13th Annual Dialogue & Dinner

Our keynote speakers were Dr. Richard Mouw, president of Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, and Rabbi Elliott Dorff, rector at the American Jewish University in Los Angeles.While here, Dr. Mouw also spoke at Holy Apostles Church, and Rabbi Dorff spoke at Temple Shalom, both in Colorado Springs.
Dr. Mouw was recently featured on Krista Tippett’s NPR show “Being.” To hear this superb interview that touches on many themes that relate to the mission of the CCJD, go to http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2010/restoring-civility/
During our dialogue dinner, we celebrated fifteen years since our inception in 1995. We look to a bright future of continued ministry and ever-expanding opportunities.

Breakfast Dialogue

CCJD sponsored a breakfast dialogue meeting with Imam Muhammad Al-Hussaini of London.
Imam Al-Hussaini’s bio: I am Fellow in Islamic Studies at Leo Baeck Rabbinical College, Lecturer in Abrahamic Religions at the Al-Azhar Institute (Al-Azhar University) and Visiting Lecturer at the University of Oxford. My primary area of research is on medieval Islamic, Karaite and Rabbinic approaches to rationalism in the interpretation of sacred texts. I have a broader interest in developing Jewish-Muslim and Christian-Muslim engagement, and the latter has particular importance with my recent appointment to lead the Permanent Mission for Dialogue with the Monotheistic Religions of Al-Azhar University.

Conference of Jesuits and Jews

After speaking at the Fourth Biennial Conference of Jesuits and Jews in July, 2007, Dr. Hirsch has been invited to join the group whose next meeting will be in 2009 in Rome. This significant invitation reflects recognition and awareness on a national level of our work here at CCJD, and we are proud to have Dr. Hirsch represent us and our work in this way.

Fall Board Meeting

CCJD boards gathered for our Fall Board Meeting. We affirmed Rev. Brady Boyd, Senior Minister of New Life Church, as a new member of our Board of Directors. New Life was one of the original founders of CCJD, and it is good to once again have representation from that church on our board. We also created in our organizational structure a category of Young Leadership Associates who are being trained to join the Senior Board of Directors/Advisors. Some young people already played important roles in the planning our annual dinner, and we acknowledge that this step is vital to our continued growth as an organization.

Visting Scholar Dialogue

On Wednesday, October 14, the CCJD hosted our Annual Fall Visiting Scholar Dialogue at Temple Shalom in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The distinguished Father John Pawlikowski, Professor of Ethics and Director of the Catholic-Jewish Studies Program at the University of Chicago, led the dialogue. (See his biographical information below, in the 2008 section.)  Temple Shalom is located at 1523 E. Monument Street in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Visit their web site, www.templeshalom.com.

Annual Fall Visiting Scholar Dialogue

Annual Fall Visiting Scholar Dialogue at Temple Shalom in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The distinguished Father John Pawlikowski, Professor of Ethics and Director of the Catholic-Jewish Studies Program at the University of Chicago, led the dialogue. (See his biographical information below, in the 2008 section.)  Temple Shalom is located at 1523 E. Monument Street in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Visit their web site, www.templeshalom.com.

12th Annual Dialogue Dinner

Father John Pawlikowski, Professor of Ethics and Director of the Catholic-Jewish Studies Program at the University of Chicago, once again served as our keynote speaker on a panel with Will Stoller-Lee, director of Fuller Seminary in Colorado Springs, and Rabbi Bruce Dollin of Denver.

Dr. Hirsch writes about the Dinner and the Visiting Scholar Dialogue the following evening, “I have heard nothing but compliments about the dinner. Fr. Pawlikowski, back for the second year in a row, was outstanding and delivered a brilliant and moving address at Temple Shalom on the Wednesday evening following the dinner. The evening was co-sponsored by our friends at The Greenberg Center for Learning and Tolerance and Temple Shalom. Mel Glazer graciously chaired the meeting which was very well attended. Fr. Pawlikowski, normally the essence of calm and composure, was really surprised and grateful to receive the Dove of Peace Award. Rabbi Dollin, also back for a second year as a panelist, was knowledgeable and witty and elicited many warm chuckles from the audience. Will Stoller-Lee finally addressed the ‘elephant in the living room’ by whipping out his bible and quoting the difficult verse from Thessalonians.”

Christian-Jewish Dialogue

Dr. Howard A. Hirsch and Bishop Richard C. Hanifen participated in Christian-Jewish Dialogue at Alvernia University in Reading, Pennsylvania. Organizer Ginny Hand wrote, “You both were so wonderful; there is still a buzz!”

Their appearance coincided with the ‘Pope John Paul II’ traveling exhibit.  An interfaith proper service was held.