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.

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

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

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

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.

How Our Religious Traditions Inform Economic Policy

Wednesday 9 June 2010 at 7.30pm
Myers Hall, Wellington Jewish Community Centre
80 Webb St, Wellington

Speakers:

• Hon Chris Finlayson, Attorney General
• Dr Prue Hyman, Adjunct Professor, Victoria University of Wellington
• Imam Afroz Ali, President, Al-Ghazzali Centre for Islamic Sciences and Human Development (Sydney)

The three talks will be followed by an panel discussion, and a farewell to founding member Rabbi Chaim Dovrat

Download the flyer.