New Understandings in Organized Religion : A letter to Pope Francis

Your Holiness, Pope Francis,

Your Interfaith message is a message of peace, friendliness and cooperation as in Zacharia 9,10.  We believe it is one of our purposes to advance peace, good and open relations in this world, not only between Jews and non-Jews, in accordance with the teaching of our sages: תלמידי חכמים מרבים שלום בעולם.

There are many formal representatives of the Jewish people. Here we only refer to a few specific issues:

1. New Understandings in Organized Religions
   All religions perpetually need study and clarification, since human understanding changes continuously. In today’s Global Village, [with increasingly strident anti-religious activity,] many of the changes cut across cultures and continents. We all have the purpose of increasing the awareness of God in the lives of our people. We all can benefit from the insights of others. It would therefor be greatly beneficial to all religions if the study and clarification within each religion was coordinated. Studying and working together will increase mutual respect and understanding. We suggest organizing an international and inter-religious network of Institutes for Study and Clarification of Religions.   
   An example of this can be learned from the mind-opening book “Strangers and Neighbors”, which I hereby present to you from the author, Professor Marie Poggi Johnson, in the original English and in the Italian translation.
2. Catholic – Protestant relations
   Thanks to God, we have a relationship with the “National Religious Broadcasters”, comprising hundreds of TV and Internet services, ALL OF THEM Protestant. The outgoing president of the organisation told me that his board of directors would not allow him to contact Catholic broadcasters. However, they do have a Rabbi address the annual conference held in February! I suggest that you write a letter of blessing to their annual conference, we will bring the letter to them, and this will create a new and important opening for raproachement and cooperation between the Catholic Church and Protestant organisations.

3. Uniting Christianity
   It was suggested that you invite the leaders of all Christian religions to Rome, to reduce inter-Christian friction and increase cooperation.  We suggest that Protestants would not appreciate coming to Rome. We suggest holding such a meeting – or series of meetings – in Jerusalem. I have spoken of this with the Deputy Foreign Minister and of course Israel will be happy to host such conferences.
4. Christian –Jewish Relations
   Most probably, the following information has not been presented to you: Most Jews, religious and not-so-religious, view the activity of the Vatican in trying to purchase in Jerusalem, for instance in the area of the Tomb of King David, very negatively, as in contradiction to the tenth commandment. It would benefit relations between our peoples if the Church would cease these efforts.

   We pray for your good health, stamina, and God-given inspiration; that your advisors, too, be blessed with the Grace of God, and your leadership of the Church will benefit the Church – and all of humanity.

   Shalom, Peace and Harmony,

   Rabbi Yeshayahu Hollander,
   Hillel says: Be of the disciples of Aaron–a lover of peace, a pursuer of peace, one who loves all people and draws them close to Torah. [Ethics of the Fathers 1,12]

   Rabbi Yeshayahu HaKohen Hollander, Foreign Minister of the Nascent Sanhedrin: Redactor of the “Easy-to-Read Talmud” Internet edition of Talmud Bavli with Rashi embedded. Previously teacher in Yeshivat Hesder. Learned at Yeshiva Poneviz and Kollel Valozin, and merited to study under Rabbi Yitzhak Kolitz z”l, Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. M.Sc. Theoretical Physics – Hebrew University. Licensed Patent Attorney. Was general manager of Heled Educational Experiences. Taught at the Ricanati School for Economics at Tel Aviv University. 

   Active in Interfaith activities since 2008