2025-26 Lecture Series: "Faith, Theology, and Community."
Commemorating 60 years of the Ecumenical Theological Research Fraternity in Israel
Title: "Catholic Zionism - An Impossible Path?"
Lecturer: Fr. Dr. Antoine Lévy, OP (Tel Aviv University)
Date: 25.02.2026 20:00 IST via Zoom
Brief Overview: Fr. Dr. Antoine Lévy, OP explored one of the most sensitive and intellectually challenging questions in contemporary theology: the relationship between Catholic thought and Zionism.
Fr. Lévy writes:
“I aim to begin with a critical analysis of the notion of ‘Christian Zionism,’ which has very recently been the object of a formal condemnation by the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem (January 17, 2026). This will offer an opportunity to explore the question of Zionism’s theological justification—or rather the absence thereof—from the perspective of the Catholic Church. I will argue that the only genuine theological explanation for the Church’s overly cautious, if not openly hostile, stance on the subject lies in the immense difficulty of confronting the legacy of a bi‑millennial supersessionism and following it to its ultimate consequences.”
Fr. Antoine Lévy OP was born in Paris in 1962 and raised in a non‑religious Jewish family. He discovered the Christian faith during his studies in philosophy and Ancient Greek at the Sorbonne, the École Normale Supérieure (Saint‑Cloud), and Moscow State University. After his baptism into the Catholic Church, he entered the Dominican Order in 1990.
He completed a PhD in Dogmatics and Patristics at the University of Fribourg, later published as Le créé et l’incréé: Maxime le Confesseur et Thomas d’Aquin (Vrin, 2006). In 2004, he became Director of the Studium Catholicum in Helsinki, where he also taught theology and intellectual history at the University of Helsinki and the University of Eastern Finland. He participated for many years in the ecumenical dialogue between the Catholic and Lutheran Churches in the Nordic countries.
In 2010, together with Rabbi Mark Kinzer, he founded the Helsinki Consultation, an annual international gathering of theologians of Jewish descent. He has been a member of the Dialogue Group between the Catholic Church and Messianic Judaism since 2013 and serves on the theological commission of Yachad b’Yeshua, a network connecting Jewish believers in Christ across ecclesial traditions.
Fr. Lévy is the author of Jewish Church: A Catholic Approach to Messianic Judaism (Lexington, 2021) and numerous scholarly articles on Patristics and Jewish‑Christian relations. He is currently based in Jerusalem at the École Biblique et Archéologique Française and has recently completed a new PhD at Tel Aviv University on the “Marrano dimension” of Edith Stein’s metaphysics.
Download the invitation>>. Download the poster>>
To view the VIMEO click HERE
Password to view: Fra@Lec9
To read the text of this lecture click HERE
Lecturer: Fr. Dr. Antoine Lévy, OP (Tel Aviv University)
Date: 25.02.2026 20:00 IST via Zoom
Brief Overview: Fr. Dr. Antoine Lévy, OP explored one of the most sensitive and intellectually challenging questions in contemporary theology: the relationship between Catholic thought and Zionism.
Fr. Lévy writes:
“I aim to begin with a critical analysis of the notion of ‘Christian Zionism,’ which has very recently been the object of a formal condemnation by the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem (January 17, 2026). This will offer an opportunity to explore the question of Zionism’s theological justification—or rather the absence thereof—from the perspective of the Catholic Church. I will argue that the only genuine theological explanation for the Church’s overly cautious, if not openly hostile, stance on the subject lies in the immense difficulty of confronting the legacy of a bi‑millennial supersessionism and following it to its ultimate consequences.”
Fr. Antoine Lévy OP was born in Paris in 1962 and raised in a non‑religious Jewish family. He discovered the Christian faith during his studies in philosophy and Ancient Greek at the Sorbonne, the École Normale Supérieure (Saint‑Cloud), and Moscow State University. After his baptism into the Catholic Church, he entered the Dominican Order in 1990.
