wfn.org | ELCA, Reform Judaism Leaders Meet in Dialogue

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

May 20, 2003

ELCA, REFORM JUDAISM LEADERS MEET IN DIALOGUE
03-101-JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), joined with other ELCA
leaders here May 12 for an informal dialogue with leaders representing
the Commission on Interreligious Affairs of Reform Judaism.
     After the day-long dialogue at the ELCA churchwide office, the
leaders agreed to meet for more discussions over a two-year period, said
the Rev. Franklin Sherman, associate for interfaith relations, ELCA
Department for Ecumenical Affairs, Allentown, Pa.  A committee to
followup on the dialogue was named, Sherman said.
     The May 12 dialogue grew out of a meeting Hanson had in August
2002 with several Jewish leaders in New York, a follow-up to Hanson's
statements on violence in Israel and the West Bank.
     The May 12 dialogue included presentations on the ELCA and Reform
Judaism, text studies and an overview of developments in Christian-
Jewish relations.  The participants also discussed the need for
"accountability" with each other, and the Reform Judaism representatives
asked if they could be "consulted" before the ELCA issues any public
statements that may be of interest to their community, such as
statements regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Middle
East.
     News reporters were excluded from the meeting until the final
"wrap-up" hour.  Representatives from the ELCA and Reform Judaism groups
were made available for questions after the meeting concluded.
     "In the ELCA, engagement with Judaism and the Jewish community has
taken place sporadically.  This the first such engagement on the
churchwide level," said the Rev. John K. Stendahl, Lutheran Church of
the Newtons, Newton Center, Mass., and chair of the Department for
Ecumenical Affairs advisory committee.
     Rabbi Michael Signer, Department of Theology, University of Notre
Dame, South Bend, Ind., said he felt a great sense of hospitality while
meeting with the ELCA representatives.	Signer, who co-chairs the Reform
Judaism commission, expressed appreciation to the ELCA for its April
1994 declaration to the Jewish community.
     In the declaration, adopted by the ELCA Church Council, the ELCA
acknowledged and rejected the anti-Jewish writings of church reformer
and teacher, Martin Luther, a German monk for whom Lutheran churches are
named.	It also expressed the ELCA's desire "to live out our faith in
Jesus Christ with love and respect for the Jewish people."
     In 1998, the council adopted a series of guidelines to foster
Lutheran-Jewish relations.  They were drafted by the Consultative Panel
on Lutheran-Jewish Relations of the ELCA Department for Ecumenical
Affairs.  A new resource, "Talking Points: Topics in Christian-Jewish
Relations," was introduced to the dialogue participants.
     Judith Hertz, Reform Judaism commission co-chair, New York, said
she feels a personal responsibility to make known the ELCA's
declaration, guidelines and talking points to people in her community.
"This needs to engage people where they need to be engaged," she said.
"There are lots of places where I'm willing to get that done."
     There should be a "next step" that follows from the May 12
dialogue, Sherman said.  "I heard people say this was a good idea," he
said.  "The fact that we seem to be committed to a  next step is an
important thing."
     Conversation to build Lutheran-Jewish relations can happen at the
local and synodical levels, Signer suggested.  Already, some rabbis have
"long-term" professional relationships with Lutheran pastors, he noted.
Seminary students from both traditions could also meet, Hertz suggested.
     "Things can be learned in an interfaith setting that cannot be
learned within your own walls," said Rabbi David Sandmel, K.A.M. Isaiah
Israel, Chicago.
     Representatives from both groups expressed appreciation for the
presiding bishop's involvement through the day-long dialogue.  The
significance of Hanson's presence will help the Jewish representatives
underscore the ELCA's commitment to dialogue with the Jewish community,
Sandmel said.
     "This gives us leverage with our people," Signer said.  "This all
began in an exchange of conversation over some statements from the
presiding bishop.  Bishop Hanson faced up to this not only with courage
but with action."
     It is important to note that Hanson "understands the importance of
face-to face conversation," Stendahl said.
     Sherman added that he was "immensely grateful" for Hanson's
involvement in the dialogue.
     Others representing the Commission on Interreligious Affairs of
Reform Judaism at the meeting were Mark Pelavin, Religious Action Center
and commission director, Washington, D.C.; Rabbi Karyn Kader, Union of
American Hebrew Congregations, Great Lakes Council, Northbrook, Ill.;
Aaron Bloom, chancellor-elect, Jewish Chautauqua Society, and Baltimore
Hebrew Congregation, Baltimore; Matthew Soffer, Religious Action Center,
Washington, D.C.; Rabbi Steven Denker, Congregation Kol Ami, Chicago;
and Dr. Victor Goldbloom, Canadian Jewish Congress, Quebec Region,
Montreal.
     Others representing the ELCA were the Rev. Barbara S. Gazzolo, St.
James Lutheran Church, Lake Forest, Ill.; the Rev. Darrell H. Jodock,
distinguished professor of religion, Gustavus Adolphus College, St.
Peter, Minn.; Dr. Esther M. Menn, associate professor of Old Testament,
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago; and Dr. Karla R. Suomala,
assistant professor of religion, Luther College, Decorah, Iowa.
-- -- --
     Information on the ELCA Declaration to the Jewish Community and
the Lutheran-Jewish talking points can be found at
http://www.elca.org/ea/interfaith/index.html on the ELCA Web site.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html