Center for Jewish–Christian Understanding and Cooperation explained

The Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding and Cooperation
Founders:Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Riskin
David Nekrutman
Location:Jerusalem
Services:Jewish–Christian relations
& Bible study center
Abbreviation:CJCUC
Parent Organization:Ohr Torah Stone
Leader Title:Chancellor
Leader Name:Rabbi Kenneth Brander
Leader Title2:Executive director
Leader Name2:David Nekrutman
Leader Title3:Director Central Europe
Leader Name3:Rabbi Josh Ahrens

The Center for Jewish–Christian Understanding and Cooperation or CJCUC is an educational institution at which Christians who tour Israel can study the Hebrew Bible with Orthodox rabbis and learn about the Hebraic roots of Christianity. The center was established in Efrat in 2008 by Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Riskin, who has been described as "the most prominent rabbinic spokesperson to Christian Zionists".[1] CJCUC partners with major Christian interfaith organizations such as Christians United for Israel and the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem.[1] Since Riskin's retirement as president of Ohr Torah Stone in 2018, the overseeing of all CJCUC activities has been turned over to David Nekrutman who has served as the center's chief director since its inception.[2]

History

The ideological groundwork, which led to the eventual establishment of CJCUC in 2008, began to take shape almost 50 years beforehand. In 1964, Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, the teacher and mentor of CJCUC's Chancellor and Founder, Shlomo Riskin, published an essay entitled "Confrontation"[3] in which he expounded his views on interfaith dialogue and carefully drew out guidelines which permitted such a dialogue and, in the view of Riskin, not only permitted it but rendered it necessary.

At around the same time, fundamental ideological shifts were forming within the ranks of the Catholic Church, and a year after Soloveitchik's essay was published, The Holy See issued Nostra aetate, the Declaration on the Relation of the Church with Non-Christian Religions. Nostra aetate absolved the Jews from the crucifixion of Jesus, and admitted that religious antisemitism had a significant role in laying the foundation for the atrocities perpetrated against the Jewish people.

Riskin's academic plunge into Jewish–Christian relations began in the early 1960s when he attended seminars, held by Professor David Flusser, about the Christian Gospels at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. As an Orthodox Jew, he could pinpoint the parallels for Jesus' teachings within the Hebrew scripture.[4]

After settling in Efrat, Riskin began to engage with the Christian world. Most of the Christian visitors to Efrat, those who came to hear and learn, were Evangelicals. He formed relations with Rev. Robert Stearns of Eagles' Wings and with Pastor John Hagee.[5] [6]

Since Riskin's retirement as president of Ohr Torah Stone institutions in 2018, the overseeing of all CJCUC activities has been turned over to David Nekrutman who has served as the center's chief director since its inception.

Activities

Hebraic Bible Study

CJCUC hosts Christian groups from all over the world for all-day seminars,[7] [8] [9] which include toursof biblical sites such as nearby Jerusalem, the Path of the Patriarchs and the Herodian wells.Among the subjects that the seminar series includes are Jewish–Christian Relations; the Theologyof Biblical Holidays; Covenant and Mission; The Ten Commandments; Satan, Evil and Free Will;Judaism and the Ministry of Jesus; and Human Life Created in the Image of God.

The center runs educational seminars for students and faculty of Catholic and Protestant seminaries in the United States, Canada, and Europe. It has appointed North American and European directors to coordinate relations with religious leaders on these continents.

CJCUC has established a Theological Think Tank, the Institute for Theological Inquiry (ITI),[10] headed by Rabbi Eugene Korn and Dr. Robert Jenson of the Witherspoon Institute, which consists of international scholars and theologians whose tasks are to clarify areas of Jewish and Christian theological agreement and disagreement,[11] as well as identify areas of fruitful cooperation. The topics focus on past and present Jewish–Christian Relations, Covenant, Salvation, Biblical Hermeneutics, Religion and Violence, Ethical Monotheism, andMessianism.

