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Religious communities in times of coronavirus

Samuel L. Boyd* | 01.04.2020

The coronavirus pandemic is forcing entire countries to rethink deeply-held social norms. Faith leaders are coming up with new ways to reach their communities, with many turning to online platforms to perform rituals. … [more]

Pray, but stay away: holding on to faith in the time of coronavirus

Robyn J. Whitaker* | 01.04.2020

Plagues of global proportions might seem biblical, but coronavirus is creating new challenges for faith leaders. Last week in Australia, many churches, mosques and synagogues decided proactively to cancel their normal worship services. These were not easy decisions for groups for whom being a gathered community is central to their identity and practice. … [more]

What is a bar mitzvah?

Jonathan D. Sarna* | 01.03.2020

It is a common scene on many a Saturday morning in cities and towns across the United States to see seventh- and eighth-grade boys and girls, a few not Jewish at all, gather in synagogues and temples to watch a classmate’s bar mitzvah. … [more]

Has the Way Christians See Themselves Been Affected by Their New Relationship with Jews?

Philip A. Cunningham* | 01.01.2020

Lecture given at the ICCJ 2019 conference, July 1, Lund, Sweden. … [more]

Rabbi Dr. Michael A. Signer (1945-2009)

01.05.2019

Ten Years ago on January 10, 2009, Rabbi Michael Signer, one of the most outstanding figures of Jewish-Christian relations of recent times, died after a long battle against cancer. He was as one of the four authors of the groundbreaking 2000 statement Dabru Emet, subtitled “A Jewish Statement on Christians and Christianity”. In memory of his person and his work, the following biographical sketch is published.* … [more]

"I am Joseph, Your Brother"

01.05.2019

A documentary film (59 min.) from 2001, which follows the dramatic changes in the relations between the Catholic Church and the Jewish people over the past half century. … [more]

Women’s Wisdom in the Hebrew Bible

Jessica Spencer* | 01.04.2019

“The wisdom of women builds her house.” (Proverbs 14:1). … [more]

Catholic-Jewish Relations: Portentous Anniversaries

Lisa Palmieri-Billig | 01.03.2019

2018 was a year of significant anniversaries, conjuring up memories of the past, bearing portentous messages for the present and the future: 100 years since the end of World War One; 80 years since Mussolini’s racist antisemitic laws; 80 years from the German-Nazi Anschluss of Austria; the State of Israel’s 70th birthday; the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – (the last two events democratically determined by the votes of the United Nations.) … [more]

The Life of Jesus of Nazareth in the Gospels

Rebecca Denova* | 31.12.2018

The only sources for the life of Jesus of Nazareth are in the canonical gospels (or the gospels that were included in the authorised version of the New Testament). We have no contemporary, eyewitness testimony from the time that he lived and preached in Israel. … [more]

On This Passover We Ask: Are We Truly Free?

Ron Kronish | 01.04.2018

One of the most famous passages of the Passover seder is called “Ha Lachma Anya — This is the bread of affliction.” It is sometimes referred to as the “invocation.” It is the moment when the leader of the seder welcomes all the guests at the seder, especially those who are in need, and invites them to celebrate Passover with everyone at the table. It is recited and sung in Aramaic, so unless one pays attention to the translation, one can miss the importance of the passage. … [more]