He completed a PhD in Dogmatics and Patristics at the University of Fribourg, later published as Le créé et l’incréé: Maxime le Confesseur et Thomas d’Aquin (Vrin, 2006). In 2004, he became Director of the Studium Catholicum in Helsinki, where he also taught theology and intellectual history at the University of Helsinki and the University of Eastern Finland. He participated for many years in the ecumenical dialogue between the Catholic and Lutheran Churches in the Nordic countries.
In 2010, together with Rabbi Mark Kinzer, he founded the Helsinki Consultation, an annual international gathering of theologians of Jewish descent. He has been a member of the Dialogue Group between the Catholic Church and Messianic Judaism since 2013 and serves on the theological commission of Yachad b’Yeshua, a network connecting Jewish believers in Christ across ecclesial traditions.
Fr. Lévy is the author of Jewish Church: A Catholic Approach to Messianic Judaism (Lexington, 2021) and numerous scholarly articles on Patristics and Jewish‑Christian relations. He is currently based in Jerusalem at the École Biblique et Archéologique Française and has recently completed a new PhD at Tel Aviv University on the “Marrano dimension” of Edith Stein’s metaphysics.
Download the invitation>>. Download the poster>>
To view the VIMEO click HERE
Password to view: Fra@Lec9
To read the text of this lecture click HERE
Title: "Accepting and Excepting: On Pluralism and Chosenness Out of the Sources of Judaism"
Lecturer: Professor Dr. Raphael Jospe, Ariel University, Retired
Date: 05.02.26 20:00 IST via ZOOM
Brief Overview: Prof. Raphael Jospe gave an overview of his monumental new book which is a masterful exploration of building relationship between the Jewish and Christian communities. This book impacts all of us. It promises to become a classic in Jewish philosophy, faith, and pluralism exploring new frontiers in inter-religious dialogue.
The Author and Presenter:
Prof. Raphael Jospe (PhD Brandeis University) recently retired after an impressive 50-year career teaching in universities and graduate schools, but continues to pursue his influential activism in promoting inter-religious dialogue, engagement, and cooperation. He is well-known as a treasured friend of the Ecumenical Research Fraternity in Israel for frequently showing up and participating in lectures. From time to time, he has made meaningful presentations for ETRFI events. Prof. Jospe has also taught courses on Jewish faith and experience in Catholic and Protestant theological schools and has lectured at the Vatican. He has authored or edited over 20 books and written dozens of articles. He served as the Editor of the Jewish philosophy division of the Encyclopaedia Judaica (2nd edition). He is a careful and meticulous scholar of the primary sources from the Bible and rabbinic literature along with the wide range of medieval thinkers like Saadia Gaon, Ramban, Maimonidies, and Judah Halevi also including insightful interaction with more contemporary figures like Martin Buber, Mordecai Kaplan, and Jonathan Sacks. Prof. Jospe and his wife reside in Jerusalem. They are the parents of 7 children with 26 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, so far.
The New Book:
Prof. Raphael Jospe gave a presentation on his newly published 515-page book, Accepting and Excepting: On Pluralism and Chosenness out of the Sources of Judaism.
How can religious people of conviction remain faithful to their own beliefs while demonstrating deep respect for people of other religions and denominations who profess profoundly different beliefs? As a leading contemporary Jewish philosopher and academic scholar, Prof. Jospe argues for pluralism and diversity out of the most revered traditional sources of Judaism. Progressive Catholic scholar Hans Küng correctly argued that without peace among the world’s religions, it becomes impossible to achieve meaningful peace between nations. Prof. Jospe tackles the challenges of building relationships through mutual respect within the dignity of diverse faith affirmations. Rabbi David Rosen rightly affirmed Jospe’s thesis in this brilliant and important book, “In our polarized world, challenged by moral relativism on the on hand and extremist religious ideologies on the other, Raphael Jospe offers a timely vision of deep religious commitment together with a moral clarity that genuinely respects and indeed celebrates diversity.” So on the one hand, Prof. Jospe accepts and affirms the concept for the Chosenness of the Jewish people and on the other, he fully embraces and values pluralism and diversity. He supports both approaches of upholding sincere faith convictions and promoting a pluralistic society from the Bible, rabbinic literature, medieval philosophy—as well as—from modern Jewish thinkers and religious leaders. The Chosen People in Jewish faith and practice for Prof. Jospe does not mean superiority but rather accountability and responsibility to becoming a better people, a light to the world.
