Commission for relations with Jews meets in Bethlehem

The eight members of the Commission, representing the different Catholic Churches and institutions are:

Father David Neuhaus (head of the Commission and representative of the Assembly)

Father Yuhanna Bshouti (Greek Catholic parish priest in Jdeideh)

Father Rafiq Nahra (Hebrew Speaking Vicariate and Maronite Church)

Father Badie Elias (Franciscan)

Deacon Sobhi Makhoul (Administrator of Maronite Patriarchate in Jerusalem)

Sister Reem Obeid SJA (representative of the Women Religious)

Ms. Margaret Karam (Focalari)

Mr. Wadie Abu Nassar (Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem)

The meeting was held at the guest house of the Betharam Fathers in Bethlehem, thanks to the generous invitation of Father Pietro Felet, Secretary of the Assembly.

The meeting began on Friday morning with a talk given by H.B. Emeritus Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Michel Sabbah. H.B. laid out the local context for the dialogue with the Jewish people and the complex issues that are to be dealt with in this dialogue. He proposed a practical program for dialogue on three levels: dialogue with local Jews in Israel, theological reflection within the Universal Catholic Church and education of local Christians about Jews and Judaism.

Friday afternoon and evening was consecrated to an experience of Jewish liturgy. Father Rafic Nahra gave an introduction to Jewish liturgy, focused on the Friday evening prayers in the synagogue. Following the introduction, the commission members made their way to the Kol HaNeshama Synagogue in West Jerusalem to attend the Friday night service. They were warmly welcomed by Rabbi Levi Weiman-Kelman, a well known and active participant in the dialogue with the Church and a committed peace activist.

Saturday morning was devoted to a long discussion of what constitutes Jewish identity. The discussion focused on the intricate and complex relations among the different elements that make up modern Jewish identity: religion, historical experience, ethnicity and modern nationalism.

At the end of the week end session, the members of the commission confirmed their commitment to continue their work: studying themselves, introducing an awareness of the importance of this theme among local Christians and advising the Catholic Ordinaries on relations between Jews and Christians within the particular context of the Holy Land.