The Lubar Institute for the Study of the Abrahamic Religions closed in June 2016. This web site will not be updated, and remains online as part of the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s public archive.
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Lubar Institute Newsletter
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Vol 1, Issue 3 • May 2011
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Beyond Doctrine
Working to capture the essence of inter-religious dialogue

Pope and the Qur'anOne 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

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From the Director

Professor Charles CohenIn 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

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LISAR Fellows Voice
Tamar Shertok, LISAR Undergraduate Fellow, 2010-11

Tamar Shertok 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

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Supporting the LISAR mission

LISAR symbolWhile 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