Freedom of Religion: Council of Christians and Jews

The Council for Christians and Jews invites you to:

‘The importance of interfaith respect in fostering religion for human flourishing.’ 
Freedom of Religion | A Jewish - Baptist Dialogue

Date: Sunday 22 September 2019      Time: 2:30pm to 4pm
Location: Kew Baptist Church, 10 Highbury Grove, Kew VIC 3101

At a time when the notion of ‘freedom of religion’ seems to be mired in controversy, it is important to cultivate a respectful and informed understanding. We are therefore seeking to build a bridge of understanding between Christians and Jews; to educate each other and the wider community on the separate and distinct beliefs, as well as areas of common ground. The resurgence in hate language and evidence of increasingly divisive rhetoric and vilification, accentuates the need for a careful conversation that grapples with historic and political complexities. Confusion in social discourse and a tendency to polarised attitudes to religious debate calls for a wise and nuanced conversation. Join us to hear Rev Dr René Erwich and Rabbi Fred Morgan AM draw on their rich historical experience to inform our current dilemmas. Q&A and discussion to follow.

More about the speakers:

• Rev Dr René Erwich is the Principal of Whitley, the Baptist Theological College in Victoria. With a PhD from Utrecht University, he was appointed in 2017 after working as a research professor in Practical Theology in the Netherlands. His focus in teaching and research is on the intersection of faith, religious practices and society. His interests include theology and media; human sexuality and theology; and supervised learning. He is married to Christa Eijer and together they have four children.
  
  
• Rabbi Fred Morgan AM studied and taught the religions of India at Columbia University (USA), Cambridge University and the University of Bristol (UK), before entering Leo Baeck College in London to train as a rabbi. After his ordination he served for 13 years in North West Surrey Synagogue (UK), while also teaching courses in Midrash and Modern Jewish thought at Leo Baeck College. In 1997 he came to Melbourne with his wife Sue and three children to assume the post of Senior Rabbi at Temple Beth Israel, Melbourne, the flagship Progressive synagogue in Australia. Following that, he became a Professorial Fellow in Jewish-Christian Relations at the ACU, and is currently Emeritus Rabbi at Temple Beth Israel.

Cost: $10 entry fee | Includes Kosher afternoon tea
Advise attendance: (03) 9429 5212 | ccjvic@bigpond.net.au
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