The Council of Christians and Jews (Victoria)

ITS HISTORY AND PURPOSES

The Council of Christians and Jews (Victoria) was established in 1985 at the initiative of number of Christian and Jewish leaders within the Melbourne community. Most of the major Christian denominations and streams of Judaism are represented in its membership and on its Executive Committee.

The purposes for which the Council exists are:

To educate Christians and Jews to appreciate each other's distinctive beliefs and practices and their common ground;

To promote the study of and research into the historical, political, economic, social, religious and racial causes of conflicts between people of different creeds and colour;

To promote, for the benefit of the community, education in those fundamental ethical teachings common to Christianity and Judaism which relate to respect and understanding between people of different creeds.

With the aid of all people of goodwill, individually or organisationally, the Council is determined to combat all forms of discrimination and prejudice and to further the cause of reconciliation in all its facets. It is not a theological forum, although, in order to achieve its purposes, it must make every endeavour to counter misunderstanding and misrepresentation, for example, in the way in which Judaism and Jews have been presented from New Testament times to the present day. Nor does the Council have any particular political agenda or association, and it is implacably opposed to any attempt to use it for the purpose of proselytising.

The work of the Council is planned and directed by an Executive Committee which consists of members elected by the Annual General Meeting, co-opted persons, the Honorary Office-bearers as well as the Presidents. Two of the last-named represent the Jewish community and the others are Heads of certain participating Christian churches, namely, the Anglican, Greek Orthodox, Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Baptist Church and the Uniting Church.

The aims and objective of the Council are addressed, in the main, through two means, namely, publications and public meetings. 

The Council produces a very fine annual journal, Gesher, which is highly regarded in Australia and overseas. It is distributed free of charge. The council has a number of very helpful booklets. These include: Rightly Explaining the Word of Truth - Jews and Judaism in the New Testament; Re-reading Paul - a fresh look at his attitude to Torah and to Judaism; Judaism in Transition 175BCE - 150CE: Christian Jewish Perspectives. These and other publications can be obtained from the CCJ office. The public meetings take many forms: lectures, seminars, panel discussions, etc. A Luncheon Club meets in the city from time to time when visiting guests are available.