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News Notes
24 - 26
GERMANY
The third annual Symposium at Arnoldshain took place this year from June 4th to 7th at the Evangelical Academy of that city. The topic was "Israel and the Diaspora" — the Land of Israel and its place in theology. As in former years, Jewish and Christian exegetes and teachers of religion were in attendance.
FRANCE and BELGIUM
The "Sessions d'hebreu biblique" were held in Paris, Strasbourg, and Brussels in April of this year. These sessions are sponsored by the "Association des amis des sessions d'hebreu" whose aim, according to Article 2 of the statutes, is "to favor and develop the knowledge of Hebrew by means of sessions, publications and, ultimately, study trips... to create and strengthen bonds of understanding and friendship among all those drawn by the values opened to them by a knowledge of Hebrew".
Besides Bible studies in the original Hebrew, the sessions offered lectures towards a better knowledge of Judaism and Jewish-Christian relations, a tour of a synagogue, and an evening of Israeli entertainment. In the words of David Zrihan, the growing number of participants return "in search of three entities: Hebrew, the family, the Jew".
Summer sessions are projected to be held in Alencon, Vivers-sur-Rhone, and Asnieres-surOise.
U.S.A.
The six-day war with ensuing reactions provoked among many Christians and Jews a prise de conscience. This was evident at interfaith and congregational gatherings whose main theme centered around Israel and its new dimension.
BOSTON: A course in Jewish-Christian Relations took place from Feb. 28th to May 29th here, organized by Packard Manse in cooperation with the UAHC, United Synagogue of America, and the Massachusetts Board of Rabbis. The general topics treated were "Israel: the People", "Jews and Christians", "Israel: the Land", and "The Task in common".
Among the fourteen speakers were Rabbi Balfour Brickner, Dr. A. Roy Eckardt, and Rabbi A. J. Heschel.
KANSAS CITY: "The Impact of the Middle-East Crisis on Intergroup Relations" — such was the theme discussed last January during a seminar sponsored by the NCCJ and the Jewish Community Relations Bureau. The topics, presented by a Jewish, a Protestant, and a Catholic speaker, were: the meaning of Israel for the Jews, lessons learned through dialogue, and Israel as seen by a Catholic journalist.
BALTIMORE: An "Institute on Israel and the Near East " took place on Jan. 31st organized bythe Baltimore Board of Rabbis. The key-note address — "Christian Conscience and the Middle East" — was delivered by Rev. Edward Flannery. During the course of the session Rabbi Abraham Shusterman pronounced a statement on "The Land of Israel and Jewish Theological Concern".
NEW YORK: In mid-February 75 rabbinic and lay leaders of the three branches of Judaism gathered at Columbia University under the auspices of the Synagogue Council of America to examine the new "religious dimension" of Israel. The speakers came to the conclusion that, as a result of the war last year, the entire history of Israel since 1948 needs a new religious interpretation. One of the participants declared that, in the period after Auschwitz, "we are redeemed from madness by the redemptive reality of Israel".
ST. Louis: From Feb. 29th to April 4th Educational Renewal for Adults offered a course entitled "An Introduction to Judaism". This group endeavors to provide adult Catholics with information and educatonial programs appropriate to the post-Conciliar Church.
SOUTH ORANGE: Three leading representatives of America's major faiths discussed prospects for improving interreligious understanding and cooperation between Christians and Jews during an interfaith program held on April 23rd at Seton Hall University. The present status and hopes for the future were presented by Rev. Edward Flannery, Dr. Franklin Young, and Rabbi Marc H. Tanenbaum.
TARRYTOWN: A summer institute of Jewish Studies, co-sponsored by Marymount College and the Anti-Defamation League will take place from June 10th to 21st here under the direction of Dr. Michael Zeik. The two-week program is designed especially for teachers of religion in Catholic universities, colleges, and seminaries. The courses of study vary from a history of Jewish biblical thought to sociology and the American Jewish community.
Other two-week institutes will be held at Wheeling College and at Barat College, Chicago, this summer.
CANADA
The theme of the International Conference of Christians and Jews, to take place in Toronto from Sept. 2nd to 7th, is "Overcoming the Bar-riers to Communication". Among other topics under this heading will be discussed the person, education, the arts, ethnic values, and religious prejudice. In the introductory letter signed by Roland de Corneille and Bernhard E. Olson we read, "Since it is only as a result of real communication that real needs can be understood, and then acted upon, the importance of solving the communication crisis is indicated".
