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Photo courtesy of the Righteous Persons Foundation Since becoming neighbors in 2002, Hebrew College and Andover Newton Theological School (ANTS) have exchanged much more than just passing glances. They've co-created the Interreligious Center on Public Life; conducted joint courses on biblical texts and preparing for the clergy; allowed their students to cross-register for classes; and spawned an interfaith student group, Journeys on the Hill, whose goal is to develop a more profound understanding of each others' faiths, foster a cooperative relationship and seek commonalties between their traditions.
On June 16, Steven Spielberg's Righteous Persons Foundation awarded a major grant to fund interfaith programs between the two institutions. Given to Hebrew College's Rabbinical School, the Foundation's $100,000 grant will train rabbis to work with religious leaders of other faiths in addressing various social, political and spiritual issues. "Many of today's most intense conflicts around the globe are fueled by religious intolerance—not only in Afghanistan and Iraq, but also in less dramatic ways in our own country," said Gordis upon learning of the new grant. "In a world beset by such intolerance, we need religious leaders to step forth who are both passionate advocates for their particular traditions and who believe that the search for God, truth and meaning can take many different forms." Among other things, the new funding will subsidize the development of four new courses, support for Journeys on the Hill, fellowships for students and the hiring of a part-time program director, adviser and two scholars. The Righteous Persons Foundation was established in 1994 by Academy Award-winning director Steven Spielberg. The Foundation has made more than $60 million in grants that strengthen or invigorate Jewish life in the United States. |
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Now this partnership, which Hebrew College President David Gordis calls "a real-life model of religious pluralism," has captured the imagination of a world-class funder.