EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK
Know Thy Neighbor
ously — greet the 21st century in
he emotional and complex
the name of Jesus, such words set an
arena of Catholic-Jewish
important tone of tolerance. As a
relations has been hitting
Jewish century of triumph and
new strides in recent
tragedy closes, Jews should welcome
months, with more expected, as the
a Catholic Church that seeks Jewish
groundwork is quietly laid for a criti-
perspective on such mat-
cal and controversial shift in
ters.
emphasis.
But in recent years,
While few rank-and-file
Catholic-Jewish
relations
Jews notice, and even fewer
have
bounced
from
such
are versed in the details, the
positive settings to crisis
effort's impact could last for
management. The headlines
centuries.
of religiously fundamental-
About a month ago, lead-
ist Catholics planting offen-
ing theologians and acade-
sive crosses next to
mics gathered in Baltimore
Auschwitz have been
to discuss interfaith
matched by politically fun-
NEIL
RUBIN
approaches on teaching the
damentalist Jews screaming
Senior
Editor
Shoah (Hebrew for Holo-
never enough!" as the Holy
caust). It's a subject laden
See struggles to understand
with penetrating overtones
never again!"
of how the Vatican did — or did not
Now, after 35 years of inter-
— respond during this century's
mittent "getting to know you" talks
darkest chapter. And last week,
in which these events have been
Catholic and Jewish theologians
explored, a fundamental shift is
arrived for a semi-annual "consulta-
coming. As Cardinal Edward Idris
tion" with the National Conference
Cassidy, head of the Vatican's talks
of Catholic Bishops. Sadly, Orthodox
with the Jews, said at the initial
Jewish groups stayed away.
gathering in Baltimore, "We are peo-
Attendees at last week's meeting
ple of religion'and we wish to dia-
delved into theological approaches to
logue with people of religion about
Israel, pre-marital counseling and cap-
religion."
ital punishment — each of which peo-
In response, Rabbi James Rudin,
ple of faith have something to say and
head
of inter-religious efforts for the
share.
American Jewish Committee, pushed
In the past year, this dialogue
the concept because "in a true dia-
brought about a joint statement on
logue, each person, each group, needs
the coming of the Christian millen-
to understand the faith communities
nium. As religious lunatics prepare
of the other."
to bizarrely — and perhaps danger-
T
((
"
to synagogues so that rabbis may
visit congregants. We also provide
kosher meals from an outside com-
pany and Passover meals and Shab-
bat candles are available upon
request. In addition, we are engaged
in ongoing dialogue with rabbis
regarding living wills and end-of-life
issues. Our chaplains in the emer-
gency department are very sensitive
to Jewish culture and customs.
While our health care facility is
sponsored by a Catholic order, our
commitment to respectfully provide
the highest quality medical care to
all those in need knows no barriers.
Brian Connolly
President and Chief Executive Officer
Providence Hospital
and Medical Centers
Southfield
In Pursuit
Of High Tech
The Jewish News deserves appreciation
for trying to clarify the obstacles to
achieving effective integration of com-
puter technology into Jewish education
("High Tech Jewish Education" March
19). The JN correctly noted the main
obstacle; "computer's don't create cur-
riculum, inspire dialogue or sense emo-
tions — teachers do."
With an almost 120-year history of
providing educational and vocational
training to Jewish communities
throughout the world, ORT has exper-
tise providing direction and support for
800 schools and programs worldwide.
Through ORT's Resource Centers here
in the U.S., Jewish day schools, congre-
gational schools and Jewish community
So delving into religion — how we
began, where we split and where we
are today — is on the horizon of
interfaith relations. And it will be
hotly contested and criticized.
Some, and not just in the Ortho-
dox world, argue:
•There are more than enough inter-
faith relationships and that's exactly
what we're trying to
stop;
•Let them do their
religious thing and
we'll do ours. If they
were better Chris-
tians and we were
better Jews, the
world would be a
better place.
I strongly agree
with the sentiments
of both concepts, yet
do not fear, as some
do, that dialogue will
lead to conversion or
a blurring of reli-
gious lines. Indeed,
dialogue will make
us stronger Jews as we struggle with
new perspectives as well as articulate
our beliefs. We are the "senior states-
men" of monotheism. We are relevant
and vibrant. Why would we be afraid
to meet and greet other religions in
the theater of ideas?
Mind you, without this direction
our talks will remain frozen. And
such lack of dynamics will bring
ossification and irrelevance. Our
effort needs to explore this central
centers are gaining access to the latest
computer technology software and train-
ing. Students and teachers in day
schools in North Miami and Atlanta
have been receiving computer training
through the help of ORT-sponsored
instructors for many years. Recently,
four day schools in Cleveland joined
their ranks. ORT Resource Centers have
a three-fold function: to support the
work of Jewish educators, motivate stu-
dents with access to engaging lessons
and creative, fun methods of learning
and stimulate parents to become more
involved in their children's Jewish studies
and renew their own interest in Judaism.
ORT Resource Center personnel pro-
vide skills training in one-day seminars
for Jewish educators throughout the
country. The teachers are learning to
find Jewish sites on the Internet expedi-
ently, use ORT-designed programs
question: How can people of reli-
gion loosely unite, without losing
their own faith, to bring God's light
to those in physical need?
Our spiritual needs will not be
addressed in these venues, but our
spiritual approaches will.
In this effort, pride not born of
arrogance must rule over defensive-
ness born of paranoia. Yes, centuries
of Catholic attempts at conversion,
and then expulsion and murder,
have forever painted the backdrop
on the canvas of our relationship.
But we recognize that and choose to
incorporate the past as we move for-
ward.
When it comes to meaningful
dialogue on religion, our Jewish
faith in God is vastly up to the chal-
lenge. ❑
"Navigating the Bible," "Navigating
Israel" and "Navigating the Haggadah"
for class work, teach their students to do
computer-based research, exchange cur-
ricula with schools in Israel, Europe and
elsewhere on the ORT map, and arrange
computer "pen pal" relationships in
Israel for students in the U.S.
Other innovative computer-based
resources and workshops developed by
ORT include The Jewish Web Browser,
List of Jewish and Educational Web
sites, Israel-Internet Project, Bar/Bat
Mitzvah Exposition, The Virtual Web
3D Holocaust Exhibition and My Israel
Drawing Competition (which received
1,500 entries).
In the context of funding for Jewish
education, it's important that the corn-
munity uses the resources available. As
an example, ORT recently teamed up
with the Jewish Educational Center of
4/2
1999
Detroit Jewish News
29