WHAT CAN A JEWISH COMMUNITY DO when a local symphony is presenting a program that could lead to antisemitism? Try to stop the program? Protest outside the church where it's being presented? Or, work with the Christian community to see if there's a different solution?
In 1995, when the Bach Festival in Eugene, Oregon, announced plans to perform St. John's Passion in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II, this was the quandary the local Jewish community faced. Because John's Gospel cites Jews as being responsible for putting Jesus to death, some Jewish people feared a rise in antisemitism in the community. And it's how they dealt with the possibility that's interesting.
They decided to approach local Christian ministers for guidance. Together, Jewish and Christian leaders in Eugene planned a Service of Reconciliation, giving the Christian community the opportunity to formally denounce antisemitism and publicly apologize for the atrocities perpetrated over the centuries through the Christian church. Over 300 people attended the service. "People were in tears," said organizer and senior minister of First Christian Church, Dan Bryant. It was a powerful service that was a springboard for better relations with the local Jewish community.
