Academic Life ~ Center for Jewish Christian Studies and Relations ~ Programs

Programs

of the Center for Jewish-Christian Studies and Relations

In order to further its mission and purposes, the Center offers a range of activities, some oriented primarily toward seminary students and others to the general public. The Center sponsors participation in two Jewish-Christian dialogues: the Inter-Seminary Dialogue series initiated by the Jewish Theological Seminary and the continuing dinner/dialogue series with Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. 

In the Inter-Seminary Dialogue series, sponsored and organized by The Jewish Theological Seminary, students and faculty advisors meet several times during the year to discuss a specific topic of interest to both the Christian and Jewish faith traditions. The diverse group explores the many different aspects and perspectives on the selected topic within the context of a lively and interesting interfaith dialogue session. Previous topics were: “Questions of Marriage” and “Religion and the Public Square.” Seminaries participating in the dialogue series currently include: Jewish Theological Seminary, St. Vladimir’s Seminary, Union Theological Seminary, General Theological Seminary, Hebrew Union College, St. Joseph’s Seminary and Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School.

A series of shared dinners followed by dialogue between students of GTS and Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion offers a setting for a more intimate discussion of issues of specific interest to these two groups. In one past year the group explored issues of social justice, specifically how the two seminaries address these issues through community service and outreach activities.

In addition to these programs, the Center for Jewish-Christian Studies and Relations offers an Annual Lecture by a noted academic or professional in the area of Jewish-Christian relations and the annual observance of Yom Hashoah, the Day of Remembrance for Holocaust victims. Both of these events are open to the public. Specifically for members of the GTS student body and community, the Center sponsors the screening of films about Jewish life and culture and trips to Jewish museums, synagogues and other local sites of interest.