Download the invitation>>. Download the poster>>
To receive a link to the lecture on VIMEO write to: [email protected]
Lecturer: Professor Dr. Raphael Jospe, Ariel University, Retired
Date: 05.02.26 20:00 IST via ZOOM
Brief Overview: Prof. Raphael Jospe gave an overview of his monumental new book which is a masterful exploration of building relationship between the Jewish and Christian communities. This book impacts all of us. It promises to become a classic in Jewish philosophy, faith, and pluralism exploring new frontiers in inter-religious dialogue.
The Author and Presenter:
Prof. Raphael Jospe (PhD Brandeis University) recently retired after an impressive 50-year career teaching in universities and graduate schools, but continues to pursue his influential activism in promoting inter-religious dialogue, engagement, and cooperation. He is well-known as a treasured friend of the Ecumenical Research Fraternity in Israel for frequently showing up and participating in lectures. From time to time, he has made meaningful presentations for ETRFI events. Prof. Jospe has also taught courses on Jewish faith and experience in Catholic and Protestant theological schools and has lectured at the Vatican. He has authored or edited over 20 books and written dozens of articles. He served as the Editor of the Jewish philosophy division of the Encyclopaedia Judaica (2nd edition). He is a careful and meticulous scholar of the primary sources from the Bible and rabbinic literature along with the wide range of medieval thinkers like Saadia Gaon, Ramban, Maimonidies, and Judah Halevi also including insightful interaction with more contemporary figures like Martin Buber, Mordecai Kaplan, and Jonathan Sacks. Prof. Jospe and his wife reside in Jerusalem. They are the parents of 7 children with 26 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, so far.
The New Book:
Prof. Raphael Jospe gave a presentation on his newly published 515-page book, Accepting and Excepting: On Pluralism and Chosenness out of the Sources of Judaism.
How can religious people of conviction remain faithful to their own beliefs while demonstrating deep respect for people of other religions and denominations who profess profoundly different beliefs? As a leading contemporary Jewish philosopher and academic scholar, Prof. Jospe argues for pluralism and diversity out of the most revered traditional sources of Judaism. Progressive Catholic scholar Hans Küng correctly argued that without peace among the world’s religions, it becomes impossible to achieve meaningful peace between nations. Prof. Jospe tackles the challenges of building relationships through mutual respect within the dignity of diverse faith affirmations. Rabbi David Rosen rightly affirmed Jospe’s thesis in this brilliant and important book, “In our polarized world, challenged by moral relativism on the on hand and extremist religious ideologies on the other, Raphael Jospe offers a timely vision of deep religious commitment together with a moral clarity that genuinely respects and indeed celebrates diversity.” So on the one hand, Prof. Jospe accepts and affirms the concept for the Chosenness of the Jewish people and on the other, he fully embraces and values pluralism and diversity. He supports both approaches of upholding sincere faith convictions and promoting a pluralistic society from the Bible, rabbinic literature, medieval philosophy—as well as—from modern Jewish thinkers and religious leaders. The Chosen People in Jewish faith and practice for Prof. Jospe does not mean superiority but rather accountability and responsibility to becoming a better people, a light to the world.
Download the invitation>>. Download the poster>>
To receive a link to the lecture on VIMEO write to: [email protected]
Title: "Sanctity of Place - Sanctity of Space"
Lecturer: The Very Reverend Dr. Geoffrey Ready, Director of the Orthodox Christian Studies at Trinity College within the University of Toronto
Introduction: Dr. Gary Vachicouras: "50 Years of Dialogue Between Orthodox Christianity and Judaism."
