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Memorandum Regarding the Organization of Studies and the Preparations for the Next Jewish-Christian Consultation

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Assorted

Report About the Conclusions of the Christian Study Group (1972)

At the Jewish-Christian consultation at Lugano, two main themes were recommended for further study: (1) The Quest for World Community: Jewish and Christian Perspectives (2) Jewish and Christian Perspectives on the Relationship to each other and the Relation with Men of Other Faiths. Obviously, this programme was too ambitious. It will not be possible to deal with both themes. Priority needs to be given to the first. It has a great advantage in that it directs our attention to the present situation of the world. It does not start from an analysis of our traditions, but rather looks at a problem mankind is facing today. This theme may provide the possibility and opportunity for cooperation.The following six points will need to be developed in the paper we plan to work out together:World CommunityWhat do we understand by this term? We are faced with the phenomenon! of an increasing inter-dependence. This constitutes a challenge to Jews and Christians alike. We need to remember that this growing inter-dependence is ambivalent. It presents us with new possibilities of relationships but also with new conflicts and threats; there is the danger of selfdestruction of humanity. Therefore, this ambivalence of the growing inter-depen- donco should be stated.The meaning of the different terms should be made clear. Should we distinguish between "world order" or "-society" as a maximum to be hoped for in this world and thus reserve the word ’community’ for the eschatological fulfilment? Discussion of the terms would be required.2. The Common Specificity of the Jewish-Christian TraditionJews and Christians share a common tradition. Is it correct to say that we share an understanding of man and his role in history - of man created in the image of God? Freedom and dignity, justice, etc. are important factors for a world community. These concepts must be spelled out. On the one hand our situation is the result of human activity; on the other hand we experience today all the limitatio…
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Correspondence

Letter to Marc Tanenbaum about the Third Ecumenical Council and Jewish-Christian Relations (1964)

Dear Marc: I received this morning the release from the Religious News Service of May 29th concerning your talk in Pittsburgh. While I find that I can, by and large, agree with what you say, I must take exception to some individual features. First, your comment about the Church and Christians needing the decree "in order to restore unambiguously the Biblical and prophetic mode of Christian life and thought." I think it may be gratuitous for us to advise Christians how to restore the pristine purity of their faith. Inevitably, it leads us into complications which are not always foreseen. In this case, it would imply that if the decree is accepted, then we will acknowledge the “Biblical and prophetic” nature of Christian life. Of course, I deny it, decree or no decree. Even without anti-Semitism, Christianity, in the traditional Jewish view, does not partake of the nature of Biblical and prophetic modes.Secondly, I do not share your sentiment that placing the decree within the secretariat for \[relations with non-Christians] will lead to "such great misgivings among many thoughtful Catholics as among Jews." I already expressed to you orally, when we met earlier this week, my feeling that this indeed is the secretariat which should handle the decree, and that, on the contrary, I am keenly suspicious of this decree being placed in the context or secretariat of "Christian unity."My best wishes for a pleasant and healthful summer.Cordially yours,RABBI NORMAN LAMMNL\:ffCC: M. Feuerstein
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Correspondence

Letter to R. Fabian Schonfeld about Jewish-Christian Dialogue (1973)

Dear Fabian: As you had requested, I am returning to you the enclosed copy of Siegman’s report on the two consultations. I hope you do not mind that I made some penciled comments in the margins. With one or two exceptions they should prove legible and relevant. In short, while I had a number of criticisms on this report, and a number of inaccuracies, I do not find anything in it that would get me excited about violations of the standards we had set for such dialogues.All my best.Cordially,Norman.:cwEnc.
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