This book addresses Judaism and Orthodox Christianity, and particularly their points of similarity and difference, congruence and conflict. The city of Jerusalem stands at the heart of both these age-old faiths, but today it is a divided city in which Jews and Orthodox Christians seem to find themselves on opposite sides of history. Must this story be one of continuing conflict, or is there scope for reconciliation and common effort? How do religions that cherish tradition face up to the challenges of a rapidly changing world? What place can they offer to women? Can they welcome lesbian and gay adherents? How do their traditional resources help them to face climate change and other environmental issues? How have they responded to the COVID pandemic? What contribution can they make to current debates about subjects like euthanasia and assisted dying? In seventeen chapters by expert theologians and historians this book examines central issues of common concern. The focus is on dialogue and deepened knowledge. The authors dispel some widely held misconceptions and identify a good deal of common ground. In this way the book aims to lay foundations for future engagement between the two religions.
Nicholas de Lange is Professor Emeritus of Hebrew and Jewish Studies in the University of Cambridge. Elena Narinskaya is an academic researcher in Abrahamic Religions. Sybil Sheridan is a freelance rabbi currently working with Newcastle Reform Synagogue.
Chapter 1: A 'City whose Gates are Always Open'? Visions for Jerusalem in Orthodox Christianity Krastu Banev Chapter 2: Jerusalem: A Jewish Perspective Marc Saperstein Chapter 3: Jewish and Eastern-Rite Christian Relations in Israel: A Sketch of Contexts and Interests Petra Heldt Chapter 4: The Encounter between the Greek Orthodox Church and the Jews in Israel David Rosen Chapter 5: The Greek Orthodox Church under Israeli Sovereignty Michael G. Azar Chapter 6: Women in the Synagogue Miri Freud-Kandel Chapter 7: Women in the Orthodox Churches: Modernity and Change Mary B. Cunningham Chapter 8: Orthodoxia and Orthopraxia: On the Issue of Blood Elena Narinskaya Chapter 9: Kashrut - Niddah - Milah: On the Issue of Blood Sybil Sheridan Chapter 10: Judaism and Homosexuality Rene Pfertzel Chapter 11: Orthodoxy and Homosexuality: Mapping the Vectors Misza Cherniak Chapter 12: Confronting Environmental Crisis: What Do Jewish Traditions Teach About Using the World? Tanhum Yoreh Chapter 13: Confronting Environmental Crisis: What Do Orthodox Christian Traditions Teach About Using the World? Elizabeth Theokritoff Chapter 14: The Challenge of COVID-19: Reflections of an Orthodox Congregational Rabbi Michael Harris Chapter 15: The Challenge of COVID-19 to Rituals around Death in Orthodoxy Ian Graham Chapter 16: Euthanasia and Assisted Dying - What Jewish Texts Can Teach Us Sylvia Rothschild Chapter 17: Do We Have the Right to End Our Own Life? Orthodox Christian Responses to the Debate on Euthanasia and Assisted Dying Joanna Burton
