As Christians re-enacted the Way of the Cross yesterday -- commemorating the Crucifixion -- and Jews began the celebration of Passover, people of both faiths were placing new emphasis on the Jewish heritage of Jesus.
It is a trend aimed at increasing tolerance and the sharing of values, but scholars warn it can lead to hurtful misunderstandings. Religious distinctions need to be understood as well as the historical links, they say.
One who feels this strongly is Rabbi Shira Lander, a chaplain on several Baltimore-area campuses, who last night presided at a Seder, the ritualistic meal of Passover, for Jewish students at the Johns Hopkins University.
"The advantage in the trend, and something I appreciate, is that Christians are reclaiming the significance of Jesus' Jewishness," Rabbi Lander said in an interview. "It's only in the 20th century that Christians have begun to come to terms with this."
But she also believes that religious and historical naivete is a danger. "It is a Christian pastor's responsibility to educate the congregation," she said. "Christians should not try to present a Passover Seder as an example of how Judaism should be fulfilled in Christianity." Rather, "an appreciation of Judaism" -- on its own terms -- can reinvigorate Christianity, she said.
St. John's Episcopal Church in Kingsville is an example of Christians seeking a deeper understanding of the Jewish faith.
Rabbi Lander was one of two Jewish speakers who took part in a recent lecture series at the church exploring non-Christian religions.
"It helped our people see what mainline people of other faiths are about, and how we can relate to them, love and understand them," said the Rev. David S. Remington, St. John's rector.
Last night, St. John's congregation observed an old Holy Week tradition by presenting an outdoor Passion Play, with a man costumed as Jesus carrying the cross, in the church parking lot on a wooded Belair Road hilltop overlooking Kingsville. It was a distinctly Christian observance.
But Thursday night, the Jewishness of Jesus was emphasized as more than 100 of St. John's members re-enacted the Last Supper -- what Father Remington called "the Christian Passover" -- at a meal served in a candle-lighted Parish Hall.
While the meal began with the lighting of a menorah -- "according to the ancient Jewish custom," in the words of a participant -- Father Remington made clear that this was not a Jewish Seder despite certain similarities, despite the messages of the Hebrew Bible and Jewish teachings shared by Christians.
