NEWSLETTER No: 56 – December 2003

?Think of those who were victims
and of our own fear that one day we may be victims…”

Addressing last month's Commemoration of the Night of Broken Glass (Kristallnacht) in the shadows of Sydney's St. Andrew's Anglican Cathedral, the Bishop of South Sydney, Bishop Robert Forsyth poignantly recalled the pogrom of violence against Jews, synagogues and Jewish buildings that broke out in Germany and Austria on November 9, 1938 . “”Today, even 65 years on, Kristallnacht still echoes with the chill memory of the beginning, of the horrors that were soon to engulf the peoples and especially the Jewish peoples of Europe””, he said. He went on to point out that Kristallnacht was the beginning, in a very real way, of the horrors of the Holocaust which were to follow. “”Therefore it stands not just for what happened on that night, which has been overshadowed tragically by other violence against peoples, but because it stands as a symbol of such terrible violence.

A remembering that must never cease
“”It has a particular significance for Christians and Jews. That such things could happen in a country that was at least in a nominal sense Christian continues to be a source of grief and even repentance from Christians. For Jews it is part of a remembering that must never cease. “”Today we pause to remember and reaffirm our commitments. To stand against the evil of antisemitism and all its fellow travellers. Our Kristallnacht focus is on the Holocaust today. Sadly there is even a wider picture of the human evil of genocide. Can we not also be aware of the wider horrors of the last century: Stalin's millions, Mao Zhe Dung's millions, Pol Pot's millions and other, lesser genocides in Europe and Asia and Africa. The human condition and the human situation are such that the threat of such events again will never go away, “he told the Commemoration gathering adding “”the threats are not consigned to history. They remain with us. Was it not only earlier this year that a man convicted of involvement in a cruel bombing of tourists at a Bali hotel sang, 'You can do jihad with lifted weapons. You can do jihad everywhere until the spirit has left the body, kicking out the mean Zionists. Kick out the filthy people of the crucifix.'

South Sydney?s Anglican Bishop Robert Forsy

Bishop Forsyth went on to point out that today's society is not only dealing with such individuals.
””I fear that today at the beginning of the 21st century there are movements, peoples and even governments that in their attitudes, for example, toward Jews resemble Germany of the 1930s ? a time when state-sponsored insults, caricatures, conspiracy theories and sporadic violence prepared Germans for the mass murder that followed.

Too many as onlookers
“”Today reminds us to think of those who were victims and of our own fear that one day we may be victims. Even more terribly, to think how could there be those who are perpetrators and be aware that we too may find ourselves, if not perpetrators, then standing as onlookers.

“”Today we stand for freedom of religion. Including the freedom to have no religion or to change religion or seek to persuade others to a point of view. We stand for the recognition of human dignity and the rights of true God, the maker of the heaven and the earth, we have received the precious gift of our humanity and stand accountable before him. “”Today we stand for freedom of religion. We stand for the recognition of human dignity and the rights of each human being, made in the image of God. “”Today we pause to remember and reaffirm our commitments. To stand against the evil of Anti-Semitism and all its fellow travellers.””

An Open Letter to Uniting Church Congregations

Cardinal Cassidy and Rabbi Levi: Dialogue is progressing

Writing to the Uniting Church constituency throughout Australia, its President, Rev. Dr Dean Drayton reported that the Church has established a three-step process that will allow the breadth of the church to be heard on the matter of people in committed, same-gender relationships being in leadership positions.

He went on to say that at its November meeting, the Assembly Standing Committee (the group elected to oversee the work of the Assembly between meetings) has once again heard of the cost and division this matter has caused for many – but not all – within the church. “”As a body the Assembly Standing Committee (ASC) carefully and prayerfully considered the pastoral responses needed to take our church forward. “”We believe we have developed a genuine road map to the next Assembly, so that people are able to take part in the process of discerning the doctrine of the church with regard to people in committed, same-gender relationships being in leadership positions.

“”While the polity of the Church has always meant that a Presbytery might ordain such a person, the ASC has heard the voice of the church indicating that it wants this matter to be addressed by the Assembly itself. “”We have set up a three-step process that will allow the breadth of the church to be heard on this matter and, through our presbyteries and Synods, prepare for decisions on this issue for the 2006 Assembly, if it sees fit.

