CJD wishes you and your loved ones a happy, healthy and 

hopefully a peaceful New Year.

A new year. A new beginning. Are you one of the many of us, either formally or informally, who starts the new year with a resolution? The term “resolution” has different connotations for each of us. Some see a resolution as a chance for a change, a hope, or a desire of humanity to be better, do better and ultimately build a better future. Some see a resolution from a different perspective. Whatever your view of the meaning of resolution; how do we make our resolutions, our actions, our goals, attainable and integrate them into our lives?

CJD wants to hear from you! We are interested in learning about what helps you remain focused in the direction of your changes, hopes, decisions, or aims, for the new year. 

We will publish your suggestions throughout the year in this newsletter/eblast. If you wish to remain anonymous, please indicate so; otherwise we will print your first name and initial of your last name. 

Send to:         cjdofcolliercounty@gmail.com

Please join us for an interesting dialogue program

Rabbi Mark Gross of the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island and Fr. George Ratzmann, pastor of St. William Catholic Church will present their commentaries on the topic. Table discussions will follow the presentations and refreshments will be served. The program will be presented at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center, 4720 Pine Ridge Road

Sunday, January 21st at 2:30 PM

Presented by the Catholic Jewish Dialogue of Collier County

Please register below for this free program. Refreshments will be served.

Save the date for the next CJD program on Sunday, March 17 at 2:30 pm

The debate of interfaith unions has been around longer than Tevya and Fiddler on the Roof.

 We invite you to join us for a discussion on Sunday, March 17 at 2:30 pm on interfaith marriage: exploring the opportunities for cultural and spiritual growth. Can it actually strengthen religious beliefs and observance for both faiths? 

Clergy from both the Catholic and Jewish faiths will be joining us to explore the viewpoints of their respective religions, followed by a brief question and answer session. Registration begins soon.

Last month we introduced “Healers and Helpers”, local individuals who are working steadfastly and many times behind the scenes, to help heal our troubled world. These individual espouse and demonstrate how to build a better present and future thru their actions and examples. 

This month we recognize Marty Gauthier, Catholic co-chair of CJD. Marty has been involved with CJD in every aspect since its inception over 20 years ago. Marty’s leadership has guided CJD through the inevitable challenges and changes an organization faces while remaining true to CJD’s purpose and goal. That goal is to engage Catholics and Jews in understanding our long history and to advance the cause of mutual respect and appreciation of our differences as well as our commonalities. Marty understands that the foundation of this goal and it’s success comes from the friendship that develops between and among individuals who live, work, play, worship and grow together in their community. Marty espouses the understanding that thru the trust friendship builds, friends can discuss and disagree but never lose faith, hope or respect for one another.  

Florida Gulf Coast University’s (FGCU) Political Science and Public Administration Department in conjunction with their World Affairs Lecture Series is presenting two upcoming lectures by Professor Omer Bartov (Samuel Pisar Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Brown University).

Jan. 16 (Tues.) Student Session: "Genocide from Below: Rewriting the Holocaust as First-Person Local History" (3 pm, AB9 (Water School), Rm. 106.

Jan. 17 (Wed.) "Speaking of Genocide: The Holocaust, Israel-Palestine, and the War in Gaza since the October 7 Massacre" (6pm Edwards Hall, Rm. 112.

Both sessions are free and open to the public.  Please feel free to share this information with anyone you think might be interested in these talks.  More information is available at https://www.fgcu.edu/worldaffairslectures/ 

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Below is a link to an excellent article from America Magazine written by Rabbi Guy Alaluf entitled The Friendship Between Catholics and Jews Goes Deeper Than Diplomacy.

https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2023/11/29/catholics-jews-interfaith-israel-gaza-friendship-246605

America Magazine/Media is a forum for discussion of religion, society, politics and culture from a Catholic perspective. 

Guy Alaluf is an Israeli Orthodox rabbi and teacher who researches the relationship between Judaism and the Catholic Church. He leads the Daath and Tvuna (Knowledge and Understanding) Orthodox Jewish Community in Rosh HaAyin, Israel.

A notable statement from the article applies to the purpose and goals of CJD.

“Friendship allows for seeing things differently and not letting that difference threaten the depth of a bond that is religious, theological and spiritual.”

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We invite you to share this newsletter with family, friends and any group or organization that will facilitate active listening and thoughtful dialogue about this topic. 

Your constructive feedback is always welcomed.