Talking to the Other

Suicide killings - both in America and Israel - have focused world attention on international terrorism. The involvement of people claiming that their Islamic faith justified murderous suicide action has intensified the demonization of Islam in the West, and in turn highlighted the need to understand and relate to Muslims in all their diversity. Rabbi Jonathan Magonet has long been engaged in interfaith dialogue, and in this book he explores the issues that arise with such an encounter and challenges the Jewish community to broaden its commitment to interfaith dialogue in a complex and rapidly changing world.

Autorentext

Jonathan Magonet is Principal of Leo Baeck College, London - the foremost progressive Rabbinic Seminary in Europe. After training as a medical doctor, he was ordained as a rabbi, and completed his PhD in Biblical studies at Heidelberg University. He is a vice-president of the World Union for Progressive Judaism, and contributes regularly to the media both in England and abroad. Amongst his numerous books, ranging from popular theology to biblical criticism, he is the co-editor with Rabbi Lionel Blue of the three prayerbooks of the Reform Synagogues of Great Britain.

Inhalt

Foreword, by Prince Hassan bin Tallal vii Preface xiii 1 Interfaith Dialogue - A Personal Introduction 1 From Theory to Practice 2 The Challenge to Judaism of Interfaith Dialogue 11 3 Chances and Limits of Multicultural Society 23 4 Reflections on the Jewish Immigrant Experience 34 5 Controversy for the Sake of Heaven 48 6 Between Controversy and Conflict 62 7 The Ten Commandments and the Quest for Universal Values 73 8 Risk-taking in Religious Dialogue 90 9 Teaching the Teachers 107 Addressing Christians 10 Jewish Perceptions of Jesus 122 11 When I See What Christians Make of the 'Hebrew' Bible 134 Addressing Muslims 12 Jewish Perceptions of Muhammad 147 13 The Challenges Facing the Muslim Community 161 Addressing Jews 14 Towards a Jewish-Muslim Dialogue 169 Interfaith Dialogue and the Middle East: A Documentation 15 Haman's New Victims 179 16 An Evening of Mourning for the Victims of the Massacre at the Hebron Mosque 183 17 Prayers for Peace in the Middle East 188 18 From a Narrow Place: A New Year Sermon 192 19 The Journey to Dialogue 199 Afterword, by Karen Armstrong 204 Appendix I: What is JCM? 208 Appendix II: A Prayer for Interfaith Meetings 214 Notes on the Text 215 References 221 Index 223