Time to renew interfaith dialogue
National
The Australian Council of Christians and Jews (ACCJ) will hold a three-day event in February to discuss interfaith activities in Australia and New Zealand, in conjunction with the visit of world leaders in Christian/Jewish dialogue.
Called ‘Heads, Hearts and Hands: What can dialogue do for us?’, the event will be held in Melbourne from February 2-4, in conjunction with the visit of world leaders in Christian/Jewish dialogue, the board of the International Council of Christians and Jews.
ACCJ chair Dr Ron Hoenig said since the October 7 Hamas attack people in many religious traditions had stepped back from meeting each other.
“Now is the time for all that to change,” he said.
The event is co-sponsored by the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion Australia, whose work in Jewish Christian encounter, dialogue and action is world-renowned.
“We strongly believe that open dialogue has the power to make a significant positive difference in the world, benefiting people of all faiths and none,” Adelaide-based Dr Hoenig said.
“We will be sharing theory and debate (heads), emotional responses (heart), and examples of practical action (hands).”
The keynote address will be given by the president of the International Council of Christians and Jews, Rabbi David Fox Sandmel.
Over the following two days, attendees will have a unique opportunity to hear from local and international speakers about national and international experiences of dialogue and ways of dealing with the current challenges facing Christian/ Jewish dialogue.
“People will be able to participate in hands-on workshops providing practical tools to bring back to our communities and work to create more cohesive communities with a greater respect and appreciation of other traditions,” Dr Hoenig said.
Meanwhile, freelance writer and faith educator Teresa Pirola has released a new book titled October 7. A Response to the 2023 Massacre in Israel and Surging Antisemitism in Australia (The Story Source, 2024), comprising 23 of reflections she has written since Hamas’ attack on Israeli communities on October 7.
Release of the print edition of the book coincides with the 59th anniversary of the promulgation of Nostra Aetate, the groundbreaking declaration of the Second Vatican Council aimed at furthering interfaith relations.
“This book’s underlying message is that Catholic leaders are compelled, by their church’s history, teachings and six decades of interfaith progress, to teach and model with clarity that antisemitism is the antithesis of the gospel and must be decisively confronted,” Dr Pirola said.
“There are many ways that people of faith and goodwill can speak and act, and not be bystanders, as the world’s ‘oldest hatred ’makes an alarming resurgence in our time.”
More information at accj.org.au
