How can dialogue across traditions deepen understanding of humanity’s shared quest for truth? In this conversation between two scholar-practitioners, Fr. Yann Vagneux and Prof. Anantanand Rambachan, explore the intersections between Hindu and Christian traditions. Sponsored by the JPC in partnership with the Minnesota Multifaith Network. Click here for more information.
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Peacemaking, Grieving, and Storytelling
with Author Colum McCann
Tuesday, Sep 24, 2024, 7:00 pm
Anderson Student Center, Woulfe Alumni Hall (rm 378)
University of St. Thomas, St. Paul campus (click here for map) | Visitor Parking Information
free and open to the public | click here to register (encouraged)

In the book Apeirogon, Colum McCann uniquely explores the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, named after a shape with a countably infinite number of sides to symbolize the countless perspectives and stories within the conflict. The novel centers on the true stories of two fathers—one Israeli and one Palestinian—whose daughters were killed in the conflict. The book engages themes of empathy, reconciliation, and justice by weaving together history, culture, and
politics. McCann’s best-selling work, now being adapted into a film by Steven Spielberg, emphasizes human connections beyond divisive realities. As the co-founder of Narrative 4, McCann brings deep insights and lyrical prose to this timely discussion. Click here for more information.

Join President Vischer for this conversation with award-winning author Colum McCann. This event is co-sponsored by the College of Arts & Sciences, the Jay Phillips Center for Interreligious Studies, the Selim Center for Lifelong Learning, and the Center for Irish Studies. We extend our gratitude for the financial support from the Mike & Linda Fiterman Family Foundation.
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The Way of Abraham Joshua Heschel and His Legacy for Jewish-Christian Relations
A Conversation with John C. Merkle, Ph.D. moderated by Rabbi Ryan Dulkin, Ph.D.

Thursday, Sep 26, 2024, 12:00 pm – 1:10 pm

Iverson Center for Faith, Schoenecker Multipurpose Room (LL16)

University of St. Thomas, St. Paul campus (click here for map) / Visitor Parking Information
free and open to the public | click here to register (optional)

“No religion is an island,” Abraham Joshua Heschel poignantly observed, capturing the interdependency of the diverse religious worldviews and ways of life. In this program, drawing from this foundational belief, Dr. Merkle, interviewed by Rabbi Dulkin, will explore the theological and practical depth and breadth of Heschel’s impact on Jewish-Christian relations and interfaith relations in general. Rabbi Dr. Abraham Joshua Heschel was a prominent 20th-century Jewish theologian and philosopher, originally from Poland, who became deeply involved in American civil rights activism and interfaith relations, renowned for his work in ethics and spirituality. Sponsored by the JPC in partnership with Encountering Judaism Initiative of the Theology Department. Click here for more information.
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News & Opportunities

Marianne Moyaert, joining the Jay Phillips Center as scholar-in-residence from KU Leuven, will be with us from April 6-11, 2025. Her visit will include a public lecture on her new book Christian Imaginations of the Religious Other: A History of Religionization, a faculty pedagogy workshop, guest lectures in classes, and participation in a public panel on interreligious studies and interfaith leadership in Higher Education.

Introducing the inaugural JPC Faculty Fellows, a distinguished group of faculty members who, alongside their regular undergraduate courses that engage with religious diversity, will lend their scholarly expertise to enhance our initiatives. They will promote inter-, multi-, and trans-disciplinary approaches to interreligious studies and foster intellectual collaboration. The inaugural fellows include Shaherzad Ahmadi (History), Rabbi Ryan Dulkin (Theology & Encountering Judaism), Mary Elmstrand
(Theology), Christopher Wong Michaelson (Ethics & Business Law), Fuad Naeem (Theology & Encountering Islam), Laurel Potter (Theology), and Ted Ulrich (Theology).

Project funded by grant from Interfaith America will help us develop a university-wide multifaith strategic plan that will will enhance institutional behaviors, enrich extracurricular engagement, integrate diverse religious perspectives into the curriculum, and expand the Interfaith Fellows Program. The initiative, co-led by Dr. Hans Gustafson, Prof. Mary Elmstrand, Prof. Susan Myers, Dr. Kimberly Vrudny, Kha Yang, and Fr. Chris Collins, SJ, will also include microgrants for projects that support religious diversity in the classroom and campus life.

Undergraduate Opportunity: Study religious diversity and dialogue in Norway: In collaboration with Dialogpilotene, in January 2025, students can participate in “From Frozen Lakes to Frosty Fjords: Dialogue, Diversity, and Leadership in MN and Norway,” a program that explores religious diversity, dialogue, and leadership to develop the skills to navigate difficult conversations and grow as a leader. This course focuses on topics such as religion, antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism, gender, reconciliation, free speech, extremism, secularism, and pluralism, preparing you to foster healthy disagreement and promote understanding in religiously diverse societies. Apply now!

Undergraduate Opportunity: Complete the Engaging Religious Diversity Certificate Program as an Interfaith Fellow: Complete the program at your own pace while at St. Thomas, with no application required—just a simple registration. Open to students of all religious, spiritual, secular, and nonreligious identities, the program offers four micro-credential badges: Interfaith Scholar, Interfaith Practitioner, Interfaith Leader, and Interfaith Champion. You can earn these badges in any order or concurrently. These digital badges help document your learning and share your acquired knowledge and skills within St. Thomas and beyond. Click here for more information.

Launch of new Holocaust and Genocide Studies Minor at St. Thomas: Offered by the College of Arts and Sciences, this new interdisciplinary minor offers students an opportunity to explore the historical, theological, political, and cultural roots of antisemitism, racism, and other forms of extreme hatred that lead to genocide. Click here for more information.