Clifton Diocese Interfaith Officer Delivers New Year Greeting
The Jewish community celebrate Rosh ha Shanah (New Year) this weekend
(23 and 24 September). Father Robert King, Clifton Diocese Interfaith
Officer, met with Rabbi Natan Levy, the Jewish Chaplain at the
University of Bristol and University of the West of England to present
a New Year card. The card was delivered on behalf the Catholic
community in Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire – the
area covered by the Clifton Diocese, to the local Jewish community.
It is customary for Jews and their friends to send a card which include greetings for the New Year and the High Holy Days which follow close after. Father Robert wished Rabbi Natan a Happy New Year and wished him well over the Fast. The fast refers to the Fast on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement).
Father Robert said, “Rabbi Natan’s warm welcome and kind hospitality is indicative of our continued dialogue and desire to better understand each other’s faith.”
Rabbi Natan said, "Our sages teach us the following 'it is not up to you to finish the task, yet your are not free to desist from it." This statement is particularly appropriate to this interfaith moment. There is much understanding, much dialogue, and much work that lies ahead for our two communities. Neither Father Robert nor I could hope to do it all, yet we are obligated to begin. This New Year's greeting is such a beginning. The Jewish community is greatly appreciative, and personally, I deeply moved by this gesture."
The friendly and informal meeting took place in Rabbi Natan’s home and involved enjoying a relaxed cup of tea and some tasty cookies around the kitchen table.
Nationally, the Bishops’ Conference Committee for Catholic-Jewish Relations send greetings to the Jewish community via the letters page of the Jewish Chronicle.
Useful URL : http://www.bris.ac.uk/depts/Chap
It is customary for Jews and their friends to send a card which include greetings for the New Year and the High Holy Days which follow close after. Father Robert wished Rabbi Natan a Happy New Year and wished him well over the Fast. The fast refers to the Fast on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement).
Father Robert said, “Rabbi Natan’s warm welcome and kind hospitality is indicative of our continued dialogue and desire to better understand each other’s faith.”
Rabbi Natan said, "Our sages teach us the following 'it is not up to you to finish the task, yet your are not free to desist from it." This statement is particularly appropriate to this interfaith moment. There is much understanding, much dialogue, and much work that lies ahead for our two communities. Neither Father Robert nor I could hope to do it all, yet we are obligated to begin. This New Year's greeting is such a beginning. The Jewish community is greatly appreciative, and personally, I deeply moved by this gesture."
The friendly and informal meeting took place in Rabbi Natan’s home and involved enjoying a relaxed cup of tea and some tasty cookies around the kitchen table.
Nationally, the Bishops’ Conference Committee for Catholic-Jewish Relations send greetings to the Jewish community via the letters page of the Jewish Chronicle.
Useful URL : http://www.bris.ac.uk/depts/Chap
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