Yes...the Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies has its 10th birthday this fiscal year (tenth began July 2007) and what we know as 'the Center' began with a very long and convoluted name...'The Committee for the Support of the Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies, Inc.' That name would not even fit on a check or on most forms, so we seldom used the longer version of the name unless it was on a legal document. People once asked us "who is the committee and who is the Center?", so we figured out a shorter name was required and did so. What seems like a long time ago, the American Jewish Committee and the then Saint Leo College had joined forces to bring about the Center. We are now into our ninth year of the "Eternal Light Award" coming up this next winter and will be reflecting on where we have been, but more importantly where are going in the next ten years.

Happy birthday, Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies!

The number of people we reach each month is increasing almost at a 100% per annum growth rate. There are currently 380 active e-subcribers who are now reached by the Center and many communicate with us from around the world via our website. We respond to each inquiry within 48 hours and often within 24 hours, some being for resource requests and others about articles we have posted on Center activities. The goal is to double again the subscriptions to 700 - 800 active viewers by this time next year! Please tell your friends to sign up to our e- Letters via the 'sign up' instructions on our website.

The Center is accepting gifts for the Rabbi A. James Rudin Endowment for Interreligious Studies. Some have asked how they may donate. You may contact Tom Buckridge at the office (352-588-8597) or via the "contact us" link on the website.

"Walking God's Paths" remains the top request for programming we receive. Anyone interested in hosting the six session series (or a partial segment of the series) can send a request via our website through 'contact us' and we will see that you are contacted about how to get started in your churches and synagogues.

September is our annual 'Friends Contributions' month. Once per year we do ask (with no pressure or obligation) our e-Subscribers and paper-based constituents to renew or begin their Friends commitments to the Center. We are NOT a foundation, but as a publicly supported tax-exempt organization rely heavily upon the contributions of many people to continue our mission. Please be receptive next month to our plea for support. Each and every dollar counts toward continuing the Center's activities.

The ninth annual Eternal Light Award dinner will be held on March 9, 2008 at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. Please mark next year's calendar for this important event. A significant partnership has been formed to coincide with an important exhibit in the winter 2008 as held in St. Petersburg. Stay tuned as to further information...

The Franciscan Center in Tampa is our Community Partner in the spotlight this month. It is based in Tampa along the scenic Hillsbourough River and represents a tranquil and beautiful complex that while is in 'the city' limits feels as if you are along a sleeply southern river location far form any city. The Franciscan Center is in its 35th anniversary year of serving the public as a religious center of reflection, learning and growth. To check out its calendar and programs, or to contact its Director, Sister Catherine Cahill, O.S.F please go to the Frasciscan Center's website by clicking onto the logo at left.

email: catholic.jewish.center@saintleo.edu

phone: 352-588-8597

web: http://www.cjstudies.org