How to Establish Productive Jewish and Christian Dialogue

Judaism and Christianity both value the Hebrew Bible, worship the God of Abraham and place faith in God as a covenanted people. Whether discussing religion with an individual or group, establishing a productive Jewish and Christian dialogue creates mutual bonds of understanding and a joint force for community action.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Start with a dialogue of mutual respect. A Jewish-Christian dialogue gives opportunity to build bridges for understanding and respect.

2. Seek shared values and issues. Establish points of agreement in view of each other's faith, like the use of the Hebrew Bible in Jewish faith and the New Testament for Christians. Historical Christianity emerged from Judaism. The understanding of the Hebrew Bible for a Christian differs from Jewish understanding. Each must listen and study one another's unique history for added depth through dialogue of the issues.

3. Address anti-Semitism. Talk and acknowledge openly the hatred towards Jews in history from both religious and secular bigotry.

4. Discuss anti-Christian views. Explore and understand deep feelings or resentment towards Christians.

5. Confront the Holocaust. This defining event remains a high point for a Jewish and Christian dialogue. Discuss its impact, the world's tardy response to the issue and the revisionists who try to deny it happened.

6. Remain positive during discussions. A productive Jewish and Christian dialogue must take the high road to produce reconciliation and respect.

7. Plan for how to work together on community and social issues. Find the issues of agreement then decide an action plan. Poverty, social injustice and religious tolerance offer areas of working together to solve human problems.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult "Christian-Jewish Dialogue Beyond Canberra '91" for information on establishing a dialogue from a Jewish-Christian relations website.
• Never attempt to use a Jewish Christian dialogue as a front for conversion. Instead, promote understanding and friendship.

Resources

• Engaging America
• A paper for ongoing dialogue at the Jewish-Christian Relations website.