Chicago, IL (February 6, 2017) – Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, will deliver the welcoming remarks at the 22nd Annual Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Jerusalem Lecture on Monday, February 13, beginning at 7 p.m., at DePaul University’s Lincoln Park Student Center, 2250 N. Sheffield, Chicago.
“This lecture has been a key feature of our Ecumenical and Interreligious Ministry for more than twenty years,” said Cardinal Blase J. Cupich. “In these challenging times, it is all the more important that we stand with our brothers and sisters of different faiths and backgrounds, listen to them and learn from their wisdom.”
This year’s guest lecturer is Professor David Shatz, the Ronald P. Stanton University Professor of Philosophy, Ethics, and Religious Thought at Yeshiva University. He is editor of The Torah u-Madda Journal, and editor of the MeOtzar HoRav series, devoted to publishing manuscripts of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik. He holds a PhD with Distinction In general philosophy from Columbia University and ordination from The Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. He has edited, co-edited, or authored a number of books, articles and reviews on general and Jewish philosophy.
Professor Shatz’ lecture will focus on Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik (known as “The Rav”), who is widely remembered for his critique of theological dialogue between Christians and Jews. Yet, in his philosophic writings, he makes extensive use of Christian theologians like Karl Barth, Frederick Dale Bruner, Soren Kierkegaard, Max Scheler and others. Professor David Shatz, a student of Rabbi Soloveitchik, will center on aspects of the paradoxical and dynamic relationship between Rav Soloveitchik’s rejection of theological dialogue, and his heartfelt recognition of common interests, common ideas, and shared challenges of American Christians and Jews.
The Annual Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Jerusalem Lecture series began in 1995, when Joseph Cardinal Bernardin delivered a lecture entitled “Anti-Semitism: The Historical Legacy and the Continuing Challenge for Christians” in the Senate Hall at Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The annual lecture series continues to contribute to the dialogue between Jews and Catholics on issues affecting their relationship.
Lecture sponsors include the Archdiocese of Chicago Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs; The American Jewish Committee; Anti-Defamation League; Chicago Board of Rabbis; Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago; and Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership. Co-Sponsors for 2017 are DePaul University – University Ministry; Catholic Studies; Center for Jewish Law and Judaic Studies; Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity; Center for Religion, Culture and Community
Admission for the event is free, but attendees are asked to register online http://legacy.archchicago.org/departments/ecumenical/Lecture2017.htm.
Additional information about the Archdiocesan Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs and the Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Jerusalem Lecture is available at http://legacy.archchicago.org/departments/ecumenical/.
About the Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs
The Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the Archdiocese of Chicago works to foster the ecumenical goal of the visible unity of Christians, to deepen interfaith relations with Jews and Muslims, and to nurture understanding among all religious groups through dialogue, formation, prayer, and collaboration in civic affairs.
About the Archdiocese of Chicago
The Archdiocese of Chicago, the third largest in the United States, serves more than 2.2 million Catholics in 347 parishes in Cook and Lake Counties, a geographic area of 1,411 square miles. The Archdiocese, pastored by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, has more than 15,000 employees in its systems and ministries, including Catholic Charities, the region’s largest nonprofit social service agency. The Archdiocese’s 217 elementary and secondary schools comprise the largest U.S. private school system and have garnered more U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Awards than any system of any type. The Archdiocese also has one of the country’s largest seminaries.