Date: 29.01.26 20:00 IST via ZOOM
Brief Overview: This was a special lecture following the 12th Academic Consultation between Judaism and Orthodox Christianity on Sanctity of Place – Sanctity of Space (Geneva, December 2025).
Dr. Gary Vachicouras, Convener, highlighted the significance of Orthodox Christian–Jewish dialogue since its inauguration by Metropolitan Damaskinos. The Third Academic Consultation in Athens (1993) was published by the Fraternity in Immanuel (https://www.etrfi.info/issue.php?i=26) edited by Malcolm Lowe in collaboration with Gary Vachicouras.
Fr. Ready, a distinguished academic in the field of Biblical Studies and Liturgy, writes about his lecture:
“The presentation explores the theme of sacred space through a close reading of Genesis 28:10-19 (Jacob's Ladder), employing a distinctive approach to Christian-Jewish textual engagement. Rather than placing a text from the Tanakh alongside a New Testament passage as respective "Jewish" and "Christian" sacred texts, this study positions the Genesis narrative as the core sacred text shared by both traditions. Jewish midrashic sources and Christian texts—including the New Testament (John 1:51), patristic writings, and Orthodox liturgical traditions—are then read as parallel commentary traditions, both offering midrashic extensions of the foundational Scriptural text. This methodological choice reflects the Orthodox Christian understanding that the texts known variously as Tanakh, Hebrew Bible, or Old Testament remain the foundational Scriptures, whilst the New Testament functions as authoritative commentary on what the apostles and early Church simply called ‘the Scriptures.’
Originally developed for the 12th Academic Consultation between Judaism and Orthodox Christianity in Geneva, the presentation offered both the textual analysis itself and theological reflection on the hermeneutical insights that emerge from this approach to shared text study—particularly how it reframes questions of continuity, transformation, and the distinctive yet complementary ways both traditions engage their common scriptural inheritance.”
To download the invitation click HERE. To download the poster click HERE.
To receive a link to the lecture on VIMEO write to: [email protected]
Lecturer: The Very Reverend Dr. Geoffrey Ready, Director of the Orthodox Christian Studies at Trinity College within the University of Toronto
Introduction: Dr. Gary Vachicouras: "50 Years of Dialogue Between Orthodox Christianity and Judaism."
Date: 29.01.26 20:00 IST via ZOOM
Brief Overview: This was a special lecture following the 12th Academic Consultation between Judaism and Orthodox Christianity on Sanctity of Place – Sanctity of Space (Geneva, December 2025).
Dr. Gary Vachicouras, Convener, highlighted the significance of Orthodox Christian–Jewish dialogue since its inauguration by Metropolitan Damaskinos. The Third Academic Consultation in Athens (1993) was published by the Fraternity in Immanuel (https://www.etrfi.info/issue.php?i=26) edited by Malcolm Lowe in collaboration with Gary Vachicouras.
Fr. Ready, a distinguished academic in the field of Biblical Studies and Liturgy, writes about his lecture:
“The presentation explores the theme of sacred space through a close reading of Genesis 28:10-19 (Jacob's Ladder), employing a distinctive approach to Christian-Jewish textual engagement. Rather than placing a text from the Tanakh alongside a New Testament passage as respective "Jewish" and "Christian" sacred texts, this study positions the Genesis narrative as the core sacred text shared by both traditions. Jewish midrashic sources and Christian texts—including the New Testament (John 1:51), patristic writings, and Orthodox liturgical traditions—are then read as parallel commentary traditions, both offering midrashic extensions of the foundational Scriptural text. This methodological choice reflects the Orthodox Christian understanding that the texts known variously as Tanakh, Hebrew Bible, or Old Testament remain the foundational Scriptures, whilst the New Testament functions as authoritative commentary on what the apostles and early Church simply called ‘the Scriptures.’
