Overview
O R I G I N S
When? Founded in Jerusalem in February 1966.
Who? A group of clergy and theologians living in Israel.
Why? They shared the feeling that recent history demanded a fundamental consideration of Christian attitudes towards the Jewish faith and people, and that the State of Israel offered a unique setting for facing this task together.
O B J E C T I V E S
· To deepen the Christian relationship with Jews, Judaism and Israel.
· To draw together the different Christian traditions into a theological fraternity.
· To be a catalyst in Christian-Jewish dialogue and reconciliation world-wide.
Today, ETRFI is the recognized roof-organization for Christians engaged in Christian-Jewish dialogue in Israel. It is also the ecumenical group containing the widest range of members from all the historic churches.
A C T I V I T I E S
Study Program
Every year, a new theme is pursued in monthly lectures, in occasional one-day conferences and at the concluding annual retreat. Themes have included: "Designation and meaning of the term Israel from its usage in the Old Testament to and including the present day" (1966/67), "Christian and Jewish responses to ethical challenges of today" (1999/2000), "Sacred Time(s): Time of Crisis. Time of Grace"
Group Seminars
Through its membership and broad range of local contacts, ETRFI is able to organize seminars and lectures for visiting groups from all over the world, including Europe, America, Africa, Asia. A wide range of academic and spiritual issues are examined in a Jewish and Christian setting.
Student Christian Forum
In response to the various needs of Christian students from abroad studying in Israel in Christian institutions or at the Hebrew University, ETRFI offers activities and guidance to help them to integrate their studies and experiences.
Catalogue Project
Starting with a Cardinal Bea Prize, ETRFI has collected references to literature on the Jewish-Christian encounter throughout history. The thousands of entries in our computer permit the compilation of bibliographies by author, keyword or any of some 300 main topics and sub-categories; in more than ten languages, principally English, French and German.
M E M B E R S H I P
Members are representatives of the Protestant, Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches in approximately equal numbers, totalling more than one hundred, both locally and abroad.
L E A D E R S H I P
Presidents
- Dr. Maas Boertien (1966-67)
- Dr. Hans Kosmala (1967-70)
- Prof. Marcel Dubois (1970-72)
- Abbot Laurentius Klein (1972-74)
- Dr. Michael Krupp (1974-77)
- Prof. Laurentius Volken (1977-79)
- Dr. Wesley Brown (1979-81)
- Rev. Josef Stiassny (1981-83)
- Prof. Robert Craig (1983-85)
- Sr. Lucy Thorson (1985-88)
- Dr. Geert Cohen-Stuart (1988-91)
- Prof. Marcel Dubois (1991-93)
- Canon William Broughton (1993-95)
- Abbot Nikolas Egender (1995-97)
- Rev. Ermanno Garbi (1997-99)
- Prof. Marcel Dubois (1999-2001)
- Dr. Kirsten Stoffregen Pedersen (2001-05)
- Fr. Dr. Thomas Maier, WF (2005-2012)
- Canon Dr. William Broughton (2012-present, Acting President)
General Secretaries
- Rev. Canon Peter Schneider (1966-71)
- Rev. Dr. Coos Schoneveld (1971-80)
- Rev. Åke Skoog (1980-87)
- Rev. Dr. Petra Heldt (1987-present)
D I S T I N C T I O N S
As its foremost distinction, ETRFI has inspired a good number of study programs initiated by churches in Jerusalem during the last thirty years. Further distinctions include:
Liaison Committee Founding Member
The Liaison Committee founded jointly by ETRFI, American Jewish Committee and Bridges for Peace, relates to the government on issues concerning Christians in Israel. In 1988, the Ministry of the Interior visa regulations were re-defined with recommendations from the Liaison Committee. In 1998, the Knesset withdrew the anti-missionary bill after consultations with the committee. As of March 2000 ETRFI has organized a united appeal to the government on behalf of Christian organizations in regard to visas for volunteers.
ICCI Founding Member
ETRFI's affiliations with the local constituencies were instrumental in initiating the Interreligious Coordinating Council in Israel in 1991. The ICCI now provides, independently, a quality information service of interreligious activities and events.
Cross of Nails Centre Patron
ETRFI has been endowed with the honour of being a Cross of Nails centre of reconciliation of the International Centre at Coventry, UK. Through teaching, reference services and participation in conferences and seminars throughout Israel, the ETRFI works toward peace with one another and the Creator.
