Engaging our Jewish and Muslim neighbours

Remembering NOSTRA AETATE

PRESENTER

David Mark Neuhaus SJ is a member of the Society of Jesus. Born in South Africa during the apartheid era, Father Neuhaus has lived most of his life in Israel and is an Israeli citizen. David Neuhaus teaches Scripture in various institutions in Israel and Palestine.

Fr David Neuhaus completed a BA, MA and PhD (Political Science) at Hebrew University, Jerusalem. He then completed pontifical degrees in theology in Paris (Centre Sevres), and in theology and scripture in Rome (Pontifical Biblical Institute). He is emeritus Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Hebrew Speaking Catholics in Israel and Coordinator of the Pastoral Ministry among Migrants.

OVERVIEW

Session 1:

BACKGROUND AND STRUCTURE OF NOSTRA AETATE.

We will read together the text of Nostra Aetate, examining the type of dialogue that is proposed with the believers of other religious traditions. We will be encouraged to consider what is the relationship between our mission as Christians and our engagement in dialogue with our non-Christian neighbours?

Session 2:

PARAGRAPH 4 OF NOSTRA AETATE

Our focus will be on paragraph 4 of Nostra Aetate, which deals at length with the Church’s attitude to the Jewish people. In what way are Catholics and Jews called to engage with one another today?

The presentation provides a reflection on paragraph 4 of the document followed by a dialogue session with Dr David Lubinski, a friend to Fr David and a member of the South African Jewish community.

Session 3:

PARAGRAPH 3 OF NOSTRA AETATE

Paragraph 3 of Nostra Aetate, which deals with the Church’s attitude to Muslims will be our focus. We are invited to explore how Catholics and Muslims are called to engage with one another today?

This week involves a reflection on paragraph 3 of the document followed by a dialogue session with a Muslim woman, Mrs Hakima Haithar, the deputy director of the Jesuit Refugee Service regional office for Southern Africa.

BIOGRAPHY

David Neuhaus SJ

David Neuhaus SJ is a member of the Society of Jesus, since 1992, and is an Israeli citizen. He was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and grew up in the Jewish community there. His parents were refugees from Nazi Germany. When he was 15 years old, in 1977, his parents sent him to Jerusalem, as part of a large group of SA adolescents. Their hope was that he might find an alternative home there safe from apartheid South Africa.

While the other students were enjoying their sabbath rest, he writes, ”I was drawn to the ‘other side’ – to Arab Jerusalem pulsating with energy, the Old City, the Mount of Olives. I became familiar with the churches, monasteries, and mosques that we were barely introduced to as Jewish teenagers.” The young David met a Russian Orthodox nun who introduced him to Jesus of Nazareth. In time, he felt a call to become a Christian, but in deference to his parents, who were upset, he decided that he would wait ten years before adopting a new religious identity.

David then met a devout Muslim and a proud Palestinian Jerusalemite who introduced him to his family. It was there that he met Muslims, Palestinians and Arabic civilization and decided to learn Arabic. Subsequently, he later offered his services as a Arabic/Hebrew translator to various organizations that sought to promote dialogue.

Ordination

David was baptized in 1988. He was ordained to the priesthood by Patriarch Michel Sabbah in 2000. His father from South Africa read the first reading in Hebrew and the first row of the church was reserved for his Jewish parents and relatives and for his adopted Muslim family and his relatives. Mass was celebrated in Arabic, Hebrew, English and French. The congregation consisted of Israelis and Palestinians, Jews, Christians and Muslims.

Father David then began his teaching career. He teaches Scripture in various academic institutions in Israel and Palestine and publishes widely in journals and books. Fr David completed a BA, MA and PhD (Political Science) at Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Later, he completed pontifical degrees in theology and Scripture in Paris (Centre Sevres) and Rome (Pontifical Biblical Institute). He is emeritus Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Hebrew-speaking Catholics in Israel and Coordinator of the Pastoral Ministry among Migrants.