Originally developed for the 12th Academic Consultation between Judaism and Orthodox Christianity in Geneva, the presentation offered both the textual analysis itself and theological reflection on the hermeneutical insights that emerge from this approach to shared text study—particularly how it reframes questions of continuity, transformation, and the distinctive yet complementary ways both traditions engage their common scriptural inheritance.”
To download the invitation click HERE. To download the poster click HERE.
To receive a link to the lecture on VIMEO write to: [email protected]
Title: "Consumer Kabbalah: What Jewish Mysticism Has Meant to the Man and Woman on the Street"
Lecturer: Rabbi Ytizchok Adlerstein, Jerusalem
Date: 18.12.25 20:00 IST via ZOOM
Brief Overview: Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein is a distinguished Orthodox Jewish friend of the Ecumenical Fraternity. His enduring relationship with the Fraternity reflects a deep commitment to dialogue and cooperation across religious traditions.
For many years, Rabbi Yitzchok served as Director of Interfaith Affairs at the Simon Wiesenthal Center. In this role, he dedicated himself to building bridges between Jewish communities and other faith traditions, advancing tolerance, and combating antisemitism.
In addition, Rabbi Adlerstein has long held the position of Adjunct Chair in Jewish Law at Loyola Law School, where he has taught Jewish legal tradition and engaged students in a formal academic setting.
Rabbi Yitzchok’s lecture explored the expansion of Kabbalah. Traditionally, Kabbalah was studied only by select scholars and spiritual elites. Rabbi Yitzchok examined how this profound mysticism eventually spread beyond small circles of cognoscenti. Central to this development was the school of thought pioneered by Rabbi Isaac Luria (the Ari, 16th century), who introduced powerful mystical concepts such as tikkun olam (repairing the world), the cosmic drama of divine emanations, and the role of human action in restoring spiritual harmony.
These ideas resonated deeply with everyday Jewish practice. Rather than remaining esoteric, Lurianic Kabbalah influenced prayer, rituals, and ethical behavior like the emphasis on kavanah (intention) in prayer, mystical interpretations of Sabbath observance, and many other dimensions of Jewish life.
Rabbi Yitzchok’s extensive scholarly and rabbinic experiences make him uniquely positioned to demonstrate the wealth of Jewish mystical thought.
To download the invitation click HERE. To download the poster click HERE.
To receive a link to the lecture on VIMEO write to: [email protected]
Lecturer: Rabbi Ytizchok Adlerstein, Jerusalem
Date: 18.12.25 20:00 IST via ZOOM
Brief Overview: Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein is a distinguished Orthodox Jewish friend of the Ecumenical Fraternity. His enduring relationship with the Fraternity reflects a deep commitment to dialogue and cooperation across religious traditions.
For many years, Rabbi Yitzchok served as Director of Interfaith Affairs at the Simon Wiesenthal Center. In this role, he dedicated himself to building bridges between Jewish communities and other faith traditions, advancing tolerance, and combating antisemitism.
In addition, Rabbi Adlerstein has long held the position of Adjunct Chair in Jewish Law at Loyola Law School, where he has taught Jewish legal tradition and engaged students in a formal academic setting.
Rabbi Yitzchok’s lecture explored the expansion of Kabbalah. Traditionally, Kabbalah was studied only by select scholars and spiritual elites. Rabbi Yitzchok examined how this profound mysticism eventually spread beyond small circles of cognoscenti. Central to this development was the school of thought pioneered by Rabbi Isaac Luria (the Ari, 16th century), who introduced powerful mystical concepts such as tikkun olam (repairing the world), the cosmic drama of divine emanations, and the role of human action in restoring spiritual harmony.
These ideas resonated deeply with everyday Jewish practice. Rather than remaining esoteric, Lurianic Kabbalah influenced prayer, rituals, and ethical behavior like the emphasis on kavanah (intention) in prayer, mystical interpretations of Sabbath observance, and many other dimensions of Jewish life.
