the opportunity to review chapters that will make up the Learning Resource for the ICJS National Jewish Scholars Project. The Resource explores basic theological concepts that are central to both Judaism and Christianity -- for example, sin and repentance, suf-fering, Israel, Bible, God -- but understood quite differently in each of our traditions. Jews and Christians are rooted in a common biblical tradition. How have we developed in such divergent ways? Can we appreciate our common roots while recognizing our differences? Most definitely! To this end, the Learning Resource will be a valuable guide in generating meaningful conversa-tion among Jewish learners and between Jewish and Christian groups.
So many of us get caught up in committees and meet-ings that are routine and mundane, tedious and time-consuming. But every so often, an opportunity presents itself that allows us to engage in something new and ex-traordinary, intense and meaningful, which deepens our connections to others and, therefore, to God. For me, the ICJS and the Jewish & Christian Educators Study Group has been one such opportunity.
As we enter this 21st century with hopes for a new millennium of peace for Israel, and for greater under-standing among peoples, I am awed by the significance of our task with the ICJS. Once inconceivable, yet now a reality, a post-Holocaust era is upon us, with true soul-searching and repentance by Christian churches and their leaders on the one hand, complemented by sincere responsiveness by the Jewish community, on the other. By coming together in the spirit of study and understanding, we can truly engage in God’s work.
May we remember that what we have achieved thus far is only the beginning, and that we have much more work to do to continue the kind of conversations the ICJS and the Educators Study Group promote. Although "it is not up to us to complete the work, neither are we free to desist from continuing it" (Pirkei Avot -- Ethics of the Fathers).
On a more personal note, I so cherish the colleagues I have met through the ICJS, and the time we spend together in study and friendship. I can only look forward to future sessions.
Rachel Glaser is Educational Director at the Beth Israel Religious School, Beth Israel Congregation.
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