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This month's e-letter reflects the Center's core commitment to interreligious education, dialogue and awareness. As we pursue our goal of promoting mutual respect and understanding between Catholic Christians and Jews at both the academic level and between local communities, we appreciate your continued support and dedication to this cause.
Respectfully,
Thomas Poynor
Assistant Director
| CCJS Board Member Gives Talk on Jewish, Christian, and Islamic Dialogue |
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CCJS Board Member Linda Taggart presented an introductory lecture focusing on the common origins and distinctive expressions reflected in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions to the Tampa Bridge Builders group on Monday, October 20, 2008, at Christ the King Catholic Church in Tampa. The presentation was titled "Tools for Learning about World Religions: A (Very) Brief Introduction." Participants learned how to describe and explain each tradition in terms of religious ideals, practices, and institutions. A sacred story from the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, and the Quran was discussed. The session was intended to provide participants with tools that support respectful,  reciprocal, and constructive interfaith education and dialogue with the specific goal of encouraging conversation, not conversion.
In addition to her significant role in helping to carry out the mission of the Center for Catholic Jewish Studies, Linda Taggart is an adjunct professor at Saint Leo University (SLU) teaching both interreligious studies and Hebrew Scriptures. Specializing in Hebrew Bible, her other research interests include biblical women in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. She holds a Master of Arts in Religious Studies from the University of South Florida and is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, the American Academy of Religion, and an associate member of the Catholic Biblical Association. |
Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies
Represented at North Georgia Golf Tournament |
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 A golf tournament benefiting local area charities in Habersham and Rabun Counties in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North East Georgia was held on October 14, 2008 by the Knights of Columbus. The Center for Catholic Jewish Studies was represented as a golf hole sponsor by Tom Buckridge, who resides on the Center's Board of Directors. Interest in the Center was shown by the Knights (a Catholic men's organization which does community charitable work) during the summer when Tom did a presentation concerning Catholic-Jewish relations in America.
Shown in the photo is Tom with a sign promoting the Center at the tournament which was held at the Orchard Golf & Country Club in Clarksville, GA.  |
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Director Promotes Center's Mission with Deacons of the Diocese of Orlando |
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At the invitation of the Director for Diaconal Formation of the Diocese of Orlando, Florida, Center Director, Michael J. Tkacik, Ph.D., led the continuing education weekend (October 17-19, 2008) for deacons and their wives at the San Pedro Retreat Center in Orlando. Dr. Tkacik was asked to structure the weekend around the topic of "Contemporary Implications of Vatican II." In addition to discussing contemporary issues regarding the church, the interpretation of the Second Vatican Council, sacramental theology, the diaconate, and the role of the laity in the church and in the world, Dr. Tkacik also devoted significant time and attention to Catholic-Jewish interreligious dialogue as it has evolved and developed since The Second Vatican Council promulgated 'The Declaration on Relations With Non-Christian Religions,' Nostra Aetate.
In addition to discussing the lives, witness and examples of the late popes, John XXIII and John Paul II, both of whom did much to advance Catholic-Jewish relations, Dr. Tkacik also presented the seminal teachings of Vatican II on Catholic-Jewish relations to the 250+ deacons and their wives. Other significant developments in Catholic-Jewish relations over the past 45 years were also addressed as Tkacik highlighted teachings proffered by the Pontifical Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews, the Pontifical Biblical Commission, and the American, French and German National Conferences of Bishops which, collectively, have yielded a new and positive disposition of the Church toward Judaism, and a new trajectory for theological inquiry and dialogue between the two faiths. Issues such as the perpetual and integral value of the Hebrew Scripture and Covenant, the Church's acknowledgement of her failures toward Judaism and its historical role in perpetuating anti-Semitism, as well as the Church's request for forgiveness in light of such matters, were discussed. In the end, much was shared about the Church's current understanding of her relationship with Judaism and the spiritual kinship between the two faith traditions. |
| SAVE THE DATE |
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 2009 Eternal Light Award Dinner
Mark your calendar for the March 8, 2009 annual Eternal Light Award Dinner. This year's honoree will be Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, Professor of New Testament Studies at Vanderbilt University Divinity School. Please see our upcoming e-letters for more information on this exciting and important event.
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Please see our Web Page for more information about the work and activities of the Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies and our collaborating partner, The American Jewish Committee, as well as our many friends.
"A Dynamic Partnership Between Jews and Catholics..."
The Web Page is also an excellent resource for us involved in and committed to interfaith dialogue. Please look for enhancements in the upcoming months! |
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