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| Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies High Holy Days Special Edition |
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| e-Subscriber Newsletter |
September 10, 2007 |
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As we focus upon these High Holy Days, I know that even many of us Gentiles also join with our Jewish bretheren in reflecting upon our lives and the meaning of these days. Also in this special edition we celebrate the successes gained at the Center with the Walking God's Paths series. May you and your family all be specially blessed during these coming days.
Shalom & Pax,
Tom Buckridge
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 Rabbi Rudin's Commentary
The central theme of both the New Year/Rosh HaShanah (Sept.13-14) and the Day of Atonement/Yom Kippur (Sept. 22) is intense introspection followed by tangible acts of contrition and repentance. Special jam packed synagogue worship services begin on the eve of each holiday and contain specific prayers and music recited only during the two holy days. As we begin the Jewish year 5768, I especially need Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur as a ten day period to reflect upon both my personal life as well as the extraordinary stress, division and trauma our nation is experiencing.
Although the ancient rabbis who created the demanding High Holy Day liturgy were not familiar with the term 'spin,' as we currently use it, they certainly knew all about self-deception, reckless arrogance and dangerous pride. To crack through the defences we humans have erected to avoid introspection and an honest reckoning of our lives, a central requirement of Yom Kippur is a day long fast by adult Jews. Fasting, especially as its physical impact is felt towards the end of the Day of Atonement, compels us to honestly examine our deeds and motives, as well as the series of lies we tell ourselves, our family, and our friends.
The always realistic rabbis were fully aware of life's grim uncertainties and they prayerfully wondered during Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur about the coming year: "How many of us shall pass away and how many shall be born, who shall live and who shall die, who will finish out allotted time on earth and who will not, who will perish by fire, who by water, who by hunger and who by thirst, who by earthquake and who by plague, who shall be at rest and who shall be wandering, who will remain tranquil, and who will be disturbed?" Yet the High Holy Days always end on a note of hope with the traditional Hebrew greeting, "L'Shanah Tovah Tikatayvu.'' May all of us be inscribed in God's Book of Life for a sweet, healthy and peaceful New Year.
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 Education: The Heart of Interfaith Dialogue
As Catholic and Jews approach their respective 'Holy Days,' both communities can use this time of year as an opportunity to grow in knowlege about other's religious traditions. Students in Saint Leo University's spring 2007 Christian-Jewish dialogue course approached this topic as scholars, and learned to describe and explain the ideals, practices and institutions of Christianity and Judaism. Sources for educational materials should be reliable and respected. For web-based reliable information related to Catholicism and Judaism see the links below this article. You may also visit (below) the Resources and Community Partners sections of our Center's website for more information and links related to interfaith education and dialogue.
- Linda S. Taggart, MA, Religious Studies
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Quick Links for The Heart of Interfaith Dialogue |
US Conference of Catholic BishopsUSCCB
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WGP Link The Rabbi, the Priest and the Professor plan for Tampa's Walking God's Paths study group.
(left to rt: Rev. Ralph Argentino, Linda S. Taggart & Rabbi Marc Sack - 8/8/07)
Father Ralph Argentino of Christ the King Catholic Church and Rabbi Marc Sack of Congregation Rodeph Sholom met recently with Linda Taggart, Program Chair for the Center to finalize plans for Tampa's first clergy-led Walking God's Paths (WGP) Study Group. The respected six session education and dialogue series was developed by Dr. Phil Cunningham and Boston College and is endorsed by the National Council of Synagogues and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. Members of both Tampa congregations will register for all six sessions. Meetings will alternate between the church and synagogue locations. The number of particpants will be limited in order to preserve the small group discussion format. The Center is proud to endorse the WGP study group and also can provide advice and assistance to clergy and congregations who have an interest in starting their own such study groups. For detailed information, including links to Boston Colleger's primary WGP website, please click onto the 'WGP Link' above.
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Saint Leo University | A collaboration of Saint Leo University and the American Jewish Committee | P.O. Box 6665- 2460 | Saint Leo | FL | 33574-6665
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