The process is: 1. Refer Assembly minute 03.12.03 as varied by ASC minute 03.69 (proposal 84) to congregations and presbyteries for their responses by 30 April 2004; 2. Establish a year-long period of Biblical and theological study where members and councils of the church can seek to discern God's will on these matters; 3. Prepare a full report on the above steps, by September 2005 to resource Synods and presbyteries in preparation for the 11th Assembly. “”The request for responses from Councils and Congregations will come under separate cover early in the new year. “”We feel it is very important for our whole church to engage in this matter at a doctrinal level, as the basis of working towards a final resolution at a future Assembly. Tasks groups and working groups, representing the breadth of the church, have been established to ensure this open process can take place””, the letter adds.

In an address presented to the recent launch ceremony of the of CCJ?s Gesher Magazine for 2003, Archbishop Denis Hart (illust. below) paid tribute to the outgoing editor, Gad Ben-Meir who, Bishop Hart said ?has worked hard towards another successful issue. ?His generosity and skill over many years are deeply appreciated and I congratulate him on behalf of us all”, the Bishop said. He went on to say he read many articles on the encounter of Jacob and Esau, our relationship with Islam as the third great monotheistic religion and the positive contribution which these articles made to our common search for a humanity seeking to understand the riches and wonder of God and to live and work in his presence. ?I must confess to not a little envy of Dr. John Levi and Professor Robert Anderson, admired in Judaism and Christianity respectively. It did illustrate to me that our own association is a great enrichment and an exploration of a world in which human beings are made as the crown of creation called endless life. ?It was with similar interest in this last issue that I noted the focus on our common heritage in Abraham and his descendants to bring the name of God to the nations. During his visit to Israel in March 2001 Pope John Paul II promised to commit ourselves to genuine brotherhood with the people of the Covenant.”
Fundamental challenges
?One of the fundamental challenges of today?s modern world is the dialogue of faith and culture and the ongoing challenge by which we seek to live a life-giving faith”, Archbishop Hart continued. ?Such dialogue between faith and culture is necessary because both are normative systems telling us what to do. Children say to their parents ?everybody's doing it', especially when they are young teenagers and the ?everybody? is the culture. The culture tells you want to do. So is the faith. If the faith and culture clash or disagree it is because faith is a gift from God and culture is a human construct. This can then create tension in-side us because both faith and culture are integral to us.”
An unwanted child
In a spirited slant on religion as it impacts on today?s society, the Archbishop went on to say that one of the great mistakes of our modern society is to deal with God, to tame him by making him powerless and religion a hobby. ?Or, to put it another way, we have lived with the idea of an unwanted child which must be done away with.”?In a world of these challenges, our dialogue on matters of faith and culture, a realization of the ways in which we can enrich each other is truly significant”, he concluded.

At a unique function at Sydney?s Jewish Museum late November 3003, Idris Edward, Cardinal Cassidy and Melbourne?s Rabbi John Levi AM undertook the onerous task of debating the vital question as to whether Interfaith Dialogue in Australia is making progress or is regressing. The capacity audience heard the two clerics come to the positive conclusion that while there are still considerable problems to surmount and tasks to be achieved, on the whole the ledger looks positive. The ?conversation” was moderated by the ABC?s Stephen Crittenden, the host of Radio National?s ?Religion Report” and was recorded for rebroadcast on the ABC?s national radio network and on its world wide website. In addition, Crittenden reported that the program is also taken up by a large list of member stations of the American Public Broadcasting system as well as the CBC in Canada. The broadcaster attempted to draw out Rabbi Levi on a number of contentious issues as but true to form, Melbourne?s Rabbi Emeritus held his ground and put his case forcefully for greater understanding on the part of a section of the Christian churches for the need to foster acceptance of the commonalities and respect for the differences between the faiths. Cardinal Cassidy was generous in his praise for his colleagues in the Vatican during his presidency of its Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and of the Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews. He pointed out that relations between the Catholic Church and the Jewish people have improved significantly in the last half-century and added that the education of future clergy and lay leaders in both communities is crucial if coming generations are to sustain and further this progress. In particular, the curricula of Catholic seminaries and schools of theology should continue to reflect the central importance of the church's new understanding of its relationship to Jews. pictured below: Melbourne?s Rabbi John Levi, the ABC?s Stephen Crittenden and His Eminence, Cardinal Cassidy during the recent ?conversation” between the two clerics at Sydney?s Jewish Museum, the joint host of the function with the NSW Council of Christians & Jews.

