This holiday season brings about the meeting of two religious traditions. In 2019 Christmas Day, a traditionally Christian holiday, falls in the middle of the eight-day Jewish celebration of Hanukkah. This overlap, according to Rabbi Albert I. Slomovitz, Ph.D., provides for a creative and memorable way in which to acknowledge the similarities between the two faiths. Rabbi Slomovitz is the founder of the Jewish-Christian Discovery Center, a nonprofit committed to educating both Jews and Christians about the countless faith-based connections they share. Ultimately, the nonprofit aims to increase respectful, open-minded interfaith communications while also decreasing anti-Semitism. Rabbi Slomovitz’ innovative approach to fostering understanding and kindness was noted by philanthropist Bernie Marcus, who through the Marcus Foundation, invested in the organization with a $100,000 grant.
One of the key similarities between the Christian gospel story of Jesus of Nazareth and Jewish tradition is found in the very observance of Hanukkah. Jesus was Jewish by birth and raised in all of the teachings and traditions of the Jewish faith, and he observed Hanukkah every year. Notable as well is the link between the menorah, where one candle is lit every day of Hanukkah, and the advent wreath used in the Christian church to symbolize the anticipation of the birth of the Savior. Both holidays celebrate the miracle of the Almighty changing the course of history. These are just a few of many connections between the faiths elucidated by Rabbi Slomovitz in his book, A New Look at Rabbi Jesus: Jews and Christians Finally Reconnected. The Rabbi also hosts a podcast, Rabbi Jesus My Brother, where he discusses various interfaith topics and questions from his unique perspective.
In the spirit of solidarity and our shared human experience, Rabbi Slomovitz is proposing a new holiday tradition: The J Star Project. Simply put, he is asking both Christian and Jewish families alike to actively acknowledge the connections between Christmas and Hanukkah, Christianity and Judaism, by taking part in a simple and effective act of symbolism. Christians are being called to place a Star of David on their Christmas trees this year, and Jews are being asked to light the menorah candle on the eighth day of Hanukkah in honor of a righteous Gentile who historically has been an ally of the Jewish people. The purpose here is for our young children, our adolescents, and all of us to learn more about people who follow different traditions but who are ultimately our “spiritual siblings” at heart.
In the wake of the Oct. 27, 2018 terrorist attack on the Tree of Life – Or L’Simcha Congregation in Pittsburgh and other acts of domestic terrorism perpetrated against vulnerable populations, Rabbi Slomovitz notes that most of our efforts to decrease violence are reactive. In other words, we highlight the importance of anti-hate messaging and the teachings of acceptance and pacifism only after life-altering damage has already been done. The J Star Project is a unique and powerful movement in its obviously proactive, preemptive, and preventative approach against anti-Semitism and other forms of discrimination and hate.
The Rabbi is motivated in this inaugural year of the J Star Project to partner with Christian churches, both Catholic and Protestant, and Jewish synagogues throughout the greater Atlanta area to raise awareness and promote interfaith conversations through the use of this simple but effective visual medium. Already he has fostered meaningful relationships with clergy and parishioners at the Catholic Church of St. Ann in Marietta along with several other churches that bring curiosity, open minds, and the promotion of peace to this movement. Rabbi Slomovitz and his Christian brothers invite Eastcobbers to take this, small, visual step of hanging a Jewish Star on your Christmas tree or light the Menorah on the 8th day of Hanukkah and encourage others to take this viral to open the doors for vital discussions with our children about peoples who are different (but not so different) from our own. To learn more visit www.therabbijesus.com.
Rabbi
