Hindu-Jewish Relations - The Work Ahead

The lecture builds on my two published volumes: The Jewish Encounter with Hinduism and Same God, Other god: Judaism, Hinduism and the Problem of Idolatry, published a year ago at Palgrave Macmillan. The lecture will begin by summarizing the main findings: lack of reciprocity; tension between official dialogue and dialogue on the ground; framing the challenges for issue of idolatry. It will then examine next steps in advancing the relationship. Next steps will be broken into three categories: research, education and public dialougue. The crucial work in terms of next steps does not lie in the area of research. the panel will accordingly feature diverse perspectives on the centrality, or lack thereof, of research to the relationship, and as such will provide an opportunity to reflect on the role of the Academy in advancing interfaith relationship. By contrast, religious leadership, on both sides, should be made aware of the challenges and stakes. I will provide focus on the history of attempts at engaging religious leadership and what steps can be taken to advance a dialogue of leaders and what should be the focus areas of such dialogue.