Widow and Bishop honored: Institute at Siena named for rabbi

Founded in 1983, the Jewish-Christian Institute is the nation's oldest academic institute for the scholarly exploration of Jewish-Christian studies, according to Dr. Peter Zaas, its current director.

In addition, Rabbi Kieval's widow Esther received the Francis Medal from the Holy Name Province of Friars who staff Siena College, and Bishop Howard J. Hubbard received a citation from the Jewish Chautauqua Society for his own interfaith ministry.

Understanding

Father Bossman, former chair of Siena's religious studies department, recalled how Rabbi Kieval "lived and thought in a pluralistic society. Our [religious] traditions don't contradict; they complement each other. And as a Jew, he recognized complexity even within his own tradition."

Like Bishop Hubbard, Rabbi Kieval is one reason why "avenues of understanding have opened up" regarding interfaith dialogue, and "that spirit of inclusiveness and cooperation continues on a national and local level," Father Bossman said.

The Institute has proven to be "a living academic center where meaningful exchange can and does take place between thinking Christians and Jews. The free exchange of ideas is a necessity in our society, and the Hayyim Kieval Institute assures us of this."

Dialogue

* fostering understanding between Jews and Christians locally by inviting rabbis to attend his installation ceremony as bishop,

* instituting a series of interfaith pilgrimages to Israel and

* participating in "From Fear to Friendship," a service of atonement at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

Honored

"I believe Hayyim is with us, his presence is very strong among us all," she said. "We keep him alive in all that we stand for." She then led a Hebrew prayer: "Praise to you, Lord our God, who has kept us in life, preserved us and brought us to this very special day."

Irv Green, a national board member of the Jewish Chautauqua Society, presented a library of Judaica to the Hayyim Kieval Institute. Founded in 1893, the Society promotes interfaith understanding through education; citations also were given by Mr. Green to Rabbi Bloom and Bishop Hubbard.

Bishop's reflections

"I'm delighted that you are keeping alive the vision of Rabbi Kieval and that his beloved wife Esther is with us and is the recipient of the St. Francis Medal. This is certainly well deserved, because she was his partner in all things."

Bishop Hubbard also addressed the ongoing debate over the role Pope Pius XII played during the Holocaust and the need to assess all of the information available before forming opinions.

"I certainly hope we don't jump to anachronistic judgment with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight," he said. "The only way this can be resolved is by having an honest and candid debate about what conclusions can be drawn. Unless this whole matter is placed in the most objective and non-judgmental arena possible, the debate will do substantial harm to the progress between Christians and Jews that has evolved in the past 30 years."

(10-21-99) [[In-content Ad]]