Home | Poem | Jokes | Games | Science | Biography | Celibrity Video | বাংলা


Christian, Jewish Leaders Call for Understanding between the Two Religions

  Israel Insights

Crosswalk Home  |  Devotionals  |  Bible Study Tools  |  More Newsletters

Wednesday, June 15, 2011 Email Send to a Friend   Mobile Mobile
Israel Insights

Christian, Jewish Leaders Call for Understanding between the Two Religions
Christian, Jewish Leaders Call for Understanding between the Two Religions
Nicole Jansezian

Two organizations, one Jewish and one Christian, have released statements on the relationship between Jews and Christians, encouraging understanding and dialogue between the two religions with certain established boundaries.

The Israel-based Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding and Cooperation and the American-based Hebraic Heritage Christian Center both released statements on Tuesday defending the other religion and promoting mutual understanding and cooperation between members of the faith. They recognize the potential to partner together in the spreading of a monotheistic religion based on the God of Israel.

The release of the statements is groundbreaking, especially for an Orthodox Jewish organization.


“From an Orthodox perspective we’ve never really dialogued with Christians officially,” David Nekrutman, executive director of the CJCUC, told Travelujah, the only Christian travel social networking site. “The statement is solely the opinion of the CJCUC - it doesn’t represent world Jewry, but it should be seen as a catalyst of conversation.”

Tension and misunderstanding have long marked the relationship between Christians and Jews on a theological and religious level. Centuries of mistrust, plus theological differences, have driven a wedge between the two religions. But an awakening among Christians, particularly Evangelicals, has stirred a pro-Israel sentiment and a desire by many to seek out the Jewish roots of the Christian faith.

Nekrutman said that it would be prudent for Israel to reach out to the Christian hand extended in friendship toward the Jewish state.

“We can ignore the friendship (Christians) have extended to us,” he said. “Or we could take the approach that we wish to have this long overdue conversation and see if we can work together to better the relationship.”


CJCUC’s Founder Rabbi Shlomo Riskin recognizes that many in different streams of Christianity have become sincere  friends of the Jewish people and the State of Israel. “It is vital that we strengthen our relationship with them. We are certain that through these relational dialogues we will find far more which unites us than divides us,” he said.

According to the HHCC, based in Atlanta, the aim is to usher in “new era of Christian-Jewish relations based on mutual respect and support.”

“As Christians, we benefit from the input of Jewish scholars and spiritual leaders into our understanding of the faith of Abraham and the Hebrew Scriptures. As Christians we also share the Jewish call to bless all people,” the HHCC statement reads.


HHCC President John Garr said Christians must recognize that “they are indebted to the Jewish people of history and the present for the core elements of their faith.”

Both statements draw lines that should not be crossed and highlight areas where Christians and Jews will continue to disagree. The Christian statement says there should not be any active proselytization of Jews.

Riskin and his organization have been criticized by Jewish groups who say that Jews should not associate with Christians for fear of conversion.

“When you’re pioneering you are going to have people criticize what you are doing,” Nekrutman said. “The criticism comes from a minority group that doesn’t have the backing of the major Jewish world.”


The CJCUC statement has been years in the making. The center, located in Efrat, has long hosted Christian groups for day long educational experiences, tours of the Efrat area, seminars and dialogue. Nekrutman said tourists may come and interact with the people of the land.

“What better way to experience the land than with the people here in an open honest dialogue?” he said. “Tens of thousands of people have come through and walked away knowing something unique has happened. You walk away with a difference experience of Israel and a different approach in how to look at the Bible.”

The CJCUC statement concludes: “If Jews and Christians can become partners after nearly 2,000 years of theological delegitimization and physical conflict, then peace is possible between any two peoples anywhere. That p
eace would be our most powerful witness to God’s presence in human history and to our covenantal responsibility to carry God’s blessing to the world. It is the very essence of which the messianic dream is made of.”

The full statements can be read here for CJCUC and here for HHCC.

Nicole Jansezian writes for Travelujah.Travelujah is the only Christian social network focused on travel to Israel. People can learn, plan and share their Holy Land tour and travel experiences on Travelujah. For further information on Christian tourism to Israel  please contact Holy Land Tours - Travelujah

This article published on June 14, 2011. Used by permission from Travelujah. All rights reserved.