Rabbi Yitzchok’s extensive scholarly and rabbinic experiences make him uniquely positioned to demonstrate the wealth of Jewish mystical thought.
To download the invitation click HERE. To download the poster click HERE.
To receive a link to the lecture on VIMEO write to: [email protected]
Title: "Some Jewish Roots of Christian Prayers in the Newer Testament with Special Emphasis on the Paternoster: The Sacred Name, the Divine Will, and the Kingdom of God"
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Brad H. Young, Professor Emeritus Oral Roberts University
Date: 26.11.25 20:00 IST via ZOOM
Brief Overview: As the lecturer shares: “Christian prayers in the Newer Testament have deep roots in Jewish soil during the Second Temple Period. Familiar and much-loved prayers of the Jewish people, the Kaddish, the Amidah, the Sanctification of the Divine name, and the Shema —as well as— earlier Jewish Prayer formulations from the Dead Sea Scrolls and other Sacred Textual Traditions give fresh meaning and application to the prayers of the early Christians in the Newer Testament. The associative and comparative approach for the study of sacred liturgy and prayers within their historical environment promises to deepen awareness and understanding within both faith communities. Concise, powerful, to-the-point—the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples to pray is much better understood in the light of Jewish faith and experience. The authentic Jewish setting in life connects Jesus to his people, their faith experience, and their community concerns. Jewish prayers, worship, and practical life experience breathe fresh meaning into the time-worn words of the Lord’s Prayer. The first-century perspective of Jesus’ teachings on the kingdom pervades the application of the prayer in daily life.”
Dr. Brad H. Young is the serving President of the Ecumenical Theological Research Fraternity in Israel. He is lead translator of the Hebrew Heritage Bible Newer Testament (2021) translation and commentary project. He is the emeritus professor of Judaic Christian Studies in Biblical Literature at the Graduate School of Theology, Oral Roberts University. He is the author of widely read books, Jesus the Jewish Theologian, Paul the Jewish Theologian, The Parables: Jewish Interpretation and Christian Tradition, and Meet the Rabbis. Brad received his PhD in the Comparative Religions Department from the Hebrew University in 1986. Paulist Press published an updated version of Brad’s doctorate, Jesus and His Jewish Parables Rediscovering the Roots of Jesus’ Teachings (1989) in their Theological Enquiries series in Studies in Contemporary Biblical and Theological Problems.
To download the invitation click HERE. To download the poster click HERE.
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Brad H. Young, Professor Emeritus Oral Roberts University
Date: 26.11.25 20:00 IST via ZOOM
Brief Overview: As the lecturer shares: “Christian prayers in the Newer Testament have deep roots in Jewish soil during the Second Temple Period. Familiar and much-loved prayers of the Jewish people, the Kaddish, the Amidah, the Sanctification of the Divine name, and the Shema —as well as— earlier Jewish Prayer formulations from the Dead Sea Scrolls and other Sacred Textual Traditions give fresh meaning and application to the prayers of the early Christians in the Newer Testament. The associative and comparative approach for the study of sacred liturgy and prayers within their historical environment promises to deepen awareness and understanding within both faith communities. Concise, powerful, to-the-point—the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples to pray is much better understood in the light of Jewish faith and experience. The authentic Jewish setting in life connects Jesus to his people, their faith experience, and their community concerns. Jewish prayers, worship, and practical life experience breathe fresh meaning into the time-worn words of the Lord’s Prayer. The first-century perspective of Jesus’ teachings on the kingdom pervades the application of the prayer in daily life.”
Dr. Brad H. Young is the serving President of the Ecumenical Theological Research Fraternity in Israel. He is lead translator of the Hebrew Heritage Bible Newer Testament (2021) translation and commentary project. He is the emeritus professor of Judaic Christian Studies in Biblical Literature at the Graduate School of Theology, Oral Roberts University. He is the author of widely read books, Jesus the Jewish Theologian, Paul the Jewish Theologian, The Parables: Jewish Interpretation and Christian Tradition, and Meet the Rabbis. Brad received his PhD in the Comparative Religions Department from the Hebrew University in 1986. Paulist Press published an updated version of Brad’s doctorate, Jesus and His Jewish Parables Rediscovering the Roots of Jesus’ Teachings (1989) in their Theological Enquiries series in Studies in Contemporary Biblical and Theological Problems.
