INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE, PEACE, AND GLOBAL SOLIDARITY
JUSTICE, PEACE, AND INTEGRITY OF CREATION (JPIC)
Based on Catholic Social Teaching and the leadership of our parishioners, our Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Interreligious Dialogue, Peace, and Global Solidarity formation and advocacy efforts currently focus on three main areas:
- Jewish-Christian Dialogue, Anti-Judaism/Semitism, and the Sho'ah
- Peace in The Holy Land
- Peace in Ukraine
If you have any questions, please contact:
Ken Chiha, Director of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC)
Ken Chiha, Director of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC)
I. JEWISH-CHRISTIAN DIALOGUE, ANTI-JUDAISM/SEMITISM, AND THE SHO'AH
INTERFAITH CLERGY CONFERENCE
Join us at Beth El Synagogue on Wednesday April 10 at 9:30 am for our annual Interfaith Clergy Conference -- for clergy and lay leaders!
This year, we are featuring Rabbi Shai Held, President and Dean at the Hadar Institute for a presentation and discussion about his latest book, “Judaism is About Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life.” All registrants will receive a copy!
This discussion will probe the similarities and differences about the way that Christianity and Judaism think about love. Rabbi Held recovers the heart of the Jewish tradition, offering the radical and moving argument that love belongs as much to Judaism as it does to Christianity. Blending intellectual rigor, a respect for tradition and the practices of a living Judaism, and a commitment to the full equality of all people, Held seeks to reclaim Judaism as it authentically is.
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SOME WERE NEIGHBORS: CHOICE, HUMAN BEHAVIOR, AND THE HOLOCAUST
“Some Were Neighbors examines a variety of motives and pressures that influenced individual choices to act. These influences often reflect fear, indifference, antisemitism, career concerns, community standing, peer pressure, or chances for material gain. It also looks at individuals who did not give in to the opportunities and temptations to betray their fellow human beings, reminding us that there is an alternative to complicity in evil acts—even in extraordinary times.” -USHMM Website
This is our common space for conversation, learning, and action. This exhibit is meant to combat religious hate, racism, and genocide. If you were unable to attend the opening of the exhibit, you will have numerous opportunities to visit the exhibit individually or as a group.
We are truly grateful to all those in our community who participated in this important exhibit, either as individuals or leading school, religious, or other groups to engage in this important experience. |
Thank you to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and Duke Memorial UMC for co-sponsoring. We also would like to thank DCIA and Duke Memorial UMC, Watts St. Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church, and Epworth UMC for graciously hosting this exhibit for our community.
On Sunday, October 22, over 20 members of our parish community joined our Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Promoting Human Dignity Team to visit the Dachau ashes burial site and memorial at the Durham Hebrew Cemetery. Sharon Halperin with the Holocaust Speakers Bureau, along with her husband Dr. Ed Halperin, shared with us the history of the memorial.
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We are grateful to them and all who participated as we continue our journey to foster understanding and kinship with our Jewish brothers and sisters as we seek to learn from our past and build a better community together.
II. PEACE IN THE HOLY LAND
DIALOGUE WITH PALESTINIAN AND ISRAELI BEREAVED FAMILIES FOR PEACE
The Franciscan Action Network hosted a Dialogue with Palestinian and Israeli Bereaved Families for Peace. The event featured two speakers from the Holy Land, one Israeli and one Palestinian, who are members of the Parents Circle – Families Forum.
They shared their personal stories of loss and discussed how they continue to work together for peace and reconciliation even under current challenging circumstances. The presentation was followed by a Q&A session. Read more about the speakers by clicking here. If you were unable to attend the event, I have included the YouTube recording below:
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ROOTS: AN INTERFAITH EVENT
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ISRAEL AND THE WAR IN GAZA
LECTURE SERIES AT JUDEA REFORM WITH ISRAELI JOURNALIST AND AUTHOR, GERSHOM GORENBERG
Join Judea Reform Congregation on February 17th and 18th for our annual Levin-Moscovitz Lecture Series. Our speaker this year is Israeli journalist and author, Gershom Gorenberg. There will be two opportunities to study and learn with this renowned Israeli journalist and scholar. You and your communities are welcome to attend as you are available.
On February 17th at 9 am in the Levin Social Hall at Judea Reform, Gorenberg will teach "The Midrash on Messianism: Enraging a Lion or Ascending a Ladder?" On Sunday, February 18th at 9:30 am in the Levin Social Hall at Judea Reform, the keynote is titled "Israel and the War in Gaza: What Went Wrong. What Must Go Right."
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THE WAY FORWARD FOR MIDDLE EAST PEACE CONFIRMATION |
A report from two U.S. Catholic representatives who recently returned from Israel-Palestine, Jordan, and Lebanon where they met with Christian leaders and others working for peace in the Israel-Gaza war, as part of a delegation organized by Churches for Middle East Peace in January 2024.
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SPEAKERS
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“Take our hearts with you back to the United States because they are full of pain and hopelessness but feel inspired knowing that we will teach the world how to recover by working in accordance with the principle that we are all human beings.”
– Palestinian Christian minister in Bethlehem |
A HELPFUL REFLECTION ON MOURNING, SOLIDARITY, AND SOCIAL PROTESTThe reflection has been shared widely across the internet. Since I have been unable to confirm the author of this statement, I cannot properly acknowledge the author whose hard work, efforts, gifts, and creative spirit helped capture the sentiment that so many of us feel. Unfortunately, this has become an increasingly common problem in the era of the internet. I hope in sharing the author's work we can work together to embody the spirit that led to its composition.
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III. PEACE IN UKRAINE
“THE WAR AGAINST UKRAINE AND THE CLIMATE CRISIS:” WHAT DO THEY HAVE IN COMMON
A PANEL DISCUSSION HOSTED BY IMMACULATE CONCEPTION'S JUSTICE, PEACE, AND INTEGRITY OF CREATION (JPIC) AND DUKE UNIVERSITY'S CENTER FOR RECONCILITION
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE AND COMMUNITY BUILDING
© All rights reserved.
If you have questions regarding our various JPIC ministries, please contact me directly.
Kennith M. Chiha, Director of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC)
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church - 901-A West Chapel Hill Street, Durham, NC 27701
(919) 682-3449 Ext. 293 - chihak@icdurham.org
If you have questions regarding our various JPIC ministries, please contact me directly.
Kennith M. Chiha, Director of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC)
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church - 901-A West Chapel Hill Street, Durham, NC 27701
(919) 682-3449 Ext. 293 - chihak@icdurham.org