Despite the Religious Education Association (REA)'s founding vision as an interfaith association, for most of its first fifty years it remained a largely Protestant organization. Under Herman Wornom's leadership as general secretary from 1952 to 1970, the REA began more fully to fulfill its aims of becoming more broadly inclusive. Through Wornom's…

Examines how a Canon (body of ideas, doctrines, and practices) becomes embodied in religious communities, how that experience forms the faithful in the tradition, and how that experience modifies the Canon of that tradition. Explores this phenomenon within the Jewish, Catholic, and Lutheran communities. (MJP)

Considers some of the specific problems and possibilities inherent in the combination of adult education and religious education. Warns of the dangers of assuming a shared knowledge base among adults. Identifies three components of religious education as knowledge, authenticity, and meaning. (MJP)

Maintains that exposing the historical roots of self, other, and cultural traditions is a prerequisite for any effort at interreligious education or any education that penetrates cultural boundaries. Discusses how this perspective can inform future planning and implementation of interreligious educational efforts. (MJP)

Outlines a series of components essential to the construction of an interfaith dialog as a transformative experience: (1) study and reflection with and in the presence of the other; (2) an ongoing reevaluation of self-understanding in light of new information; and (3) formal and informal sharing of truths. (MJP)

Provides an extensive recounting of a colloquium convened at the Institute for Christian-Jewish Studies in Baltimore, Maryland. The colloquium brought together Catholic and Jewish educators from the northeastern United States for six intensive, two-day sessions over a period of nearly three years. Discusses the development and implementation of…

Maintains that the Puerto Rican Catholic and Jewish cultural and religious experience emphasizes family, communal values, and rituals. Argues that these commonalities can be a platform for building a comparative analysis and dialog. This dialog holds the possibility of strengthening personal and communal identities, as well as increasing…

Presents a summary and interpretation of responses from the participants of the Catholic-Jewish Colloquium. The participants reflect on a number of issues including the changing nature of the relationship between Judaism and Christianity, the rationale and impact of this changed relationship, the particular elements involved in the…

Maintains that interreligious learning takes place most beneficially among people who are reasonably secure in their own relationship with God and also are comfortable with the mystery of that relationship. Argues that people with little tolerance for mystery and ambiguity will become uncomfortable with other religious experiences. (MJP)

Explicates some of the forces and realities shaping the formation of religious identity in the modern world. Identity can no longer be be constructed in isolation from others and the community at large. People also are aware that identity is constructed socially. Discusses the impact of this on Christian-Jewish relations. (MJP)

Outlines a series of components deemed essential for interfaith dialog and education: (1) productive interfaith education cannot occur in isolation; (2) interfaith education strengthens the separate faiths; and (3) these efforts should be initiated at an earlier age. Briefly addresses problems concerning curricula in religious institutions. (MJP)

Reflects on the personal growth experienced at the Catholic-Jewish Colloquium by asking a series of questions. The questions reflect on such issues as pre-meeting expectations, adult learning experiences, the process of interfaith sharing, and the moving beyond communal faith boundaries. (MJP)

Provides a personal perspective on the three-year Catholic-Jewish Colloquium through anecdotes of sharing and personal growth. Discusses this process in terms of a constant attempt to fit together the pieces of a puzzle. Includes a copy of a poem by Rabbi Lawrence Kushner. (MJP)

Discusses some of the modern events that have mandated a reconceptualization of the traditional relationship between Christianity and Judaism. These include an understanding and awareness of past stereotypical representations, the birth of the modern state of Israel, and knowledge of the end result of intolerance as represented by the Holocaust.…

Maintains that an understanding of the different ways that people encounter God engenders in us an awareness of human finitude and of God's greatness and mystery. Recounts several examples of encounters during the Catholic-Jewish Colloquium that illustrate this concept. Argues for a shared vision of pluralism and tolerance. (MJP)