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This site is devoted to fostering mutual respect and understanding between Christians and Jews around the world. Here you will find articles, reviews, reports, official statements, and study resources on Jewish-Christian relations, as well as links to many related organizations. Please click on Contact to offer feedback or propose additions to the site.

Looking for new material? Here you can find a list of published articles of the last two months (right column):
New material


ICCJ

International Council of Christians and Jews

This site is owned and maintained by the International Council of Christians and Jews, which has 38 Christian-Jewish and interreligious member organizations in 32 countries. Its headquarters is in the Martin Buber House in Heppenheim, Germany, where the great Jewish thinker lived until Nazi persecution forced him to flee.

Through its annual conferences and other consultations the ICCJ offers a platform where Christians, Jews, and in recent years Muslims as well, examine current issues across national and religious boundaries, providing the opportunity for face-to-face exchanges of experience and expertise.

Further information:
www.iccj.org

Most viewed

Reports

Jewish-non-Jewish relations: Between exclusion and embrace - An online teaching resource

| 02.01.2012

Announcement of new teaching website and call for additional contributions ... [more]

Articles | Fundamentals & Introductions

The Shared Testament: Sara and Hagar

Dalia Marx and Ursula Rudnick | 02.01.2012

Two feminist scholars, Dalia Marx, a liberal rabbi and an ordained Lutheran minister, Ursula Rudnick, in dialogue about the Hebrew Bible. ... [more]

Reports (205)

British Council of Christians and Jews: 70 Anniversary Dinner

| 01.12.2011

On Tuesday 15th November, Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks was guest speaker at a dinner and reception celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the Council of Christians and Jews. The charity’s patron of 60 years, Her Majesty The Queen, was the guest of honour accompanied by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. To mark the 70th anniversary of the formation of The Council of Christians and Jews, the Chief Rabbi also delivered the "Thought for the Day" broadcast on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. … [more]

ICCJ 2011 Conference Cracow successful

Rev. Dick Pruiksma, ICCJ General Secretary | 01.09.2011

Some 180 participants gathered from July 3-6 in Cracow Poland, to attend the annual conference of the International Council of Christians and Jews. This conference on ' Religions and Ideologies' was organized in cooperation with the Faculty for International and Political studies of the Cracovian Jagiellonian University. … [more]




Book Reviews (38)

The Jewish Cemetery in Berlin-Weissensee

| 01.09.2011

The Jewish Cemetery in Berlin-Weissensee is one of the largest and most beautiful over the world. … [more]

The Jewish Wars

Rivkah Fishman-Duker* | 01.03.2011

Edward Alexander, The Jewish Wars, Second edition.
New Brunswick, N.J.: Transaction Books, 2011, 206pp. … [more]

The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler

Rev. Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson | 01.02.2011

Based on the authorized biography, Mother of the Children of the Holocaust: The Irena Sendler Story, by Anna Mieszkowska, this movie, directed by John Kent Harrison, is a must-view for all historians and those interested in the Holocaust movie genre. … [more]




Statements | Protestant (38)

Day of Reflection, Dialogue and Prayer for Peace and Justice in the World

Olav Fykse Tveit | 01.12.2011

Remarks of Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary of the World Councils of Churches, 27 October 2011, Assisi … [more]

EUR/D: International Conference on the State of Relations between Christians and Jews

| 01.07.2011

Ten years ago the Conference of Protestant Churches in Europe's (CPCE) study “Church and Israel” marked a milestone in Christian-Jewish relations. On this jubilee 40 specialists from Europe met in Arnoldshain and called for its renewed putting into practice. The text of the closing Communiqué follows … [more]

Statement of LEKKJ regarding the "Kairos Palestine Declaration"

Lutheran European Commission on the Church and the Jewish People | 01.09.2010

The Lutheran European Commission on the Church and the Jewish People (LEKKJ) has studied and discussed The Kairos Palestine Declaration, “A Moment of Truth”, authored by Palestinian Christians in 2009. … [more]




Statements | Joint Christian-Jewish (42)

Mutual respect and advancing relations between Cyprus and Israel

| 01.01.2012

Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger signed a historic declaration on December 6, 2011, in Nicosia, Cyprus, with Archbishop Chrysostomos, primate of the Church of Cyprus, in which both of them promised to deepen relations between the Church and the Jewish people. The declaration affirms the illegitimacy of the doctrine of collective Jewish guilt for the deicide of Jesus. It was the first time an Orthodox church has explicitly repudiated this doctrine, which was one of the most important factors in the development of religious anti-Semitism in Europe. The joint declaration reads as follows: … [more]

40 Years of Dialogue: Reflections and Future Perspectives

International Catholic-Jewish Committee | 01.04.2011

A joint declaration of the International Jewish Committee on Interreligious Consultations (IJCIC) and the Vatican's Commission for Religious Relations With the Jews. It was released at the end of its 21st meeting in Paris, March 2, 2011. … [more]