In May 2011, CJCUC facilitated and sponsored a Yale University student group consisting of Orthodox Jewish and Evangelical Christians to learn the fundamentals of Jewish–Christian relations.[12]

In March 2012, CJCUC took Latin American priests and rabbis to learn the fundamentals of Jewish-Catholic relations in the backdrop of the Holy Land.[8] [13]

In June 2012, CJCUC partnered with Christians United for Israel to bring 30 Evangelical pastors from the U.S. to learn the fundamentals of Jewish–Christian relations.[14]

In February 2013, CJCUC co-sponsored the visit of more than 160 pastors to Israel through the Christians United for Israel organization.[15]

In January 2015, CJCUC founder, Rabbi Shlomo Riskin along with CJCUC's Executive Director, David Nekrutman, addressed a group of 400 pastors and rabbis at a symposium held in Broward County, Florida.[16]

In February 2015, on a visit to Oklahoma, Rabbi Riskin unveiled plans for historic high school curricula, being worked on in a joint effort with the government of Israel, detailing advancements in Jewish–Christian relations.[17]

In July 2016, CJCUC announced that it was moving its center of operations from Efrat to the Bible Lands Museum in Jerusalem.[18] [19]

CJCUC has received funds from Israel's Hertog family, Paul Singer Foundation, Zion's Gate International Foundation, Ministry of Justice, and John Hagee Ministries.

Day to Praise

See main article: article and Day to Praise. In October 2014, Riskin became the first Orthodox rabbi to invite Christian visitors to Israel to participate in a "praise rally" with Jewish interfaith leaders at the Center's headquarters during the holiday of Sukkot.[20] For Sukkot 2012, he hosted a seminar for Christian visitors.[21]

In March 2015, he launched the Day to Praise global initiative calling out to Christians worldwide to join him in reciting Hallel (Psalms 113–118) to praise God on Yom Ha'atzmaut (Israel's Independence Day).[22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34]

Later that year, in 2015, during the festival of Sukkot, CJCUC, together with its founder, Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, the chief rabbi of Efrat, hosted an interfaith event in Efrat in which 200 Christians and Jews came together to sing the praises of God in unity. Riskin said that "the prayer event will help usher in the Messianic Age."[35]

Blessing Bethlehem

See main article: article and Blessing Bethlehem. CJCUC created the first food voucher program to help financially disadvantaged Christian Arabs living in the Land.

In September 2016, the center launched the "Blessing Bethlehem" fundraising initiative at the LifeLight Festival in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in and effort to create a food giveaway program for persecuted Christians in Bethlehem and the surrounding area.[36] [37]

Social activism

In October 2013, CJCUC Executive Director, David Nekrutman published a controversial appeal for funds from Jews to support the purchase of a permanent site for the Christian-Arab church of Pastor Steven Khoury.[38] [39]

In May 2014, CJCUC sponsored an interfaith Latin American clergy mission that visited the Ziv Medical Center in Safed, Israel, donating supplies to wounded Syrian civil war refugees.[40] [41]

In a September 2015 piece for The Times of Israel, Executive Director, David Nekrutman appealed to the Israeli Ministry of Education in regards to budget cuts and equal funding for Christian Schools in Israel citing these budget cuts as "collateral damage" of internal political issues and stating that these issues "should never oppress minority populations".[42] Later, together with The Pave the Way Foundation (PTWF) and the Galilee Center for Studies in Jewish-Christian Relations (CSJCR), CJCUC initiated an international campaign urging the Israeli Prime Minister and Education Ministry to Save Christian Education.[43]

Accomplishments

CJCUC accomplishments include:

Orthodox Rabbinic Statement on Christianity

See main article: To Do the Will of Our Father in Heaven: Toward a Partnership between Jews and Christians. On 3 December 2015, CJCUC spearheaded a petition of orthodox rabbis from around the world calling for increased partnership between Jews and Christians.[49] [50] [51] [52] [53] [54]

The unprecedented statement, entitled "To Do the Will of Our Father in Heaven: Toward a Partnership between Jews and Christians", was initially signed by over 25 prominent Orthodox rabbis in Israel, United States, and Europe.[55]

The statement cites traditional opinions by past rabbinic authorities to justify partnership with Christians and religious appreciation of Christianity.

