2023 Conference Theme:
Celebrating Together: Exploring the Psalms in Our Two Traditions
Keynote Speakers
Congregation N’vay Shalom, Los Angeles
Catholic writer and Retreat leader, Las Cruces, NM
Download the 2024 Conference Invitation and Flyer
How did the Catholic-Jewish Women’s Conference of Los Angeles Begin?
In 1977, twelve years after various decrees of Vatican II released Catholics from proscriptions against engaging with members of other religions, and acknowledged the enduring covenant between God and the Jewish people, the first Catholic-Jewish Women’s Conference was held. A planning committee decided on the theme – Two Traditions in Dialogue – the keynote speaker – Rita Wiseman – and the following workshops:
1) Social Justice: Two traditions exploring the roots of social justice and how these traditions impact on the issues of today.
2) Religious Education: How do two traditions educate their children? How do they confront the modern world reality?
3) Respect Life: Two traditions examining respect for life from the cradle to the grave.
4) Alternative Styles of Being a Religious Woman: What does it mean to be a religious woman? What styles are emerging?
The Conference was held in Malibu on November 1, 1977.
The Conference has been held annually since 1977. The Annual Conference now features a distinguished speaker from each faith to address a topic of mutual interest, followed by a question and answer session. Conference attendees spend the afternoon in small group dialogue discussions on the same topic.
Themes and Speakers, Conferences 2013 to 2021
Themes:
2022: Justice, Racism and the Heart of God
2021: Unveiling the Sacred Through Storytelling
2020: Standing Together Six Feet Apart: Compassion, Courage & Community in Times of Crisis
2019: IN THE IMAGE OF GOD:Exploring the Feminine Aspect of the Divine
2018: Facing the Human Challenge of Forgiveness
2017: What Would Moses Teach? What Would Jesus Do? Healing Voices in a Time of Fear
2016: Our Planet in Peril : Repairing the Earth through the Lens of Faith
2015 (Day 1): A JUBILEE FOR NOSTRA AETATE
The Vatican II Revolution – The Ongoing Struggle for Jewish-Catholic Reconciliation – Monday, Nov. 9, 2015
2015 (Day 2): From Estrangement to Sisterhood – Walking Forward Together – Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015
2014: Keeping Sabbath : Finding Sacred Time in a 24/7-Connected Culture
Speakers:
2022: Rabbi Ruth Abusch-Magder, Alessandra Harris
2021:Michal Lemberger, Diana Macalintal
2020: Rabbi Susan Leider, Dr Kim Harris
2019: Rabbi Tirzah Firestone, Sandra M. Schneiders, IHM
2018: Rabbi Cantor Alison Wissot, Ellie Hidalgo
2017: Rabbi Laura Geller, Sr Kathleen Bryant
2016: Rabbi Sarah Bassin, Sr Toni Nash
2015 (Day 1): Dr Amy Jill Levine, Dr Mary Boys SNJM
2015 (Day 2): Holli Livitsky Ph.D, Dr Mary Boys SNJM
2014: Rabbi Sharon Brous, Sr Edith Prendegast, RSC
Here is a selection of Conference Themes from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s
● Rites of Passage
● Women Evolving in Our Two Traditions
● Our Search for Meaning
● When You Listen to Me, Do You Know What I’m Saying?
● First Century Separation, Twentieth Century Reconciliation
● Religious Authority in Changing Times: Catholic and Jewish Perspectives
● Judaism and Catholicism: Why We Stay with Our Traditions
● Doing What is Right: How do Our Religions Guide Us
● Women in the Bible: How Do They Speak to Us Today?
● Looking Back to Go Forward: Catholic and Jewish Visions of Justice
Please see our Archive page for Conference Documents from 2022 and prior years
Last Updated on September 23, 2024