Watch more Christian Video Sermons & Messages from Ministries on LightSource.com
Facebook Twitter


•  Visit Israel - You'll Never Be The Same

•  Free Books that will Change Your Life

•  Fundraising? Get FREE kit

•  Your Private Christian School

•  Publish Your Book

Crosswalk.com is a member of the Salem Web Network of sites including:

• Oneplace.com

• LightSource.com

• ChristianJobs.com

• CrossCards.com

• SermonSearch.com

• Christianity.com
Send a FREE Ecard! More FREE Ecards
First Fathers Day
Enjoy Years
First Fathers Day
It's Your Birthday
Click Here

Enter Our Photo Contest, See New Galleries, Get Photo Tips, and More

National Geographic Travel Newsletter
If you're having trouble viewing this email, see it on the Web.
June 2011

Enter Today

Weekly Galleries

See Wallpapers

Play Puzzles

Vote Now

Submit your best travel photos, and you'll be in the running for great prizes, including a 14-day expedition to the British Isles and publication in Traveler magazine. Plus, every week you can check in to see all the recent entries and vote for your favorites.

  • Enter the Contest Today »
  • See All Entries »


  •   Our Digital Nomad Andrew Evans, or @WheresAndrew as he's known on Twitter, has set off to Ontario for a new adventure. Follow his journey.


      Start California dreaming with this gallery of our favorite user photos from San Diego to San Francisco.


      Check out these amazing hikes in some of the world's most spectacular locations.


      Slip past the initial reserve of this proud Italian metropolis and you find a city with a passionate heart.
     

      Get professional tips on how to best capture outdoor scenes, from moonlit trees to snowy peaks.


      People reveal as much about a destination as its architecture and landscapes. Here's how to capture their essence.

    Six Great European Hotel Chains

    Best Cities to Kayak

    Yeah Baby!
    '60s-Style London

    Top 10 Classic Summer Lodges

    Prost! Best Beer Trips in Europe


      7 Days | Departs Aug. 7, 2011
    Hike lesser-known trails with a naturalist, watch geysers gurgle and mud pots boil, meet wildlife biologists, and take a private tour of one of the West's finest wildlife art museums. Learn more.


      11 Days | Departs Sep. 12, 2011
    Set out on a wildlife safari amid the incredible diversity of landscapes in Tanzania's most famous national parks. Explore the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, and Olduvai Gorge. Learn more.


      Hone your photography skills over a long weekend in one of America's most photogenic cities with a National Geographic photographer. Cities include New York, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. Learn more.








    Want to know the real Ireland? Just ask the locals and enjoy a vacation from a typical vacation on the island of Ireland this summer.
    discoverireland.com


    Transit the Panama Canal and explore Costa Rica's vibrant rain forest and undersea with Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic. Book now to receive a complimentary 3-day stay in the Monteverde Cloud Forest. (Restrictions apply)
    Learn more.


    Thank you for the heartfelt concern you have expressed to the disaster in northeastern Japan. Please support us by visiting Japan this summer.
    japantravelinfo.com.


    Enter the Nature Valley® National Parks Project Sweepstakes. One lucky winner and guest will receive a 7-day wildlife adventure with a National Geographic Expeditions expert. Go to NationalGeographic.com/NatureValleyParks for Official Rules and to enter.


    Start planning your Scotland vacation. Download or order your free planner for maps, tips, and great offers on flights and tours. It's sure to inspire you!
    cometoscotland.com.






    If you received this email from a friend and would like to subscribe to this or other National Geographic emails, click here.

    Unsubscribe | Change Email Address | Update Email Preferences | Privacy Policy | Mission Statement | Customer Service

    Click the unsubscribe link above to be removed from our email program, or send your request to…
    National Geographic; Attn: E-newsletter Program; 1145 17th Street NW; Washington, DC 20036.
    Please note your opt-out will not affect your receipt of other information and emails from National Geographic, which we hope you will find of interest.

    Copyright © 2011 National Geographic Society. All Rights Reserved.

    To ensure you receive your National Geographic emails, please add ngs@newsletters.nationalgeographic.com to your address book now.