In May 2017, the statement was approbated by Rabbi Abraham Skorka of Argentina and Cardinal Christoph Schönborn Archbishop of Vienna.

Publications

Staff

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. The Messiah and Rabbi Jesus: Policing the Jewish–Christian border in Christian Zionism. Culture and Religion. Faydra L.. Shapiro. 2012. 12. 4. 463–477. 10.1080/14755610.2011.633537. 143392018.
  2. Web site: INTERFAITH RELATIONS: EVANGELICAL-JEWISH RELATIONS AFTER ECKSTEIN. JEREMY. SHARON. EYTAN. HALON. The Jerusalem Post. 28 February 2019. 1 March 2019.
  3. Confrontation, Tradition 6:2 p5-9, 1964. Reprinted in "A Treasury of Tradition", Hebrew Publishing Co, NY, 1967. –
  4. Shabat HaGadol – translated from Hebrew – page 15
  5. Shabat HaGadol – translated from Hebrew – page 18
  6. Web site: he. Jewish–Christian Dialogue: Rethinking. Zur. Erlich. Makor Rishon. 17 May 2012. 25 October 2017.
  7. Web site: Riskin to launch interfaith center. 29 May 2008. 23 October 2014. Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
  8. Web site: WJC co-sponsors Israel trip of Latin American priests. 1 March 2013. 24 October 2014. World Jewish Congress. https://web.archive.org/web/20141024051546/http://www.worldjewishcongress.org/fr/news/13197/wjc_co_sponsors_israel_trip_of_latin_american_priests?print=true. 24 October 2014. dead. dmy-all.
  9. Web site: es. Zacarías 8:23 se cumple: Más de 20,000 Cristianos aprenden la Biblia Hebrea con Rabinos Ortodoxos en Israel. Roger. Casco Herrera. 16 May 2016. 20 May 2016. Profecía Al Día.
  10. http://www.standardnewswire.com/news/890647512.html "CJCUC Announces the Publication of Covenant & Hope"
  11. Covenant and Hope – Christian and Jewish Reflections – Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. – July 2012 –
  12. Web site: HHCC Makes Statement on Christian-Jewish Relations. Hebraic Heritage Christian Center. 23 May 2011. 23 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141011065122/http://hebraiccenter.org/portal/web/guest/covenant_and_witness. 11 October 2014. dead. dmy-all.
  13. Web site: Latin American Catholics and Jews share a trip to the Holy Land to bridge gaps. Deborah. Danan. 3 March 2012. 23 October 2014. The Jerusalem Post.
  14. Web site: Jews and Christian Evangelicals work to improve communication. Deseret News. 28 June 2012. 23 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141013223952/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765586635/Jews-and-Christian-Evangelicals-work-to-improve-communication.html. 13 October 2014. dead. dmy-all.
  15. Web site: CUFI Takes More than 160 Pastors to Israel (press release). 26 February 2013. 23 October 2014. Christians United for Israel. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923211748/http://www.cufi.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=12351. 23 September 2015. dead. dmy-all.
  16. Web site: Riskin: Interfaith dialogue critical. Marvin. Glassman. 26 January 2015. 28 January 2015. Sun-Sentinel.
  17. Web site: Rabbi Riskin announces historic curriculum for Israeli schools during visit to Oklahoma. Darla. Shelden. 25 February 2015. 8 March 2015. City-Sentinel.
  18. Web site: en. The Land of the Bible Meets the Word of the Bible. Christian Newswire. 14 July 2016. 14 July 2016.
  19. Web site: en. CJCUC is Moving to Jerusalem. MailChimp. 14 July 2016. 14 July 2016.
  20. Web site: Hundreds of Christians Joined Rabbi Riskin to Celebrate Sukkot. Christian Newswire. 22 October 2014. 23 October 2014.
  21. Web site: Efrat Tour: A Rabbinic View on the 'End of Days'. John. Black. 9 October 2012. 23 October 2014. International Christian Embassy Jerusalem.
