Jewish and Christian Seminarians Encounter Texts Together

by Melissa Heller

What happens when rabbinical students partner with Protestant seminarians and commit to a sustained and in-depth study of biblical text?

A lot.

They seek commonality. They tell stories. They bring their vulnerabilities. They are offered a new lens through which to view their sacred texts. They are challenged to articulate their beliefs and explain aspects of their tradition to their study partners, often helping them to clarify their relationship to their own tradition, to their sacred literature and to God. As a semester progresses and trust develops, they share their challenges. They question their partners. They come to appreciate their differences, and to respect them.

As the interactions deepen between the pairs, and among the group, so too does understanding. What results is a broadening of their definitions of “Jew” and “Christian” to include nuance, narrative and diversity.

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