Jim and Marcia Rudin Spring 2016 Lecture Series
April 5–13, 2016

Dear Friends of the Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies:

I hope this note finds you well. As mentioned in the Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies January 2016 newsletter, Rabbi James Rudin and Marcia Rudin will visit Saint Leo University in the first two weeks of April to deliver a series of lectures for students, faculty, staff, and the general public. I am happy to announce that the Rudins will be with us from April 5 to April 13, 2016. As you are aware, Rabbi Rudin is senior interreligious advisor for the American Jewish Committee, and distinguished visiting professor of Religion and Judaica at Saint Leo University. Author Marcia Rudin is an expert on religious cults and edited and contributed to the anthology Cults on Campus: Continuing Challenge, an International Cult Education program book published by the American Family Foundation in 1991 and revised in 1996.

During their time at Saint Leo University, the Rudins will engage national and regional religious leaders concerning the future challenges in the Catholic-Jewish dialogue; lecture on numerous topics in religion, theology, politics, and history for hundreds of undergraduate students; and participate in and lead Saint Leo University’s annual model Seder meal, a great Saint Leo University tradition. The Rudins’ visit to campus will also include a Catholic-Jewish dialogue with Reverend Robert Lynch, bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, and Reverend Dennis McManus, director of the Jan Karski Institute for Holocaust Education at Georgetown University’s Center for Jewish Civilization, and the consultant for Jewish affairs for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Finally, the Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies is happy to host a book-signing event focused on Rabbi Rudin’s new book, Pillar of Fire: A Biography of Stephen Wise, published by Texas Tech University, 2015.

We hope you will join us for these and other events during the Rudins’ visit. You will find a complete schedule below. We would ask that you please RSVP by March 31 to Megan Orendorf at jennifer.orendorf@saintleo.edu or (352) 588-8401.

Respectfully,

Dr. Matthew Tapie
Director, Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies
Assistant Professor of Theology

“Jesus and the Judaism of His Time”

9:30 a.m. – 10:20 a.m.
Marcia Rudin

Student Community Center
Greenfelder-Denlinger Boardrooms

“Understanding Contemporary Judaism”

10:30 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.
Rabbi Jim Rudin

Student Community Center
 Greenfelder-Denlinger Boardrooms

“The Gifts and the Calling of God are Irrevocable”

11:30 a.m.
Luncheon
(panel discussion begins at 12:30)

Featuring:
Most Reverend Robert N. Lynch, Bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Reverend Dennis McManus, Consultant for Jewish Affairs of the USCCB, Rabbi James Rudin, Senior Interreligious Advisor to the American Jewish Committee, and Distinguished Visiting Professor of Religion and Judaica, Saint Leo University

Student Community Center
 Greenfelder-Denlinger Boardrooms
(Space is limited for this event, so please RSVP to reserve your spot.)

The Vatican has made the full text of the document available.

“The Concept of the Afterlife in Judaism”

11:00 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.
Marcia Rudin

Student Community Center
 Greenfelder-Denlinger Boardrooms

“Cults: Are They Still Around?”

4:00 p.m.
Marcia Rudin
TECO Hall

5:00 p.m.
Reception
Tapia Business Atrium
(Light snacks, wine & cheese)

“FDR and the Rabbi: How Stephen Wise, the Most Prominent Rabbi of the 20th century, Permanently Changed American Religion and Politics”

6:00 p.m.
Pillar of Fire book-signing event
with Rabbi Jim Rudin
TECO Hall

Model Seder for Students and Friends of Saint Leo University

6:00 p.m.
Co-led by Rabbi Jim Rudin and Rabbi Gary Klein

Student Community Center
 Greenfelder-Denlinger Boardrooms

RSVP by March 31 to Megan Orendorf at
jennifer.orendorf@saintleo.edu or (352) 588-8401.