Joint Declaration of the 20th International Catholic-Jewish Liaison Committee Meeting

| 01.04.2011

The 20th meeting of the International Catholic-Jewish Liaison Committee (ILC) of the Holy See's Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews and the International Jewish Committee on Interreligious Consultations (IJCIC) was held in Budapest Hungary, November 9-12, 2008. … [more]




Statements | Jewish (9)

Ascending towards God

Rabbi David Rosen | 01.12.2011

Address of Rabbi David Rosen, KSG, CBE, International Director of Interreligious Affairs, AJC, October 27, 2011, in Assisi … [more]

Resolution on the 2009 Kairos Document

Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) | 01.05.2011

Adopted by the Board of Trustees
April 15, 2010 … [more]

Canadian Jewish Congress Welcomes Canadian Church Leaders' Statement

Canadian Jewish Congress - Congrés Juif Canadien | 08.12.2003

Canadian Jewish Congress welcomes the release today of a statement on antisemitism by leaders of churches affiliated with the Canadian Council of Churches. … [more]




Statements | Ecumenical (21)

The Kairos Palastine Document

| 01.08.2010

We, a group of Christian Palestinians, after prayer, reflection and an exchange of opinion, cry out from within the suffering in our country, under the Israeli occupation, with a cry of hope in the absence of all hope, a cry full of prayer and faith in a God ever vigilant, in God's divine providence for all the inhabitants of this land. Inspired by the mystery of God's love for all, the mystery of God's divine presence in the history of all peoples and, in a particular way, in the history of our country, we proclaim our word based on our Christian faith and our sense of Palestinian belonging - a word of faith, hope and love. … [more]

Statement on Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

World Counil of Churches (WCC) | 06.09.2009

1. While the decision of the United Nations (UN) of 1947 (Resolution 181) to establish two states in the land of Palestine was partially achieved with the creation of the state of Israel, the second part of this resolution is still waiting for realization: the establishment of a Palestinian state. … [more]

Holocaust/Shoah: Its Effects on Christian Theology and Life in Argentina and Latin America

First Symposium of Christian Theology, Buenos Aires, May 17, 200 | 07.06.2006

… [more]




Statements | Roman Catholic (29)

Day of Reflection, Dialogue and Prayer for Peace and Justice in the World

Pope Benedict XVI | 01.12.2011

Address of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI at the meeting in Assisi, 27 October 2011. … [more]

Catholic Church and Judaism: Promising fruits

Benedict XVI., Pope | 01.10.2011

Speech of Pope Benedict XVI. at the meeting with representatives of the Jewish Community in Germany, Berlin September 22, 2011 … [more]

Meeting with Religious Leaders at St. Mary's University College in Twickenham

Pope Benedict XIV. | 01.10.2010

Distinguished guests, dear friends,I am very pleased to have this opportunity to meet you, the representatives of the various religious communities in Great Britain. I greet both the ministers of religion present and those of you who are active in politics, business and industry. I am grateful to Dr Azzam and to Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks for the greetings which they have expressed on your behalf. As I salute you, let me also wish the Jewish community in Britain and throughout the world a happy and holy celebration of Yom Kippur. … [more]




Articles | Observations & Experiences (112)

Letters to David

Friedrich Goelz | 02.12.2011

In 2003 the theologian and pastor Friedrich Gölz begins to write letters to his grandson David. The letters tell of a long journey, the journey of a Christian to the roots of his faith: Judaism. … [more]

Why Palestinians Should Learn About the Holocaust

Mohammed Dajani Daoudi and Robert Satloff * | 01.06.2011

Should Palestinian and other Arab schools teach their students about the Holocaust? … [more]

Jewish-Christian Dialogue Today

Yehudah Mirsky | 01.03.2011

How do today's Jews and Christians encounter one another? The most obvious way is in the countless interactions of Jewish and Christian colleagues and acquaintances in a host of daily settings, including exchanges on their respective religious attitudes and experiences. More specifically, there are the ties of many evangelical and other Christian groups with the state of Israel. Then there are the formal and by-now common meetings between clergy of the two religious traditions, as well as higher-level institutional ties that resemble a kind of ongoing ecclesiastical diplomacy. There are also collaborations and/or friendly debates among communal representatives on issues of shared concern. … [more]




Articles | Fundamentals & Introductions (88)

Learning to Listen: Are Christians ready for dialogue with Jews and Muslims?

