The Center for Christian-Jewish Understanding (CCJU) of Sacred Heart University has sponsored a groundbreaking Institute for Seminarians and Rabbinical Students since 2000, introducing Jewish and Christian aspiring clergy to the questions, problems and opportunities they will encounter in Jewish-Christian relations.  Besides offering students a forum for interreligious dialogue, access to first-class speakers and materials and resources on Christian-Jewish understanding, the annual Institute marks the beginning of continuing professional relationships between future religious leaders of the Jewish and Christian faith communities of the United States. As the students begin their ministries, the CCJU has initiated a new program, Colleagues in Dialogue, to promote deepened dialogue and fruitful collaboration between the new religious leaders and scholars. On April 11-12, 2005, more than 30 participants from past Institutes gathered at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, for the first annual Colleagues in Dialogue conference and meeting.

The first session featured a discussion with Rabbi Irving (Yitz) Greenberg, a pioneer in Jewish-Christian relations and the author of the acclaimed new book, For the Sake of Heaven and Earth: The New Encounter between Judaism and Christianity. Rabbi Greenberg spoke on the range of Jewish theological responses to the Shoah, the concept of the Messiah in Judaism and Christianity, and the responsibility Jews and Christians share to work for peace and understanding in the world. Rabbi Greenberg fielded questions and comments from the participants, and encouraged them to pursue their questions in dialogue with one another.

Colleagues in Dialogue also featured a discussion with Rabbi Joseph H. Ehrenkranz, executive director of the CCJU; a joint scripture study led by Dr. David L. Coppola, associate executive director of the CCJU; visits to several places of worship and academic centers surrounding Union Theological Seminary including Riverside Church and Jewish Theological Seminary; and a meeting during which participants proposed ways to further Christian-Jewish understanding among their congregations in creative, collaborative initiatives. Colleagues in Dialogue will reconvene in 2006.        

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