To download the invitation click HERE. To download the poster click HERE.
Title: "Israel Between Temporal Realities: Reassessing Biblical Zionism in the Wake of the October 7 War"
Lecturer: Dr. Andre Villeneuve
Date:29.10.25 via Zoom
Brief Overview: Dr. André Villeneuve is a Catholic theologian, biblical scholar, Associate Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Languages at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, and a friend of the Ecumenical Fraternity since his student days in Jerusalem in early 2000.
Dr. Villeneuve received his Ph.D. from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 2013, writing his dissertation on the topic of nuptial symbolism in the New Testament and in ancient Jewish writings. He also completed a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology (S.T.B.) at the Salesian Pontifical University (2014), and a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture (S.S.L.) with the Pontifical Biblical Commission in Rome (2019). In 2009, he spent a semester at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome as recipient of the Brenninkmeijer-Werhahn Fellowship offered by the Cardinal Bea Centre for Judaic Studies. He previously obtained an M.A. in Theology and Catechetics from Franciscan University of Steubenville (2005), a Mag. Art. in Jazz Saxophone from the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz, Austria (1998), and a B. Com. in Management Science from the University of Ottawa (1992).
A convert from agnosticism, Dr. Villeneuve’s journey has taken him from jazz saxophone studies in Austria to humanitarian work in Croatia, worship leadership in Tel Aviv, and catechesis in Jerusalem. He is the author of Divine Marriage from Eden to the End of Days and Nuptial Symbolism in Second Temple Writings (2025) and serves on the board of the Association of Hebrew Catholics.
His research focuses on nuptial symbolism in the Bible and the Jewish roots of the Catholic faith.
He is a scholar whose life and work bridge Scripture, tradition, reconciliation, and Israel-Church relations. (www.catholicsforisrael.com).
To download the invitation click HERE. To download the poster click HERE.
Lecturer: Dr. Andre Villeneuve
Date:29.10.25 via Zoom
Brief Overview: Dr. André Villeneuve is a Catholic theologian, biblical scholar, Associate Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Languages at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, and a friend of the Ecumenical Fraternity since his student days in Jerusalem in early 2000.
Dr. Villeneuve received his Ph.D. from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 2013, writing his dissertation on the topic of nuptial symbolism in the New Testament and in ancient Jewish writings. He also completed a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology (S.T.B.) at the Salesian Pontifical University (2014), and a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture (S.S.L.) with the Pontifical Biblical Commission in Rome (2019). In 2009, he spent a semester at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome as recipient of the Brenninkmeijer-Werhahn Fellowship offered by the Cardinal Bea Centre for Judaic Studies. He previously obtained an M.A. in Theology and Catechetics from Franciscan University of Steubenville (2005), a Mag. Art. in Jazz Saxophone from the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz, Austria (1998), and a B. Com. in Management Science from the University of Ottawa (1992).
A convert from agnosticism, Dr. Villeneuve’s journey has taken him from jazz saxophone studies in Austria to humanitarian work in Croatia, worship leadership in Tel Aviv, and catechesis in Jerusalem. He is the author of Divine Marriage from Eden to the End of Days and Nuptial Symbolism in Second Temple Writings (2025) and serves on the board of the Association of Hebrew Catholics.
His research focuses on nuptial symbolism in the Bible and the Jewish roots of the Catholic faith.
He is a scholar whose life and work bridge Scripture, tradition, reconciliation, and Israel-Church relations. (www.catholicsforisrael.com).
To download the invitation click HERE. To download the poster click HERE.
To receive a link to the lectures on VIMEO write to: [email protected]
