The Perceptions Of Jews & Christians When Looking At Israel

FAIRFIELD — This year’s Adolph and Ruth Schnurmacher Lecture in Judaic Studies at Fairfield University will feature David Elcott, PhD, who has traveled the world to help invigorate Jewish life and to promote Christian and Muslim understanding of Judaism.

His talk, “Blurred Vision: How Jews and Christians See Israel,” will focus on the different religious, symbolic and political perceptions that Jews and Christians have of Israel, and the importance of Israel to each. Dr Elcott’s lecture will be presented on Tuesday, November 28, at 7:30 pm, in the university’s Dolan School of Business Dining Room. The lecture is open to the public at no charge.

“God does not have only one blessing,” Dr Elcott once wrote. “As God’s agents, we must work to bring the blessing of peace to all – Palestinians and Israelis, Jews, Muslims and Christians alike. To do less is a sin for which we all will be held accountable.”

Dr Elcott has worked throughout his life to help other cultures understand the Jewish community. He also has assisted numerous religious communal organizations, social justice agencies, and international corporations to retool their missions and vision in response to new conditions and challenges of the 21st Century.

Recently he was named executive director of the Israel Policy Forum, a think-tank and advocacy organization committed to Israel’s security by promoting a policy of US support for a two-state solution. This organization advocates active American engagement in producing Israel-Arab peace.

Previously, Dr Elcott was the US director of Interreligious Affairs for the American Jewish Committee, an organization founded in 1906 by American Jews to safeguard and strengthen Jews and Jewish life worldwide.

Dr Elcott has advised political and religious leaders worldwide. He worked for four years overseeing DME Consulting, where he served in an advisory role to an array of non-profit organizations and major corporations. For 16 years prior to his time with DME, he was vice president of CLAL, the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, the leading educational and training institution in the American Jewish community.

He is the author of A Sacred Journey: The Jewish Quest for a Perfect World. He received a PhD in Political Psychology and Middle East Studies from Columbia University, and a BA in Political Science from University of California, Los Angeles, among other degrees.

Reservations are not necessary. Additional information is available by calling 203-254-4190; for directions to the university, visit Fairfield.edu.