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Pioneers in Jewish-Christian Dialogue in Spain
Ionel Mihalovici*
Jewish-Christian dialogue today is of very recent origin, although until the fifteenth century there had been profound communication as much from the philosophical, biblical and mystical perspective as in interpersonal relationships. The new Amistad judeo-cristiana (Jewish-Christian Friendship Association) began in 1961.
During an earlier trip to Spain Sr. Yolan, a Sister of Sion, had established connections with Mons. Lahiguera, auxiliary Bishop of Madrid, as well as with several professors. Following this initiative, upon coming to Spain Sr. Speranza of Sion established contact with the Jewish community there. From its beginnings Mons. Lahiguere greatly supported the Amistad and his door was always wide open to receive its members.
It is necessary to name Jose Maria Perez as one of the journalists who were part of the group from the outset. outset. He knew the Amitié judéo-chrétienne in Paris and the initial suggestion to begin one in Madrid came from him. This well-known journalist was also the first director of the review Amistad which has been published since 1963. As a committed Christian he understood from the beginning the importance of Jewish-Christian dialogue and brought to it his experience in journalism and his profound and sincere friendship. He wrote numerous articles for the review and due to his influence the Spanish press frequently commented on the various activities of the Association. Attentive to all antisemitic manifestations his writing fortunately offset negative representatons which still appeared in certain reviews. In Amistad Jose Maria wrote about his understanding of dialogue: "By speaking we will understand each other, we will give expression to our affection, we will join hands and leave the future in the hands of God." A painful illness took him away from his friends and family at an early age.
Among the university professors who actively collaborated from the beginning and who left their research as a heritage we must name: Jose Camon Aznar who was also director of the Lazaro Galdiano museum; Father Diez-Macho, the great scholar internationally known for discovering and translating the Targum Neofiti; Jose Maria Millas Vallicrosa, dedicated above all to the translation of medieval Jewish-Spanish literature.
Very significant in Jewish-Christian dialogue was the person of Federico Perez Castro, professor of Hebrew language and literature at the University of Madrid, member of the Royal Academy of History. It was he who founded, at the height of the war, the Arias Montano Institute for scientific research of Jewish-Spanish literature, history and philosophy from the Middle Ages. He published several hundred philosophical, historical and literary studies. One of his most important works was the translation of the Bible from Hebrew and Aramaic. He supported Jewish-Christian activities from the beginning.
David Gonzalo Maeso was one of the first professors of Hebrew language and literature at the University of Granada. He also published numerous works among which one must note an important work on Hebrew authors and a survey of the heritage left to Spain by Jewish scholars from the Golden Age. In spite of the distance between Madrid and Granada, David Gonzalo Maeso never refused to give lectures at the Amistad judeo-cristiana or at the Centro de Estudios Judeo-Cristianos (Center for Jewish-Christian Studies). The review El Olivo is indebted to him for numerous interesting articles.
On July 22, 1996 the Jewish-Christian dialogue lost one of its founders and main collaborators in the person of Samuel Toledano. One of his main preoccupations was the brotherhood among all people of good faith and relations among Jews and Christians. In 1961 he was cofounder of the Amistad judeo-cristiana in Spain. He offered his home particularly for meetings to prepare the constitution and to obtain ecclesiastical and civil approbation of the association. By supporting relations between Jews and Christians he proved himself a pioneer during an era not yet very supportive of these efforts.
For 35 years following the founding of the Amistad Samuel was always available to support its development and its activities. After 1972 he gave his full support and help to the Centro de Estudios Judeo-Cristianos where he became a most effective adviser greatly appreciated for his humanity and openness by all the members of the organization. Among his many activities engendering respect and friendship among Jews and Christians it is necessary to highlight his zeal to remove from text books anything that could encourage hatred and contempt. He wrote in El Olivo: "We must collaborate to promote an awakening of sensitivity and awareness to keep alive the divine spark in our souls, to open ourselves to the spirit of the psalms, to revere the voice of the prophets and the faithfulness of God. In this task Jews and Christians must struggle together side by side, providing an example of cooperation in order that the ideal of justice and love, the basis of our common belief, may triumph."
The round tables and conferences organized by the Centre were also enriched by Samuel's collaboration. With his death the Jewish-Christian dialogue as well as all who knew him lost a friend, an adviser and a brother. We hold warm and profound memories of our great friends who supported us in our beginnings.
Ionel Mihalovici*
* Ionel Mihalovici, a Sister of Sion, has been in Madrid since 1963 where she has been active in Amistad judeo-cristiana of which she became secretary in 1968. She has been active in the Centro de Estudios Judeo-Cristianos since its beginnings as Centro de Estudios sobre Judaismo in 1969. This essay is a translation from French.
