Pave the Way Foundation sponsored a series of educational lectures by Rabbi Abraham Kiss and Rabbi Bennett Herman, Advisors to Pave the Way Foundation.
The program is entitled “Islam and Judaism – Closer Than Further Away.” Rabbi Abraham Kiss is an expert in the Qur’an, the New Testament, as well as the Hebrew Scriptures. The Rabbi speaks 10 languages, including Arabic. His early education in Morocco and Egypt was enlightening to all who attended, as he was able to speak first hand to the similarities of the two religions. One surprising comment was that the Muslims in fact follow Talmudic Law. He gave several examples of this, including the Muslim method of bowing during prayer which is biblical, and was the original form of worship in the Jewish temple. The use of a prayer rug, when prayer is instituted outside the temple, is actually Talmudic in origin, which prohibits bowing during prayer on bare stone outside the temple. In addition, the Mosque is devoid of all images and furniture, which is also Talmudic (in its origins) and followed strictly by Muslims.
If your Mosque, Church or Synagogue is interested in a lecture, please contact Pave the Way Foundation at office@ptwf.org.
These lectures are free of charge as a part of the ongoing mission of Pave the Way Foundation.
The Sufi Circle at Fordham University Lincoln Center, 113 W. 60th Street New York, NY 10023
Below are some of the photos from the lecture held at the Islamic Center of Long Island in Westbury New York on February 11, 2007 and the Sufi Circle lecture at Fordham University, Lincoln Center, New York on April 21, 2007
In our quest to increase tourism in the Holy Land and to Israel, we discovered that many Christian clergy were complaining about “abrupt” security measures taken at Ben Gurion Airport. Many expressed a negative sense when they underwent questioning at the airport, and felt somewhat violated when searched or questioned about their religious vestments. Certainly no one denies the necessity of strict security measures at Ben Gurion Airport, but the manner in which security personnel were treating Christian clergy needed to be addressed.
The Airport Authority, working in tandem with the Ministry of Tourism, understood this problem existed and was very happy to accept our offer to help. PTWF developed a “Manual of Etiquette” specifically designed to help educate airport personnel in these delicate matters. This informative book is now required reading, and it has been reported to PTWF that there is now a marked decrease in complaints.
PTWF wishes to compliment the Israeli Airport Authority for recognizing this problem and so quickly acting to eliminate it. Responding to such concerns is a very important factor in increasing tourism to the region. Tourism helps everyone in the Holy Land.
Pave the Way Foundation co-sponsored this exhibit, with the Center for Interreligious Understanding and the Museum of Jewish Heritage.
September 6, 2006 through February 23, 2007, the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City hosted an historic exhibition: “A Blessing to One Another: Pope John Paul II and the Jewish People.” Celebrating Pope John Paul II’s contribution to repairing and strengthening relationships between members of the Catholic and Jewish faiths, this informative and inspiring exhibit includes photos, video footage, documents and priceless artifacts. The exhibit opened to rave reviews in Cincinnati and Washington DC, serving as an opportunity for people of different faiths to come together and understand what Pope John Paul II did to improve Catholic/Jewish relations and to recognize all that can be done to carry forward his great mission – to increase understanding and tolerance between all religious groups.
“Baruch ha ba be Adoshem Adonai. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord”
The words of Rabbi Elio Toaf, Chief Rabbi of Rome, upon the occasion of welcoming Pope John Paul II to the Great Synagogue of Rome March 1986.
Opening speakers left to right: Gary Krupp, President of PTWF; Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Vatican Ambassador to the UN; Dr. Jerzy Kluger board member of PTWF and childhood friend of Pope John Paul II; Governor of the State of New York, George E. Pataki.
PTWF Board members Richard Kandel, Director; Elliot Hershberg, Chairman of the Board; Gary Krupp, President of Pave the Way Foundation (sponsor of the exhibit.)
“A Blessing to One Another, Pope John Paul and the Jewish People” was created and produced by Xavier University (Cincinnati), Hillel Jewish Student Center (Cincinnati), and the Shtetl Foundation in New York.
Pave the way is initiating a most important future project of international learning and empowerment in Birmingham, Alabama, the first International Children’s Conference on Religious Tolerance.
Pave the way Foundation worked with Reverend Richard Donahoe, Rector of the Cathedral of St. Paul in Birmingham, Alabama on this project. Father Donahoe was able to identify the availability of the Bodmer Papyrus, which is the oldest written version of the Gospels of St. John and St. Luke and contains the oldest written version of the Lord’s Prayer which was written sometime between 175 and 225 AD.
Pave the Way initiated contact between Fr. Donahoe with the Vatican Library. It was also through the efforts of Pave the Way that a donor was identified, Mr. Frank Hanna III of Atlanta, Georgia, who helped make available this historic acquisition for worldwide study. It remains in the care of the Vatican Library. Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, was instrumental in helping to realize this historical event.
Pave the Way Foundation is extremely pleased to have played a key role in The Bodmer Papyrus Project.
Pave the Way Foundation board members greet Bishop Raffaele Farina SBD just prior to the presentation of the Bodmer. From left to right: Dr. Rolando Clementoni KCSG, Gary and Meredith Krupp, Bishop Farina, Richard Kandel and Harry Epstein.
Pope Benedict XVI examines the papyrus.
Pope Benedict XVI and Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican Secretary of State receive Gary Krupp of PTWF at the presentation ceremony on January 22, 2007.
Video presentation of the Bodmer Papyrus to Pope Benedict XVI – January 2007.