Spirited vote of thanks from retired High Court Judge, Marcus Einfeld

In moving a vote of thanks at the recent Sydney ?conversation” between Melbourne?s Rabbi John Levi AM and retired President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and of the Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews, Cardinal Edward Cassidy, prominent lawyer and human rights proponent, Marcus Einfeld QC said that the concepts of interfaith dialogue should not be confined merely to the religious arena. The retired High Court judge said he believed that many of the world?s inequities, whether they were religious, cultural, social or political needed greater understanding on the part of society and government if such inequities were to be forcefully addressed. In moving his vote of thanks to the participants of the ?conversation” Judge Einfeld also paid tribute to the Sydney Jewish Museum and the NSW Council of Christians and Jews.

Nothing beats being there

Israel up close is reassuringly different than Israel from afar. No matter how much we may know about Israel, and no matter how much we tell ourselves that the media presents a distorted story, nothing beats being there. I know because I've just been there for two unforgettable weeks. Israelis mourn every life lost, but as a people they've chosen to live, and dare I say it, “”lamrot hakol”- despite everything. They pack Tel Aviv beaches on Shabbat afternoon; the coffee shops in Jerusalem are buzzing. Concerts are booked out, Israeli dance classes are crowded, the buses criss-cross the country in every direction, and, most strikingly, the Israeli media reflect the country's dedication to free speech, sometimes maddeningly so. For me, this experience of everyday Israel was like breathing in pure oxygen: exhilarating, stimulating and energising. If only more friends of Israel could understand this side of the reality and come and see for themselves, it would not only boost Israel's tourist industry, but boost the sense of pride and identification of every visitor. So, having just come off the plane, I can only suggest you board one, and make Israel your next destination.

Aura Levin Lipski, Publisher Jewish Australia Online Network – The internet home of Jewish Australia dot com http://www.jewishaustralia.com

Welcome the next issue

While not accustomed to writing letters to the editors of newspapers or magazines, I cannot allow the opportunity to pass without saying how much I look forward to each issue of the Christian-Jewish Scene. The issues with which the publication deals are so important in our multicultural society that there is no question that we must encourage as much dialogue as possible between the faiths in order to ensure that we develop a greater understanding, particularly for our future generations.

Chaim Ben Levi, Maroubra, NSW

Editorial

Lecture in Honour of the Late
Rabbi Ronald Lubofsky

In Sydney last month, an unprecedented phenomenon saw the light of day in the form of the visit by Mrs. Hanan Ashrawi, the Palestinian politician recipient of a prize in the name of Peace awarded by the University of Sydney. The award in itself and indeed the entire visit was convoluted by an extraordinary shrill of voice and inept of execution campaign firstly to have the prize withdrawn, then to have the Premier of New South Wales, the Hon. Bob Carr withdraw his participation in the Award ceremony and indeed to decry the entire visit as a negation of validity.
The campaign, to their entire retrospective embarrassment was orchestrated by various segments of the Jewish community. It needs to be said that, regrettably, much of it was motivated by self interest and, as so often is the case, by organisations with differing agendas. Needless to say the University refused to withdraw the prize; the Premier stood his ground and — while on record as a staunch supporter of Israel and the Jewish community in New South Wales — went ahead with the presentation of the prize.

Square metres of newsprint were filled with correspondence, columns and comment. The talk back radio programs were awash with callers with one opinion or another, as well as — as is so often the case with mindless phone-ins from listeners to such programs — those with no opinion of their own. All this despite desperate pleas from the more balanced mindsets in the community who had made the case for no comment at all, given that the award was a fait accompli (it had been made some seven months previously) and that a State Premier, once committed to making an award and giving the recipient the right of reply from a Parliamentary platform, would be ill advised to reverse his decision so to do. But all this is hindsight. All this can now, mercifully be put into the files of history and probably soon forgotten.
What hopefully will not soon be forgotten is the lesson to be learned from this sorry affair. The lesson which both Jewish and Christian communities must bear well and truly in the forefront of their minds come the release next year of the Mel Gibson ?Passion” film. Its content is bound to offend in some circles. Its slant may well be regarded at best historically incorrect, at worst a travesty.

