INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHRISTIANS AND JEWS

E-Bulletin # 14

In this E-bulletin:

- Report on the 2009 ICCJ International conference in Berlin: A Time for Recommitment; Jewish-Christian Dialogue, 70 years after War and Holocaust

- Visit ICCJ President to Australia

- Regional conferences 2009 and 2010

- Upcoming events

ICCJ, the International Council of Christians and Jews:

a global network that

• builds Jewish-Christian and Jewish-Christian-Muslim understanding;
• brings the religious and moral principles of these traditions to bear upon the problems of interfaith, inter-racial and international relations;
• strives to eradicate prejudice, discrimination and their consequences;
• promotes attitudes of tolerance and mutual respect.

Berlin conference: A Time for Recommitment

It was a beautiful Sunday evening, July 5, when representatives of the ICCJ member organisations, conference participants and many distinguished guests gathered at the Berlin Academy of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. The opening session held that evening was as heart warming as the weather outside. After words of welcome by the Vice-Chair of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Dr. Beate Neuss and the ICCJ President, Dr Deborah Weissman, our special guest Dr. Wolfgang Schäuble, German Minister for the Interior, addressed the conference stressing the need for inter religious dialogue and inviting in particular Muslim organisations to take part in it.

Then followed a moving ceremony during which representatives of twenty two ICCJ member organisations signed the Berlin document taking upon them the challenges formulated in these twelve points as a way to continue the dialogue. Honouring the Ten Points of Seelisberg which gave more or less birth to the ICCJ, this time Jews and Christians together take upon them the responsibility for expanding and deepening their contacts without avoiding the burning issues still on the agenda.

The opening was followed by three fully packed conference days with most interesting plenary sessions and numerous workshops. On Tuesday all conference participants were invited to a much appreciated boat trip on the Spree River. On Wednesday the impressive Holocaust monument and the new Jewish Museum were visited. Wednesday evening the conference was closed with a dinner at the Berlin, Berlin hotel where most of the participants stayed.

We try to publish the content of most of the sessions on our homepage: www.iccj.org. At this site you may also find the “Twelve Points of Berlin”, part of the document ‘A Time for Recommitment’. ICCJ is grateful to all who helped to make this conference a great success. In particular we want to thank the staff members of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and Dr. Eva Schulz-Jander, liaison person of the Deutsche Koordinierungsrat, our German member organisation.

Visit ICCJ President to Australia

The Interreligious Coordinating Council Israel, one of the two Israeli ICCJ member organisations sent a three-person delegation to Australia, to raise awareness about inter-religious dialogue in the Holy Land. The trip was co-sponsored by the Pratt Foundation and AIJAC--the Australian Israel/Jewish Affairs Council.
The delegation consisted of a Jew (ICCJ President Debbie Weissman), a Christian (Rula Shubeita) and a Muslim (Issa Jabber.) They delivered 37 speeches and gave 7 interviews, over a period of 16 days. They spoke in schools, synagogues, churches, universities, etc. and got fairly good media coverage.
The delegation was hosted graciously by the Councils of Christians and Jews in both Melbourne and Sydney. The ICCJ member organizations in Australia are very pleased with the Berlin Document and are making efforts to promote it. Some very positive feedback on it was received.

Regional conferences

As a follow up to the Berlin conference, two regional conferences will be held on the same theme: ‘A Time for Recommitment’. Our member organisations in Latin America will convene from December 6 - 8, 2009 in Montevideo, Uruguay. Conference coordinator is Pastor Armin Ihle, Chair of the Confraternidad Judeo Cristiana de Uruguay. The dates for a similar conference in the Baltic and Nordic region will be fixed soon.

Upcoming events

November 3-11, 2009 ICCJ seminar: From Two Narratives to a Culture of Peace.
December 6-8, 2009 Regional conference Montevideo, Uruguay.
January 11-13, 2010 Executive Board meeting.

We also would like to draw your attention to the new edition of the new Jewish and Christian Liturgical Calendar “Etz Hayim – Tree of Life”. Copies can be ordered through the website: www.etz-hayim.com.