  22. Web site: Rabbi Riskin Launches 'Day to Praise' Initiative. 3 March 2015. 8 March 2015. Christian Newswire.
  23. Web site: "Day to Praise" Calls on Christians, Jews Worldwide to Unite in Prayer. Raphael. Poch. Breaking Israel News. 23 March 2015. 23 March 2015.
  24. Web site: Calling on Christians and Jews to Recite 'Hallel' on Israeli Independence Day. Breaking Israel News. 22 March 2015. 23 March 2015. 3 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303170536/http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/33498/calling-on-christians-and-jews-to-recite-hallel-on-israeli-independence-day-israel-radio/. dead.
  25. Web site: A Day to Praise: Join Israel in Thanking God For His Continuous Protection. David. Nekrutman. Charisma Magazine. 23 March 2015. 23 March 2015.
  26. Web site: Day to Praise Initiative. Chris. Mitchell. CBN News. 23 March 2015. 23 March 2015.
  27. Web site: THIS IS HISTORIC! "Day to Praise" Calls on Christians & Jews Worldwide to Unite in Prayer. Christine. Darg. Jerusalem Channel. 29 March 2015. 30 March 2015.
  28. Web site: zh . 以色列獨立日 全球猶基要齊讚美神 . Kingdom Revival Times . 25 March 2015 . 7 April 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150721140706/http://www.krtnews.com.tw/world/item/15614-%E4%BB%A5%E8%89%B2%E5%88%97%E7%8D%A8%E7%AB%8B%E6%97%A5-%E5%85%A8%E7%90%83%E7%8C%B6%E5%9F%BA%E8%A6%81%E9%BD%8A%E8%AE%9A%E7%BE%8E%E7%A5%9E . 21 July 2015 .
  29. Web site: INSPIRED BY PSALM 117: "DAY TO PRAISE" CALLS ON CHRISTIANS AND JEWS TO THANK GOD FOR ISRAEL'S PROTECTION. Raphael. Poch. Breaking Christian News. 8 April 2015. 18 April 2015.
  30. Web site: Inspired by Psalm 117: "Day to Praise" Calls on Christians and Jews to Thank God for Israel's Protection. The Christian Observer. 9 April 2015. 18 April 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150525220638/http://tconews.com/inspired-by-psalm-117-day-to-praise-calls-on-christians-and-jews-to-thank-god-for-israels-protection/. 25 May 2015. dead. dmy-all.
  31. Web site: zh. 以色列獨立日 全球猶太人基督徒要齊聲讚美神. TaiwanBible.com. 5 April 2015. 18 April 2015.
  32. Web site: Praise Hashem All Nations. Rabbi Pesach. Wolicki. Breaking Israel News. 19 April 2015. 20 April 2015.
  33. Web site: Realization of Biblical Prophecy, God's Promise Coming to Life in Israel. Tuly. Weisz. Breaking Israel News. 20 April 2015. 21 April 2015.
  34. Web site: Historic 'Day to Praise' Includes Christians on Israeli Independence Day. Christine. Darg. Jerusalem Channel. 24 April 2015. 25 April 2015.
  35. Web site: Rabbi Shlomo Riskin: Interfaith Prayer "Bringing Us Closer" to Messianic Age. Adam Eliyahu. Berkowitz. Breaking Israel News. 14 October 2015. 15 October 2015.
  36. Web site: Food giveaway inspires outreach to Israel. John. Hult. Argus Leader. 2 September 2016. 22 September 2016.
  37. Web site: David Nekrutman: Connecting Christians. PAUL. CALVERT. The Jerusalem Post. 10 December 2019. 12 December 2019.
  38. Web site: A Call to Action. David. Nekrutman. The Jerusalem Post Christian Edition. October 2013. 23 October 2014. 22 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141222085159/http://jewishisrael.ning.com/page/cjcuc-s-executive-director-david-nekrutman-appeals-for-funds-to-b. dead.
  39. Web site: Director of Rabbi Riskin's Interfaith Center Appeals for Funding to Build Church in Jerusalem. Jewish Israel. 27 October 2013. 23 October 2014. 12 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141012222709/http://jewishisrael.ning.com/profiles/blogs/director-of-rabbi-riskin-s-interfaith-center-appeals-for-funding-. dead.
