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30th National Dialogue participants from UCA & ECAJ |
The Uniting Church in Australia and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry have reaffirmed the value of contact and cooperation with the 30th meeting of the “National Dialogue” in Melbourne in late April.
With formal sessions on the different understandings and significance of “Exile” and on “Key Issues in Public Statements on Christian/Jewish relationships”, the delegates also shared experiences and reflections on diverse national and international issues of significance to specific members and interfaith dialogue generally.
The Dialogue, hosted by the UCA at the Centre of Theology and Ministry in Melbourne, was Co-Chaired by Rev. Dr John Squires for the UCA and Jeremy Jones AM for the ECAJ.
Rev Professor Howard Wallace and Rabbi Dr John Levi AM made formal presentations on “Exile”. The term is used by scholars to describe the experience of the people of Israel from the years 587-586 before the Common Era (BCE) onwards -- the time when much of Israelite society was dispersed eastwards, into Babylon, and then began spreading into other locations. Eventually, the wide spread of Israelite people formed what became known as the Dispersion (Diaspora), in many locations in the Middle East and around the Mediterranean Sea. Prof Wallace traced the main features of the experience in Israel's history, and pondered how it has impacted the self-identity of the Jewish people, even down to the present day. He led the group in close study of a number of selected biblical texts, which illuminated the variety of responses to 'Exile' in ancient Israel.
Rabbi Levi offered reflections on the popular understanding of 'Exile' in the contemporary Jewish world. He noted that most Jews, today, would date their exile from the time of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, in the year 70 of the Common Era (CE). The establishment of the modern State of Israel provided a place for Jews to live as 'home' but the majority of Jews today still live in 'Exile', outside of Israel. Using coins, archaeological discoveries, and rabbinic texts, Rabbi Levi illuminated a modern Jewish appreciation of the topic.
The two presentations led to a wide-ranging discussion of historic and contemporary Jewish and Christian self-understanding. Interaction of this kind has characterised many of the recent meetings of this Dialogue group -- it is engaged, intense, honest, and probing, set into a context of mutual respect and a desire to learn from one another.
In the second substantial session of the meeting, Rev. Squires facilitated discussion on statements and declarations on Christian / Jewish relations, identifying key features, the challenges confronted by those formulating declarations and the impact of statements on Jews and Christians. He based his presentation on a recent publication in which he explored statements made by Christian denominations and ecumenical bodies since 1947. Discussion also explored the recent 'Berlin 2009' document, produced by the International Council for Christians and Jews -- a document containing 12 statements directed at Christians (nos. 1-4), Jews (nos. 5-8), and Christians and Jews together with other interested people of faith (nos. 9-12). This recent document has broadened the scope of Christian-Jewish dialogue quite considerably, bringing issues such as climate change and ecological responsibility into the conversation. A final discussion point was the 'Statement on Jews and Judaism' adopted at the 2009 National Assembly of the UCA in Sydney, which received honest, critical, and yet sympathetic treatment in the discussion.
“Having been part of the Dialogue since its very first session, it is rewarding to see the depth of our relationship and the common commitment to learning and to self-exploration”, Jeremy Jones said.
“Each meeting reinforces the benefit of sharing knowledge, arguing about matters close to our hearts and thinking together about the challenges faced by all people of Faith and Goodwill,” Rev. Dr Squires added.
In addition to the Co-Chairs and presenters, the participants were Rabbi Ralph Genende, Josie Lacey OAM, Peter Wertheim AM and Jessica Taft (ECAJ) and Revs Elizabeth Raine, Glenda Blakefield, Lauren Mosso, Matthew Willson and Bob Faser (UCA)
Uniting Church in Australia Media Release
