Vol 1, Issue 3 • May 2011
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Beyond Doctrine
Working to capture the essence of inter-religious dialogue
One of the classes I teach on Western religions
includes a lecture on
inter-religious dialogue.
I tend to end that lecture
with a picture of the late
Pope John Paul II, who
was recently beatified. The
picture was taken in May
2001 during the Pope’s
visit of the Umayyad
mosque of Damascus in
Syria, which is built on
top of a former Christian
basilica dedicated to John
the Baptist. The picture
shows the Pope holding in
both hands a large copy of
the Qur’an bound in thick,
green leather. He is lifting
the Qur’an up to his face
while his eyes are closed.
The Pope is kissing the
Qur’an. full story
From the Director
In late January I presented a lecture in conjunction with
the New York Public Library’s exhibition of Abrahamic
manuscripts, “Three Faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and
Islam,” and the accompanying series of neighborhood
discussions, “The 411 on Faith,” to which LISAR gave a
grant. Two weeks later I attended a session of the White
House Prayer Breakfast. On both occasions I witnessed a
profound desire among the audiences to learn about other
faiths. full story
LISAR
Fellows
Voice
Tamar Shertok,
LISAR Undergraduate Fellow, 2010-11
I was raised in a Jewish
home in Milwaukee, and
I have a strong Jewish
community in Madison.
While living in Seville,
Spain in spring 2010,
however, I felt my place
as a minority more than
I ever felt before. The
majority of the Spanish
population is Catholic and
as one of very few Jewish
students living in Seville, I
was singled out in classes
and meetings, faced
stereotypical remarks
towards Jewish people,
and was asked numerous
questions by friends,
teachers, Spaniards and
Americans about Judaism. full story
Supporting the LISAR mission
While school may be
out for many, summer
is an excellent time to
consider a gift to the Lubar
Institute. Any contribution
made this break will
offer the opportunity
to participate in an unparalled effort: the bringing
together of Muslim, Jewish and Christian students,
faculty and community members... full story