  40. Web site: Latin American clergy mission visits Syrian refugees in Israeli hospital. 19 May 2014. 23 October 2014. jns.org. https://web.archive.org/web/20141011203006/http://www.jns.org/news-briefs/2014/5/19/latin-american-christian-clergy-mission-visits-syrian-refugees-in-israeli-hospital#.U5q7utSSyiA=. 11 October 2014. dead. dmy-all.
  41. Web site: Latin American clergy visit Syrian refugees in Israeli hospital. The Bristol Press. 23 May 2014. 23 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20171005100813/http://bristolpress.com/articles/2014/05/23/state_-_nation/doc537fd96dc1727206700304.txt. 5 October 2017. dead. dmy-all.
  42. Web site: Collateral Damage. David. Nekrutman. The Times of Israel. 12 September 2015. 18 September 2015.
  43. Web site: International Campaign Urges Israeli Prime Minister to Save Christian Education. Christian News Wire. 17 September 2015. 18 September 2015.
  44. Web site: CJCUC Joins IJCIR As Partner. Christian Newswire. 29 March 2011. 23 October 2014.
  45. Web site: Rabbi and Pope discuss Jewish-Christian cooperation in Israel. 17 January 2011. 23 October 2014. Catholic News Agency.
  46. Web site: Pope Francis meets the Jewish delegation. Embassy of Israel to the Holy See. 24 June 2013.
  47. Online Learning Reaches into Holy Land. Mckensie. Garber. Excellence Magazine. Spring 2014. 13.
  48. Web site: Thousands Celebrate Israel in Seoul, Korea . 2012 . 23 October 2014 . The Jerusalem Connection . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141024022334/http://www.thejerusalemconnection.us/columns/2011/09/25/thousands-celebrate-israel-in-seoul-korea.html . 24 October 2014 .
  49. Web site: Groundbreaking Petition Signed by Leading Rabbis Calls for Increased Partnership Between Jews and Christians. Adam Eliyahu. Berkowitz. Breaking Israel News. 7 December 2015. 7 December 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20170420062605/https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/55561/groundbreaking-petition-signed-leading-rabbis-calls-increased-partnership-between-jews-christians-biblical-zionism/. 20 April 2017. dead.
  50. Web site: Modern Orthodox Leaders Bless Interfaith Dialogue. Steve. Lipman. The Jewish Week. 8 December 2015. 9 December 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160620040507/http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/national/modern-orthodox-leaders-bless-interfaith-dialogue. 20 June 2016. dead.
  51. Web site: Vatican, Orthodox rabbis issue interfaith statements affirming each other's faith. Peter. Smith. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 11 December 2015. 20 December 2015.
  52. Web site: Towards Jewish-Christian Reconciliation & Partnership. Rabbi Shmuly. Yanklowitz. Huffington Post. 3 February 2016. 9 February 2016.
  53. Web site: Mutual Judeo-Christian spiritual foundation of Judaism and Christianity. VLADIMIR. MINKOV. Jerusalem Post. 7 February 2016. 9 February 2016.
  54. Web site: Orthodox Rabbis issue groundbreaking statement on Christianity. Vatican Radio. 10 December 2015. 16 August 2016.
  55. Web site: Orthodox Rabbinic Statement on Christianity – To Do the Will of Our Father in Heaven – Toward a Partnership between Jews and Christians. CJCUC. 3 December 2015. 16 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161016174221/http://cjcuc.com/site/2015/12/03/orthodox-rabbinic-statement-on-christianity/. 16 October 2016. dead.
  56. Web site: Rabbi Angel Kreiman-Brill zl (1945–2014). Dr. Deborah. Weissman. 1 September 2014. 23 October 2014. International Council of Christians and Jews.

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