Markus Heitkaemper | 01.11.2011

The answer to my chosen topic for this talk seems, at first sight, to be clear and simple: Yes, Christians are ready for the dialogue! The observation, which I render here as a question, has long since been answered for many of our contemporaries -- at least with regard to the Christian-Jewish dialogue. It may, therefore, be rather irritating. … [more]

The Development of Zionism Until the Founding of the State of Israel

Martin Kloke | 01.10.2011

This article traces the history of European-shaped Zionism during and after the First World War until the founding of Israel in 1948. Its primary aim is to show how the emerging project of the Jewish settlement of Palestine could withstand external and internal difficulties both under the British mandate and in the shadow of Nazism. From the beginning, political Zionism has been characterized by a triad of controversial partition plans, recurring "civil wars" and terrorism. This constellation gives an idea of why the State of Israel – regardless of some diplomatic successes – has failed, especially in the Middle East, to achieve lasting legitimacy either in a historical-political sense or according to international law. … [more]




Articles | Scholarly Contributions (123)

Land of Israel and Universal Salvation in the New Testament

Klaus Wengst | 01.09.2011

In December 2009, Palestinian Christians published A Word of Faith, Hope and Love from the Heart of Palestinian's Suffering, (hereafter referred to as Word) that gained great attention through its distribution by the World Council of Churches as "Kairos Palestine Document.” Because Word emphatically, and in detail, speaks in theological terms, I will first outline its theological foundation, then discuss this in four points and, at the end, add a few comments. … [more]

The Jewish Moses

Wengst, Klaus | 01.07.2011

In Rabbinic Judaism, Moses takes the dominant position among all biblical characters. Through him, God leads his people out of Egypt; through him, he gives his people the Torah at Sinai. … [more]

The Jesus of the Gospels as interpreter of the Torah.

Klaus Wengst | 01.01.2011

According to the Gospels, Jesus has neither abolished nor surpassed the law. He interpreted the Torah. To show this, I will confine myself mainly to a section of the Gospel of Matthew, which, in the history of its Christian interpretation, was often used to prove the opposite and set under the heading "Antitheses" – Math. 5:21-48. However, Jesus offers no "antitheses to the law," but interpretations of the Torah. … [more]




Statements | Orthodox (3)

To Recognize Christ in His People: Declaration by a Round Table of Eastern Orthodox Priests and Cultural Representatives

| 01.06.2007

Twelve Eastern Orthodox priests and lay leaders from Greece, Georgia, Italy, Russia, and Ukraine issued this statement at the conclusion of a five-day visit to Jerusalem, April 20-24, 2007. … [more]

Statement by Metropolitan Yuvenali (Russian Orthodox Church)
on the Alleged "Ritual" Nature of the Murder of the Royal Family

Metropolitan Yuvenali | 01.06.2005

In its historical analysis of the Ekaterinburg tragedy, the Commission could not avoid dealing with the question of the so-called ritual murder of the royal family, which continues to be the subject of press articles. … [more]

Communique of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church Regarding Anti-Semitic Posters

| 01.05.2005

Upon learning the facts with regard to the anti-Semitic posters and graffiti that appeared in Belgrade on March 22 of this year, as well as of earlier, similar and in some cases even more blatant, inhumane and malicious demonstrations of prejudice and intolerance toward the Jewish people, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church, convened today, March 24, in prayerful memory of the innocent victims of the bombing by the NATO alliance, wishes to communicate the following … [more]




Statements | Interreligious (3)

Resolution

ICCJ International Abrahamic Forum | 01.11.2011

At its meeting held January 2011 in the Martin Buber House in Heppenheim, Germany, the Executive Board of the International Council of Christians and Jews, implementing the decision taken by the 2010 ICCJ Annual General Meeting held in Istanbul, Turkey, decided to renew its commitment to the Jewish-Christina-Muslim dialogue. During a trilateral consultation, held in Berlin, December 2010, the following proposition was drafted, with which the ICCJ Executive Board unanimously agreed. … [more]

Joint Declaration by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Chief Rabbis of Israel

| 01.10.2006

The Most Revd Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar and Chief Rabbi Yonah Metzger of Israel met in friendship at Lambeth Palace on 5th September 2006/12th of Elul 5766, to commit themselves to a continuing relationship based on mutual trust and respect. At the end of their meeting they made the following statement.

… [more]

Interreligious Peace Forum Moscow 2000

Participants Interreligious Peace Forum Moscow | 14.11.2000

Final Document and Participant's Statement. November 13-14, 2000, Moscow. … [more]

Articles in other channels

A Spiritual Home | Daniel F. Polish *
We Are What We Remember | Franklin Sherman*
A Zionist Journal in the Concentration Camp | Julia Brauch
The Jewish-Christian Relationship and the Middle East | Rabbi David Rosen
Tourism, one practical advantage of an Israeli-Palestinian settlement | Marc Gopin
Reports

What India can teach Israel

Tel Aviv - In June, I will be travelling to India for a year. Globalisation and vast changes in our concept of leisure have turned travel into an activity enjoyed by huge numbers of people, particularly in the West. For me, the act of travelling to India for such a long stretch of time will be an opportunity to ask questions and satisfy my curiosity. ... [more]