Bridges and Walls: The Australian Council of Christians and Jews

The Australian Council of Christians and Jews invites members and friends to:

Bridges and Walls | Annual Conference 2015

Date: Sunday to Tuesday October 25 to October 27 2015
Location: Temple Beth Israel, 76-82 Alma Road, St Kilda VIC 3182

‘Bridges’ seek to create dialogue between religions and cultural groups. ‘Walls’ are those perspectives seek to delimit the boundaries of self. Both are necessary.

What are the ‘Walls’ and ‘Bridges’ for interfaith dialogue in Australia in 2015?

Program:

Sunday 25 October, 7.00-9.00pm

 7:00     Welcome: Mr William Szekely , Chair, Australian Council of Christians and Jews.
7: 10    Why bridges and walls?:  Dr Ron Hoenig, Deputy Chair, Australian Council of Christians and Jews.  
            Video message from Dr Philip Cunningham, President, International Council of Christians and Jews; Bridges and walls in the jubilee of Nostra Aetate 
            Bridges and Walls: an exercise 
            Meditation/Music

Monday 26 October Morning Session
International Perspectives:
9.00     Reflection
9.15     Welcome: Mr William Szekely, Chair, Australian Council of Christians and Jews.
9.20     Keynote: Rabbi Shmuel Szteinhendler – A Latin American Perspective on Bridges and Walls  Facilitated discussion
10.30   Break 11.00 Rev Jenny Chalmers – New Zealand Perspectives and the Abrahamic Council Facilitated discussion
12.20   Summing up
12.30   Lunch

Monday 26 October, Afternoon Session
The Victorian Experience
1.45     Chair: Mr Thilo Trotschke (or Ms Tzipi Baroda) MC  [CCJ(Vic) Exec members on the Dialogue project Advisory Board]. 
1.50     Rabbi Emeritus Fred Morgan: The Grass Roots Dialogue Project: Moving from the Global to the Local (Victoria)
            Introduction of guests;
2.30     Facilitated Conversation
3.30    Tea Break
4.00    Nostra Aetate 50 years on; a report on the Rome conference Rev Dr Michael Trainor; Vice President, International Council of Christians and Jews
4.45    ACCJ Annual General Meeting

Monday Evening free – dinner not provided

Tuesday 27 October Morning Session
The issue of Trialogue: When the bridges go many ways
9.00   Reflection: Cantor Michel Laloum
9.15   Chair: Rev Jenny Chalmers Exploring the relationship between Jewish-Christian dialogue and dialogue with/among other religious traditions. 
9.30   Local Expressions:
          Interfaith Literacy Ms Jenny van Proctor, Chair, NSW Council of Christians and Jews  
          Interfaith relations: is there a university gap? Ms Lynda Ben Menashe, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies  
          Interfaith dialogue building peace: the SA experience: Ms Katherine Goode, Director, The Abraham Institute  
          The Abraham Forum
10.30  Break
11.00  Chair: Jenny van Proctor, Chair, NSW Council of Christians and Jews 
           Discussion: What can Jewish-Christian dialogue offer other dialogues? Are there commonalities in dialogues between different religious traditions,? How much do religious and cultural specifics impact on dialogue,? How can our dialogues contribute to broader cultural and social issues, etc.
12.15  Break up
12.30  Lunch at TBI

Tuesday 27 October Afternoon 
Session Settler societies and dialogue with first peoples
1.35     Reflection:
1.45     Chair: Rabbi Shmuel Szteinhendler
            Re-introduce theme walls and bridges, and how seen to function with Indigenous communities
2.00     Facilitated local groups: What will you take back from this conference?
3.30     Break
4.00     Rev Dr Michael Trainor Overview of conference theme, Major ideas or insights that have been emerging. How can we apply locally? What can ACCJ and ICCJ do to facilitate this? Responses from Rabbi Shmuel Szteinhendler and Rev Jenny Chalmers Evaluation sheets
4.45     Wrap-up by ACCJ Chair Mr William         
            Szekeley Closing music/blessing
5.00     Conference ends

Tuesday Evening 27 October
7.00 Closing Celebratory Dinner

Registration Fee          Concession: $190         F/T Student: $100

Registration:    Liz Parker, CCJ Victoria           ccjvic@bigpond.net.au     326 Church St Richmond 3121     03 9429 5212

Accommodation:  CCJ Victoria can advise on accommodation

The Australian Council of Christians and Jews is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission ABN 43 144 362 171