(FMC) In Jerusalem, an evening of reflection on Wednesday, March 5. The topic: “Peace in the Jewish tradition.” A meeting organized by the Office of Public Affairs of the American Embassy and the Council for Interreligious Dialogue in Israel.
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RABBI RONALD KRONISH
Director Interreligious coordinating council in Israel (ICCS)
“Our organization fosters interfaith and intercultural dialogue with Jews, Christians and Muslims in the land. Two peoples and three religions need to learn to live together. Peaceful coexistence is our goal. Dialogue and education and action are our methods.”
Rabbi Sheldon Lewis was invited as a moderator, and after years of research, he said he is convinced that “The demand for peace, ideas and ways to achieve it are central to the Jewish tradition.”
RABBI RONALD KRONISH
Director Interreligious coordinating council in Israel (ICCS)
“So, we’ve invited Rabbi Lewis to talk about his book The Torah of Reconciliation to share with people in Israel the idea that Judaism has a long tradition of peacemaking, and that’s something that people don’t always know. From the news here, they might think that Judaism is only about war and settlement and occupation, and things like that, and we want them to know that Judaism is also about love and compassion and peacemaking.”
RABBI SHELDON LEWIS
Author of the book Torah of Reconciliation
“Even though there are, as in every religious tradition, opposite messages, I am absolutely convinced that the dominant message is toward peacemaking and reconciliation, overcoming conflict in ways that are not violent and that lead to enduring positive relationships. These teachings on all levels apply to interpersonal relationships, within families and homes, all the way to international relations.
We asked the rabbi what his definition of “peacemaking” was and what the right way to go about religious reconciliation in the Holy Land is.
“My book is not a political book,” he replied. “And of course thinking that peace on all levels is complicated,” but there is a concrete meaning that can inspire us.
RABBI SHELDON LEWIS
Author of the book Torah of Reconciliation
“Peacemaking ultimately means overcoming all conflicts and also managing conflicts. Knowing the other person, or the other group, or the other nation or faith, and while there may be differences, we can live together. We can respect one another; we can learn from one another.”