The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and The Canadian Rabbinic Caucus hold biannual dialogue meeting in Ottawa

Ottawa – The national bilateral dialogue of the Canadian Rabbinic Caucus and the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops met for its biannual meeting 13-14 November 2018 at the Dominican University College in Ottawa.

The dialogue members reviewed and reflected on the recently released book entitled "Cast Out of the Covenant: Jews and Anti-Judaism in the Gospel of John" published by Dr. Adele Reinhartz, a member of the dialogue and Professor of Classics and Religious Studies, Faculty of Arts, at the University of Ottawa. Furthermore, the dialogue continued in its work on the Jewish and Catholic approaches to praying with and understanding the Psalms looking specifically at Psalms 115-116, which, in the Jewish tradition, comprise part of the Hallel set of prayers that are recited on joyous occasions.

The evening of 13 November, the dialogue coordinated a concert hosted at Kehillat Beth Israel Synagogue in Ottawa entitled "'Sing to the Lord a New Song' – The Psalms in the Jewish and Catholic Traditions". The evening was marked by choral music, sung in Hebrew, French, English and Latin, provided by the Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica choir, led by its director, Mr. Michel Guimont, and the Kehillat Beth Israel Synagogue's choir, led by Cantor Jason Green. Likewise, members of the dialogue discussed on how each respective tradition prays with the Psalms both in community and in personal prayer. The dialogue dedicated the evening's concert to the victims of the Pittsburgh shooting which tragically occurred at the Tree of Life Synagogue 27 October 2018.

The next meeting of the national bilateral dialogue of the Canadian Rabbinic Caucus and the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops is scheduled for the spring of 2019.

Editorial remarks

Source: Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.