Document text
Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Local Issues Obituaries Weather Archive Revels Etcetera Backpage Hot Topics Most Viewed Forum Photo Galleries Video Readers Polls O-Zone Online Games Movie Preview Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad May 20, 2006 Havura hosts class on Judaism and Christianity The Rabbi David Zaslow hosts an interfaith class called “Roots and Branches” starting Sunday. Submitted photo Beginning Sunday at 7:30 p.m. there will be a six-week historic interfaith study course entitled “Roots and Branches.” In February Rabbi David Zaslow offered this class for the first time. “It was an overwhelming success. To be in a room with almost 40 people of amazingly diverse spiritual backgrounds who are open and willing to learn some difficult facts about our shared history was uplifting and brought us all closer to a united future” says Ayala Zonnenschein, program director of Havurah Shir Hadash. One participant, Marlis Beier, came each week from Bend to participate. “‘Roots and Branches,’ both the book and class, filled in so many of my questions about Christianity, Judaism and our relationship,” Beier said. “I began to understand Paul/Saul’s reasoning for his church decisions All those wonderings about being ‘saved,’ sin and permanent absolution by clergy in the church got addressed. I learned about what Jews and Christians share and what is really different. “The” Messiah, our messiahs and the meschiach (messianic) age found new meaning for me. I have a new approach to conversation about rituals, holy days and sharing a world with my Christian friends (thanks to) this fascinating and illuminating work.” Fran and Tim Orrok of Ashland said, “Rabbi David brings great scholarship, integrity and respect to his teachings.a Journey of discovery for the brave of both faith traditions.” The class was well attended by Jews and Christians alike. Reverend Pam Shepherd of Ashland First Congregational United Church of Christ commented, “Rabbi David Zaslow’s class helps further Jewish/Christian relations by exploring the Jewish roots of Christianity, while also naming and unpacking the destructive legacy of Christian Anti Semitism. Opportunities like this are a blessing.” Another participant was Pastor Ron Timen of the Rivergate Church, who expressed that “the class was disturbing, provoking, and enlightening. Rabbi David taught with respect, honor, and humor. It was a great experience which I hope and pray will lead to further acts of reconciliation between church and synagogue!” The class will consist of Christians and Jews tackling the difficult issues of anti-Semitism, and the future of our shared vision to make the world a better place. The course will answer questions such as: What are the Jewish roots of the “Our father” prayer? What are the Jewish roots of the Eucharist? What did the notions of heaven, salvation, and redemption mean to religious Jews in the first century? What were the causes of Christian anti-Semitism? Participants will use Rabbi David Zaslow’s new text Roots and Branches The fee for the class is $50 plus $26 for the text. Advance registration is required. Call Ayala Zonnenschein at 488-7716 for more information or to pre-register. The Havurah is located at 185 N. Mountain Ave. Log onto the Havurah website at www.havurahshirhadash.org for an updated, down-loadable calendar of events and classes. --> Copyright © 2006 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved.