Jewish-Christian Relations Conference
September 26-28, 2024
Inspiring students with the vocation of reconciliation
As conflict mounts in the Middle East and the Israel/Palestine issue once again becomes a focal point for world news, issues of antisemitism have come to the fore in a complex and challenging manner. Universities are grappling with the delicate balance between free speech and hate speech, striving to foster productive dialogue while quelling violence. The Christian community faces particularly nuanced challenges, navigating the historical legacy of Christian antisemitism, our commitment to the poor and vulnerable, and the complexities of Christian Zionism.
As Christian institutions of higher education, it is our privilege to teach students to think critically, reflect deeply, and cultivate mature Christian character. In a divisive time, we have a unique opportunity to embody neighborly love by modeling authentic dialogue and collaborative problem-solving with the Jewish community, addressing both historic divisions and current issues. By doing so, we can not only help our students become thoughtful leaders during a tumultuous time but also enrich their faith and deepen their theological reflection.
This fall, join us at Greenville University for a 2-day conference to engage with Jewish leaders on current topics and our shared history and biblical tradition. Conference speakers will be drawn from Jewish communities near each AFMEI school. This will ensure that everyone can connect with a committed partner from their local Jewish community for ongoing projects. Together, we will consider how encounters with Judaism can enrich our students’ own faith journey and how we can discuss issues of antisemitism and the State of Israel from a uniquely Christian perspective.
This event is hosted by the Shapiro Chair of Jewish Christian Studies at Greenville University in collaboration with the Jewish Council for Public Affairs.
Who can attend?
This conference is open to faculty, staff, administration, and students of AFMEI schools, as well as members of Free Methodist conferences and local churches.
Cost:
- The first 50 registrants are free. After that, a registration fee of $50 will be applied.
- Travel stipends are available on a limited basis to AFMEI faculty, staff, and students. Please send a letter of interest to Jewish-Christian.Studies@greenville.edu.
- Faculty Fellows for the 2024-25 school year are fully funded.
