 After the successful efforts of ICJS to obtain funding from the
Lily and Revson Foundations, a unique group of scholars gathered
for its first two meetings. The Jewish Scholars Group (JSG) on
Christianity represents a significant step for the Jewish community
as it brings together professors who teach Judaism but whose research
focuses on the relationship between Jews and Christians throughout
the centuries. Members of the JSG hold appointments at major rabbinical
seminaries such as Hebrew Union College and the Jewish Theological
Seminary; at a number of leading secular universities; and at
Roman Catholic universities and Protestant Divinity Schools.They
are, therefore, in a unique position to in-fluence both lay and
professional leadership of tomorrow's churches and synagogues.
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The overarching theme of the meetings has been "Accommodation
and Resistance: Jewish Responses to Christian Culture."
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Our meetings have provided occasions for informal conversa tions
among those who study the origins of Christianity and Rabbinic
Judaism, historians of medieval Judaism, and scholars of modern
Jewish theology. Because these academics are often in different
university departments and therefore attend separate professional
meetings, the JSG provides a unique opportunity for the discovery
of common concerns and the development of collaborative explorations.
The overarching theme of our meetings has been "Accommodation
and Resistance: Jewish Responses to Christian Culture." Using
a variety of academic methods, the group frequently finds itself
in heated disagreements as likely to be grounded in our different
views of Jewish experience as they are in our divergent understandings
of Christianity.
Our meeting in October, 1995, opened with a discussion of Jon
Levenson's book, The Death and Resurrection of the Beloved Son:
The Transformation of Child Sacrifice in Judaism and Christianity,
a book which examines the meanings of the bind ing/ sacrifice
of Isaac in both Judaism and Christianity. After a delightful
dinner at the home of Lee Meyerhoff Hendler, Elliot Wolfson conducted
a study of Jewish texts which had parallels or analogues with
the Christian concept of incarnation. The following morning, Michael
Signer focused on themes from the medieval period which have resurfaced
in contemporary Catholic statements about Jews and Judaism.
At the May, 1996, meeting, David Novak and Michael Wyschogrod
discussed their perspectives on the theme of biblical election
and its implications for Judaism and the Jewish-Christian dialogue.
Wyschogrod's book, The Body of Faith: Judaism as Corporeal Election
(1983), provided a significant stimulus for Novak's new book,
The Election of Israel: The Idea of the Chosen People. The discussion
afforded the group an opportunity to review many of the themes
raised at our first meeting in the discussion of Levenson's book.
At our second session, Peter Ochs and Susan Handelman led a text
study which focused on Jewish philosopher Emmanuel Levinas whose
writings signal a creative response to the tensions of resis tance
and accommodation. At our closing session, Paula Fredriksen and
Daniel Boyarin offered contrasting views of Paul's theology of
Judaism. The animated debate in their presentations and by members
of the group indicated that divergent interpretations of this
most important early Christian author will remain a touchstone
of Jewish-Christian discussion.
As part of both meetings the Group discussed the purpose and future
of the JSG. There is a growing consensus among us that we need
to review and reassess what the Jewish tradition has taught in
response to Christianity. Some members are eager to develop a
foundational statement of Jewish attitudes toward Christianity
that will address both the richness and variety of Jewish experiences
with Christians, delineating the creative as well as debilitating
consequences of this relationship.
Our second year of meetings will probe new themes and texts that
promise to influence the direction of our scholarship. The JSG
joins me in expressing our gratitude to the staff of the ICJS
for its many contributions to this innovative venture. |