What hopefully will not soon be forgotten is the lesson to be learned from this sorry affair. The lesson which both Jewish and Christian communities must bear well and truly in the forefront of their minds come the release next year of the Mel Gibson ?Passion” film. Its content is bound to offend in some circles. Its slant may well be regarded at best historically incorrect, at worst a travesty.
Whatever stance one may wish to take, the worst possible scenario is an outburst of protest from every
side of the continent, outcries of denial from all corners of the ecumenical constituency.       >>>

The Victorian Council of Christians and Jews honoured the memory of its staunch supporter, the late Rabbi Ronald Lubofky by dedicating the Piet Van Boxel address on ?Censorship and Conversion” in his name. The concept of the title deals with how Jews were forced to read the Bible with Christian eyes, a topic on which Dr. Van Boxel has done a considerable amount of research. As Librarian of the Oxford Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies, he is a renowned expert on Church censorship of rabbinic literature in sixteenth century Italy. Prior to his current role, he lectured for fourteen years at the University of Utrecht in Holland on rabbinic literature and the Jewish context of the New Testament.

Cardinal Walter Kasper at Raheen

A special luncheon to celebrate the visit by Cardinal Walter Kasper to Australia took place earlier this year at Raheen in suburban Melbourne. Hosted by Richard Pratt AC and Jeanne Pratt AC in association with the Victorian Council of Christians and Jews and the Marist Brothers, the luncheon was MCd by well know n entertainment celebrity, Tony Barber.

The gathering brought together people from all walks of life, with representation from business, academia, church and synagogue. The generosity of Mr.& Mrs. Pratt in hosting the function in their gracious home was augmented by a song from the host and a recital from a young Melbourne pianist. Cardinal Kasper spoke briefly about some of the issues ahead for Jewish- Christian dialogue and the possible pathways for further engagement with one another, as well as ways in which the two faiths can seek to contribute to the direction of Australian society. Widely respected for his work in Christian ecumenical relations, Kasper was chosen in 1979 as one of a dozen Catholic theologians to sit on the World Council of Churches' Faith and Order Commissionsion, one of the most comprehensive theological forums in Christianity. In 1994 he was named co-chairman of the Lutheran-Catholic Commission of Unity and five years later was appointed secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity

in Rome. On May 3, 2001, Pope John Paul II named Kasper as its president, succeeding the retiring Cardinal Edward Cassidy. As president of the council, Kasper is also the president for the Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews. Under the leadership of Cardinal Kasper the Council for Promoting Christian Unity has as its primary function guiding and serving the ecumenical activities of the Catholic Church and is also responsible for Catholic – Jewish relations. Among its numerous activities have been international theological dialogues with the Lutheran World Federation, the Anglican Communion, the World Methodist Council, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, the Pentecostals, the Disciples of Christ, evangelicals, the Orthodox churches, the Baptist World Alliance, and various Jewish organizations, including the International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Consultation.

FINALLY: The Pentagon ?investigates” the recent inflammatory religious rhetoric of General William Boykin, America?s Deputy Under Secretary of Defence for Intelligence…

The International Counil of
Christians and Jews (ICCJ)

After weeks of outrage expressed by The Interfaith Alliance, other religious organizations and now two Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee over the new Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence General Boykin?s inflammatory religious rhetoric, the Associated Press reports, ?The Pentagon will investigate a general's church speeches casting the war on terrorism in religious terms, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said recently.” ?The Pentagon has a responsibility to investigate the history of the outrageous statements made by General Boykin,” said Rev. Welton Gaddy, president of The Interfaith Alliance.   ?We do not question the General?s experience that led him to his new position within the US government.  What we do question is the General?s cultural and religious sensitivity in order to represent the United States with dignity and international respect. Our concerns are that he will not be able to extend that respect to those under his command as well as those in the international community.   These remarks have already been quoted in the international press and affirmed the mistaken perception that America is participating in a holy war.” Gaddy continued, ?The Pentagon?s involvement is a good first step.  I just wish the General?s lack of respect for religious diversity had been exposed before the US Senate confirmed General Boykin this June.”

The ICCJ member organisations world-wide over the past five decades have been successfully engaged in the historic renewal of Jewish-Christian relations. Founded as a reaction to the Holocaust, the Shoah, in the awareness that ways must be found to examine the deeply engrained roots of mistrust, hatred and fear that culminated in one of the worst evils in human history, theologians, historians and educators included the still fragile structure of enlightenment and the human rights movements of the inter-war period. In more recent years the ICCJ and its members increasingly engaged in the Abrahamic dialogue: the encounter between Jews, Christians and Muslims. The ICCJ's efforts to promote Jewish-Christian dialogue provide models for wider interfaith relations, particularly dialogue among Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Through its conferences and other consultations the ICCJ offers a platform where people of different religious backgrounds examine current issues across national and religious boundaries, enabling face-to-face exchanges of experience and expertise.