NZ Council of Christians and Jews

The Wellington Council of Christians and Jews Presents:

A Public Sacred Text Stud – Our Core Beliefs
Jewish, Christian and Muslim perspectives

Wednesday 5 December 2012 at 7.30pm
Temple Sinai, 147 Ghuznee St, Wellington
Entry by koha, all are welcome

Speakers

• Rabbi Adi Cohen – Jewish – Wellington Progressive Jewish Congregation
• Vanessa Borg – Christian – Catholic lay person, Wellington Focolare movement
• Rehanna Ali – Muslim – Wellington Masjid

Come along and hear perspectives on the core beliefs of the three Abrahamic religions, using original texts from the Torah, the New Testament, and the Koran.

The three talks will be followed by a panel discussion and light refreshments.

For more information, contact Dave Moskovitz, dave@ccj.org.nz, 027 220 2202

The Wellington Council of Christians and Jews is pleased to be hosting the NZCCJ 2012 conference, which aims to develop a regional (New Zealand and Australia) approach to the Twelve Points of Berlin. The conference will be held 12-15 May 2012 in Wellington.

Full details of the conference are available on the conference web page. Tickets can be purchased on line at our ticketing site.

The Wellington Council of Christians and Jews held its public symposium on “Activating the Charter for Compassion in our Religions and Wider Society” on Wednesday 13 July 2011 at the Kilbirnie Mosque.

Rabbi Adi Cohen (Jewish), Nick Borthwick and Daniel Eyre (Christian), and Aarif Rasheed (Muslim) all gave their perspectives on the subject. Read on for audio recordings of their addresses, and summaries of their key points.

The Wellington Council of Christians and Jews Presents a Public Symposium on

Activating the Charter for Compassion in our religions and wider society

Wednesday 13 July 2011 at 7.30pm

Wellington Islamic Centre / Masjid

7-11 Queens Drive, Kilbirine

Karen Armstrong’s Charter for Compassion launched just over a year ago, and has received tremendous support globally. A simple document of 300 words, it reaffirms the “golden rule” – that we should treat other people as we would like to be treated – and expands this into the basis for building a compassionate world based on justice, equity, respect, nonviolence, diversity, and ultimately to enlightenment, a just economy, and a peaceful global community. This symposium will examine how we can translate these thoughts into action.

Speakers:

Aarif Rasheed – CIDE – The Centre for Interfaith Dialogue and Education (Auckland)

CIDE’s vision is to encourage “all community groups and individuals to participate in sincere and respectful discourse and dialogue and the inculcation in them of mutual respect and love towards other people.” In addition to his work at CIDE, Aarif is a Referee at the Disputes Tribunal, a Trustee at the Rasheed Memorial Trust, and an active member of Auckland’s Muslim community.

Rabbi Adi Cohen – Wellington Progressive Jewish Congregation

Recently arrived from Congregation Brit Olam in Israel where he was the congregational rabbi, Adi has taught courses in Jewish Law and Ethics, special education, and worked as a storyteller.

Nick Borthwick and Daniel Eyre – NZ Catholic Bishops committee for Interfaith Relations

Daniel has a double degree in law and theology, and Nick works for Caritas, the Catholic agency for justice, peace and development.

For more information, contact Dave Moskovitz – dave@ccj.org.nz – Tel 027 220 2202

Download the flyer

The Summer 2011 issue of Massah, the journal of the New Zealand Council of Christians and Jews, is now online and available for download.

The Wellington Council of Christians and Jews held a public meeting on Wednesday 20 October 2010 on Abraham’s challenge from God to sacrifice his son from Jewish, Christian and Muslim perspectives. The event was very well attended with over 120 people from all backgrounds in the audience.

Read on to see summaries of the talks, and listen to the recorded audio of the evening.

The Wellington Council of Christians and Jews Presents
A Public Sacred Text Study

The Binding of Isaac / Ishmael: Jewish, Christian and Muslim Perspectives

Wednesday 20 October 2010 at 7.30pm
Myers Hall, Wellington Jewish Community Centre
80 Webb St, Wellington
Entry by koha, all are welcome

Speakers:

• Rabbi David Alima – Orthodox Rabbi, Wellington Hebrew Congregation
• Rev Jenny Chalmers – Anglican Priest, St Marks Carterton; WCCJ Co-Chair
• Sheikh Mohammed Amir – Imam, Wellington Islamic Centre

The binding of Isaac (in the Jewish and Christian traditions) or Ishmael (in the Islamic tradition) is a turning point in each of our religions, with fascinating similarities and differences in interpretation between the three Abrahamic faiths. Come find out more about the ongoing impact of this pivotal event over 3,000 years ago.

The three talks will be followed by an panel discussion.

For more information, contact Dave Moskovitz, 027 220 2202

Download the flyer

The Executive Board of the International Council of Christians and Jews issued a statement today expressing alarm over an “increasing polarization in the discourse between Jews and Christians and also within each community,” when it comes to the Israeli‐Palestinian conflict. Based on reports from ICCJ members around the world, “extreme viewpoints seem to be increasing in popularity, while efforts toward moderation or compromise are rejected as disloyal or naive.”

The Winter 2010 issue of Massah is now online and available for download

National Council of Christians and Jews Conference
Saturday July 3 and Sunday July 4, 2010
Wesley Hall, St Johns College, 202 St Johns Road, Meadowbank, Auckland

Theme: Christian-Jewish Dialogue: Encouraging Development, Emerging Challenges

Keynote speaker: Rev Dr John Pawlikowski OSM, Professor of Ethics and Director of the Catholic-Jewish Studies Programme at the University of Chicago, Past President of the ICCJ and for over forty years a leading figure in Jewish-Christian relations worldwide. With Dr Paul Morris, Professor of Religious Studies, Victoria University of Wellington.

Featuring also Mona Williams, New Zealand’s foremost professional story-teller, speaking after dinner on Saturday and after lunch on Sunday.