Program on Jewish-Christian Relations Oct. 21

On Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 5:30 p.m., The University of Scranton will host an event titled “Jewish-Christian Relations in the Wake of Oct. 7 and the War in Gaza” in the Pearn Auditorium in Brennan Hall. This event features Hana Bendcowsky, the Program Director of the Jerusalem Center for Jewish-Christian Relations, and John Munayer, the Director of International Engagement at Jerusalem’s Rossing Center for Education and Dialogue. Munayer, a Palestinian-Christian, and Bendcowsky, an Israeli Jew, have worked together for many years engaging Jews and Christians in the Holy Land and elsewhere in dialogue and peace efforts.

More about the speakers:

Munayer, Director of International Engagement at the Rossing Center, was born and raised in Jerusalem and has been involved in peace-building and dialogue initiatives from a young age. He is completing an MSc in International Relations of the Middle East from the University of Edinburgh and holds a Master of Arts in Theology and Religious Studies from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and a Bachelor of Arts in Religion, Politics and Society from King’s College London. Munayer also researches, writes and lectures on Palestinian Christian identity, Palestinian theology and interreligious dialogue.

Bendcowsky, Program Director of the Jerusalem Center for Jewish-Christian Relations (JCJCR), holds a Master of Arts degree in Comparative Religion from the Hebrew University and has 27 years of practical experience in interfaith activities in Israel and abroad. She teaches in various institutions, colleges, academic programs and more. She is involved in many of the Center’s activities, including its dialogue programs, producing educational materials, consulting and advocacy work. Bendcowsky is a professional tour educator in Jerusalem, leading study tours in the Christian Quarter. She has particular expertise in the Christian Communities in Israel and Jewish-Christian relations in the Israeli context.

“I have worked with John and Hana during my many previous visits to the Holy Land with students from the University. They are both incredibly gracious people whose backgrounds and on-the-ground experiences allow them to offer perspectives that are as necessary as they are uncommon for audiences in the United States. We are truly thankful that they are able to visit us in Scranton,” Fr. Michael G. Azar, Ph.D., theology professor and event co-organizer, said about the featured speakers. Registration is available at this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Jewish-Christian-Relations 

This event is co-sponsored by The University of Scranton’s Slattery Center, Office of Community Relations, Ellacuria Initiative, Judaic Studies and the Theology and Religious Studies Department together.