A new center for Jewish-Christian dialogue and interaction will open on June 1, 2008, in Efrat, a Jewish settlement southwest of Jerusalem. Called the Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding and Cooperation (CJCUC), it will be headed by Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, an Orthodox scholar and educator who serves as Chief Rabbi of Efrat. Rabbi Eugene Korn will serve as the North American director, and starting in 2009, the Rev. Petra Heldt will serve as European director. David Nekrutman will be the Executive Director and Limor Riskin the Director of Operations.

"Both Judaism and Christianity have profound messages for the world and each must speak to humanity and to each other,” said Rabbi Riskin. “We are certain that through these dialogues we will find more that unites us than divides us.”

The Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding and Cooperation will be organized around three institutes: the Institute for Judeo-Christian Values and World Affairs, the Institute for Theological Inquiry, and the Institute for Jewish-Evangelical Relations. It will include 36 lodging rooms and a conference facility accommodating 350 people. The center has already been hosting Christian groups for non-residential educational experiences.

Further information about the new center can be found on its website at www.cjcuc.com.

From press releases and news reports

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