The CJDT Board delegates the responsibility of creating programming to volunteer-driven working committees. These committees are at the heart of the CJDT. It is through the hard work and dedication of these volunteers who help facilitate multi sector dialogue – not debate – that our work continues.
2026
International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2026
An Evening of remembrance and reflection
On this International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we gathered as people of faith and goodwill to remember the six million Jews who were murdered in the Shoah, along with the countless others whose lives were destroyed by hatred and indifference. Together, we honoured the survivors who have carried memory through courage and testimony, and we reaffirmed our shared responsibility to stand against antisemitism, racism and all forms of intolerance.
2025
Celebrating 50 Years of Dialogue
Giving thanks for our PAST …
Rejoicing in our PRESENT …
Looking with hope toward our FUTURE
As we rejoice in the gifts of encounter and dialogue, we invite you to join us in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the formal launch of the Christian-Jewish Dialogue of Toronto. Light Kosher Refreshments • No Admission Fee • All are warmly welcome at this event, but pre-registration is required. To register, please e-mail your name and contact information no later than October 13 to: CJDT50TH@gmail.com
2024
“Peace Is a Song We Share”: An Interfaith Celebration of Song & Book Launch
WITH Dr murray Watson
As one of the pioneers and architects of modern Jewish-Christian dialogue, the late Algerian-French-Israeli diplomat and scholar André Chouraqui (1917-2007) was an eyewitness to both the Second World War and the post-war transformation of the relationship among Jews, Christians and Muslims. His most lasting legacy, however, was his unique translation of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim scriptures, intended to help the followers of those three faiths to better understand each other, and to appreciate the many areas of commonality they share. In his recently-published book, Restoring the Gospels’ Jewish Voice, CJDT member Dr. Murray Watson introduces Chouraqui’s remarkable life and work to an English-speaking audience, highlighting how Chouraqui’s thoughtful translations of sacred scriptures serve as a bridge for mutual esteem and respectful collaboration toward a better, more peaceful world for all of us.
2022
Abrahamic Talks: Reconciliation in and through Abrahamic Traditions
With Sheikh Adkhali Al-Tamimi and Carolina Frimer
The first 2021-2022 Abrahamic Talks, exploring ways for faither leaders and youth to begin the process of reconciliation.
Peace-making in the Holy Land: An online conversation
With Sheikh Adkhali Al-Tamimi and Carolina Frimer
The CJDT Community celebrates the legacy of Barbara Boraks
Barbara Boraks served as Executive Director of the Christian-Jewish Dialogue of Toronto for many years. We wish to honour these years of dedicated and generous commitment to Christian-Jewish dialogue.
2021
The Compassionate Listening Project and its “Children of Abraham” initiative
With Producer Andrea Cohen
This webinar features Compassionate Listening, a technique of non-judgmental listening and deepening, non-adversarial questions. Listeners seek the truth of the person speaking, seeing through masks of hostility and fear to the sacredness of the individual. Listeners accept what others say as their perceptions, and validate the right to their own perceptions. Through this process, fear can be reduced, and participants will be better equipped to discern how to proceed with effective action.
We will view the film Children of Abraham, the story of twenty-two Jewish Americans who travelled to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. The film follows the Jewish participants as they visit with and listen to Israelis and Palestinians – from leaders to refugees, and seek to understand the complexities of the religious, political and human rights issues. This beautiful documentary produced by Andrea Cohen, introduces the Compassionate Listening reconciliation model, humanizing each Israeli and Palestinian portrayed. The film delivers a compelling message that conflict can be transformed through listening with compassion.
Equality in Scripture Interpretation
Moderated by Hector Acero Ferrer, With Rivka Campbell, Dr. Mary Philip (aka Joy) & Dr. Ingrid Mattson
Reflecting on the ways in which scriptures articulate the call to equality so needed in our world today.
About Resource Persons
Resource Persons:
Rivka Campbell, a Jew of Jamaican descent born and raised in Toronto, seeks to build community among Jews of Colour in Canada while opening dialogue among the mainstream Jewish community about the experience of Jews of Colour and Jewish Diversity. She is the co-founder of the group Jews of Colour – Canada and the sole Canadian recipient of the inaugural URJ’s JewV’Nation Fellowship. Rivka is a recognized speaker on Jewish Diversity and has been interviewed by CJN and other publications numerous times. Rivka is filming a documentary on Jewish Diversity and producing a podcast which will focus on diversity, Israel and Jewish topics. She is also the Executive Director at Beit Rayim Synagogue and is a board member of ADRABA – Toronto’s first 21st century Jewish high school.
Dr. Mary Philip (aka Joy) is associate professor of Lutheran Global Theology and Mission at Martin Luther University College. A native of India, she taught Zoology in India before obtaining her doctorate in theology. Passionate about justice and contextual theology, Dr. Philip brings together justice, context and theology and is dedicated to promoting contextually informed theological education. Her doctoral dissertation, “Can Humanization be Salvation: A Journey with the Musings of Juan Luis Segundo, Madathiparambil Mammen Thomas and Arundhati Roy,” is a dialogue between peoples and communities from different contexts on the basic question of what it means to be human.
Dr. Ingrid Mattson was born and raised in Canada, earning a BA (hons) in Philosophy and Fine Arts, then moved to the United States to study at the University of Chicago, earning a PhD in Near Eastern Language and Civilizations in 1999. From 1998 to 2012 she was Professor of Islamic Studies at Hartford Seminary in Connecticut where she developed and directed the first accredited graduate program for Muslim chaplains in North America and served as Director of the Macdonald Center for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations. Since 2012 she has held the London and Windsor Community Chair in Islamic Studies at Huron University College at Western University in London, Canada. From 2001-2010 Dr. Mattson served as vice-president, then as president of the Indiana-based Islamic Society of North America. In that position she established the Office of Interfaith and Community Engagement in Washington, DC, and facilitated new partnerships with other faith-based communities and civic organizations.
Conversations of the Heart
with the Sisters of Notre-Dame de Sion in Jerusalem
The Sisters of Notre-Dame de Sion have been engaged in Christian-Jewish Dialogue for over 50 years. Join us to hear about their evolving understanding of their charism (reason to be), and their ministry in the heart of Old Jerusalem, and extending around the world. Be inspired by their commitment to bridge-building, even in the most difficult times and places. This event is free, but advance registration is required.
2020
Abrahamic Communities Respond to Racism during COVID-19: The Injustice Within
with Sister Lucy Thorson, NDS, Jonathan Hamilton-Diablo
Laying foundations for peace in the Holy Land
A webinar organized by the Christian-Jewish Dialogue of Toronto (CJDT) in collaboration with Kids4Peace based in Jerusalem. Israeli and Palestinian teenagers were the resource speakers. They shared their experiences of intercultural friendships and peace-building initiatives