May 20, 2003

CHICAGO - The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), joined with other ELCA leaders here May 12 for an informal dialogue with leaders representing the Commission on Interreligious Affairs of Reform Judaism.

After the day-long dialogue at the ELCA churchwide office, the leaders agreed to meet for more discussions over a two-year period, said the Rev. Franklin Sherman, associate for interfaith relations, ELCA Department for Ecumenical Affairs, Allentown, Pa. A committee to followup on the dialogue was named, Sherman said.

The May 12 dialogue grew out of a meeting Hanson had in August 2002 with several Jewish leaders in New York, a follow-up to Hanson's statements on violence in Israel and the West Bank.

The May 12 dialogue included presentations on the ELCA and Reform Judaism, text studies and an overview of developments in Christian- Jewish relations. The participants also discussed the need for "accountability" with each other, and the Reform Judaism representatives asked if they could be "consulted" before the ELCA issues any public statements that may be of interest to their community, such as statements regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Middle East.

News reporters were excluded from the meeting until the final "wrap-up" hour. Representatives from the ELCA and Reform Judaism groups were made available for questions after the meeting concluded.

"In the ELCA, engagement with Judaism and the Jewish community has taken place sporadically. This the first such engagement on the churchwide level," said the Rev. John K. Stendahl, Lutheran Church of the Newtons, Newton Center, Mass., and chair of the Department for Ecumenical Affairs advisory committee.

Rabbi Michael Signer, Department of Theology, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind., said he felt a great sense of hospitality while meeting with the ELCA representatives. Signer, who co-chairs the Reform Judaism commission, expressed appreciation to the ELCA for its April 1994 declaration to the Jewish community.

In the declaration, adopted by the ELCA Church Council, the ELCA acknowledged and rejected the anti-Jewish writings of church reformer and teacher, Martin Luther, a German monk for whom Lutheran churches are named. It also expressed the ELCA's desire "to live out our faith in Jesus Christ with love and respect for the Jewish people."

In 1998, the council adopted a series of guidelines to foster Lutheran-Jewish relations. They were drafted by the Consultative Panel on Lutheran-Jewish Relations of the ELCA Department for Ecumenical Affairs. A new resource, "Talking Points: Topics in Christian-Jewish Relations," was introduced to the dialogue participants.

Judith Hertz, Reform Judaism commission co-chair, New York, said she feels a personal responsibility to make known the ELCA's declaration, guidelines and talking points to people in her community. "This needs to engage people where they need to be engaged," she said. "There are lots of places where I'm willing to get that done."

There should be a "next step" that follows from the May 12 dialogue, Sherman said. "I heard people say this was a good idea," he said. "The fact that we seem to be committed to a next step is an important thing."

Conversation to build Lutheran-Jewish relations can happen at the local and synodical levels, Signer suggested. Already, some rabbis have "long-term" professional relationships with Lutheran pastors, he noted. Seminary students from both traditions could also meet, Hertz suggested.

"Things can be learned in an interfaith setting that cannot be learned within your own walls," said Rabbi David Sandmel, K.A.M. Isaiah Israel, Chicago.

Representatives from both groups expressed appreciation for the presiding bishop's involvement through the day-long dialogue. The significance of Hanson's presence will help the Jewish representatives underscore the ELCA's commitment to dialogue with the Jewish community, Sandmel said.

"This gives us leverage with our people," Signer said. "This all began in an exchange of conversation over some statements from the presiding bishop. Bishop Hanson faced up to this not only with courage but with action."

It is important to note that Hanson "understands the importance of face-to face conversation," Stendahl said.

Sherman added that he was "immensely grateful" for Hanson's involvement in the dialogue.

Others representing the Commission on Interreligious Affairs of Reform Judaism at the meeting were Mark Pelavin, Religious Action Center and commission director, Washington, D.C.; Rabbi Karyn Kader, Union of American Hebrew Congregations, Great Lakes Council, Northbrook, Ill.; Aaron Bloom, chancellor-elect, Jewish Chautauqua Society, and Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, Baltimore; Matthew Soffer, Religious Action Center, Washington, D.C.; Rabbi Steven Denker, Congregation Kol Ami, Chicago; and Dr. Victor Goldbloom, Canadian Jewish Congress, Quebec Region, Montreal.

Others representing the ELCA were the Rev. Barbara S. Gazzolo, St. James Lutheran Church, Lake Forest, Ill.; the Rev. Darrell H. Jodock, distinguished professor of religion, Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minn.; Dr. Esther M. Menn, associate professor of Old Testament, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago; and Dr. Karla R. Suomala, assistant professor of religion, Luther College, Decorah, Iowa.

Information on the ELCA Declaration to the Jewish Community and the Lutheran-Jewish talking points can be found at http://www.elca.org/ea/interfaith/index.html on the ELCA Web site.

ELCA News Service