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As the final event in it's year long celebration of Nostra Aetate, the Catholic-Jewish Conference presents On Turning Forty: Visions for a New Generation. The dinner event, which will take place at the Pfister Hotel on November 6, features Rabbi David Sandmel and Dr. Mary Boys, two of the nation's leading interfaith scholars. They will share their individual perspectives on the future of Christian-Jewish relations. These renowned theologians have devoted an enormous amount of effort to the cause of interfaith relations; their rich contributions, both past and present, continue to provide the framework for further Christian-Jewish dialogue and to ensure a strong and vital relationship between Christians and Jews in the future. Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan will offer opening remarks. For more information on the dinner, please contact the Milwaukee Jewish Council for Community Relations at 414-390-5781. Registration is required no later than November 1. This ambitious anniversary celebration was successfully launched on January 30th at Congregation Beth El Ner Tamid where over 300 Catholics and Jews joined together to hear Bishop Richard Sklba and Dr. Amy-Jill Levine address the topic, Reflections on Nostra Aetate: Catalyst for Conversation. The opening event was aired in its entirety on public access TV in March.
The opening event was followed by a Seder service at Congregation Sinai in March where Christians in partnership with Jews were able to learn more about Seder practices. In addition, a monthly study/film series was held from February through May. Participants viewed films focused on four eras: pre-Vatican II, the Vatican II years, post-Vatican II and contemporary times. The sessions, featuring films such as Gentleman's Agreement and Stolen Summer, provided opportunities for participants to use film as a way to gain insight and understanding into specific events in history that have had lasting impact on Catholics and Jews in America. The planning committee hopes to create a packet of resources that will allow congregations to replicate these study sessions.
The summer saw architectural tours to churches and synagogues followed by two major events in the fall. In mid-September the Milwaukee Jewish Chorale and the Archdiocesan choir along with Jewish and Catholic cantors, who offered solo performances, presented a Sacred Concert featuring Psalm settings. This moving performance was followed one week later by a lecture given by Dr. Eva Fleischner on Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and his role in Christian-Jewish Relations. In addition to the 2005 anniversary events, the Conference is planning a retreat for Catholic and Jewish educators which will take place in 2006.
Nostra Aetate, the landmark document released during the Second Vatican Council, undertook a rethinking of Judaism and the Jewish people in Catholic theology, repudiating historic Christian teachings of contempt towards Jews and positively asserting the common spiritual heritage that Christians and Jews share. In the 40 years since its release, Nostra Aetate has been responsible for stimulating interfaith dialogue, and education and understanding among members of both faith traditions.
The 40th anniversary celebration of Nostra Aetate is a program of the Catholic-Jewish Conference of Milwaukee. Funding is made possible through generous grants from the Helen Bader Foundation of Milwaukee, Inc. and the Jewish Community Foundation of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation.
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