A few weeks ago ICCJ created a Facebook page. The ICCJ Young Leadership Council and the ICCJ International Abrahamic Forum did so even before ICCJ itself became part of the FB community. The reason why is obvious: social media play an ever growing role in web communication. In particular younger people create their network on line. But not only the younger generation! To individuals and institutions social media offer an unheard opportunity to reach out to the general public. So: join us on Facebook!

During its recent meeting in Manchester, the ICCJ International Abrahamic Forum issued a statement responding to the ruling of the Cologne District Court in Germany on circumcision. The Abrahamic Forum will publish soon a more extensive position paper on issues like the Court’s ruling. In several countries, like in Holland and Sweden, a ban on ritual slaughter was discussed. Switzerland banned the building of minarets. Other countries consider a so called burka-ban. As one of the presenters during the annual ICCJ Manchester conference stated: the real clash in the near future will be the clash between law and religion. In western societies rights and freedoms, secularized and religious, will struggle for new relations to each other.

A very successful ICCJ international conference 2012 ended with a gala dinner on Manchester United Football Grounds on July 5. Most of the 180 participants came together that evening to celebrate an enriching and encouraging meeting, co-organized by ICCJ, the British CCJ, the Manchester CCJ Branch and the Manchester University Institute for Jewish Studies. Those who had worked hard to make this event happen, were thanked warmly and many promised “see you again in Aix en Provence next year.”

As from now a new list serve for all board members and executives of the 38 ICCJ member organizations world wide is open for use. Through this mailing list the ICCJ member organizations will be in contact with each other, they will keep their fellow organizations everywhere in the world informed about the activities in their respective countries and they will discuss through this mailing list the issues presently on the agenda of Jewish-Christian and Jewish-Christian-Muslim dialogue.

ICCJ warmly congratulates ICCJ Honorary President Dr. Victor C. Goldbloom on a well-deserved honor he received from the Vatican. Victor Goldbloom has been named a Papal Knight. L’ICCJ félicite chaleureusement le Dr. Victor C. Goldbloom, président d’honneur de notre organisation, pour la distinction méritée que lui a décernée le Vatican. Victor Goldbloom a été nommé Chevalier du Pape.

Sunday July 1st will be the official opening of the 2012 ICCJ conference to be held in Manchester. Theme of the conference: New Neighbours, New Opportunities: The Challenges of Multiculturalism and Social Responsibility. Registration for the conference will close end of this month. Therefore we want to remind all those interested in coming to Manchester to register on time! All information you need can be found on this website. Deadline for registration: June 1!