Location: University of Dayton, Alumni Hall Room 101

Meeting Topic: Organization and Planning Meeting

Hosts: Felix and Erika Garfunkel

PRESENT: Felix Garfunkel, Chair, Presiding; Donna Bealer, Judith Bluestein, Bert Buby, Shirley Flacks, Erika Garfunkel, Lillian Gillespie, Agnes Hannahs, Jack Kelley, Eileen Moorman, Bill Rain, Ken Rosenzweig, Juanita Wehrle-Einhorn, Robert Wehrle-Einhorn, Bill Youngkin.

Felix called the meeting to order at about 7:50 PM.

Jack Kelley made a number of announcements. One of the announcements concerned the upcoming "book warming" on December 16 in honor of the publication of Jack’s book, Freedom in the Church. Jack stated that the book represents his life’s work and covers the issue of subsidiarity (known as decentralization in the business and organization field).

Rabbi Judith Bluestein delivered the prayer: in it, she mentioned that this is the first night of Hanukkah; she concluded with the recitation of the shehekiyanu, which is the prayer said by Jews on happy occasions, "Blessed art Thou O Lord our God, who has kept us in life and sustained us, and brought us to this happy moment."

Donna Bealer discussed the presentation on Islam which will be held tomorrow night at First Lutheran Church. Eileen announced that Sophie Rubenstein will soon be moving to Hawaii to live near one of her children. Sophie is a charter member of the Dialogue (from around 1970) and, with her deceased husband Harold, has been a stalwart of the Dialogue over the years. Agnes called for an expression of appreciation to the Garfunkels for hosting the meeting.

Bert delivered a report from the Officer Nominating Committee. The Committee is composed of Shirley, Bert, Felix, Ken, and Eileen. On behalf of the Committee, Bert nominated Lillian Gillespie to be the new Chair of the Dialogue. Lillian was elected by acclamation. In the coming weeks, the Officer Nominating Committee will consider the selection of additional officers and the distribution of duties among the officers. The official handover of duties to the new officers will occur in April of 2002.

The discussion then turned to ideas for future Dialogue programs. Shirley shared an idea about a meeting devoted to dialogue about Jews and Christians’ response to terrorism. Erika suggested that, in accord with the recommendations of Amy-Jill Levine, the Dialogue have a program in which Jews and Christians read and compare their impressions of the scripture together. Donna seconded this idea and read the relevant section from the minutes of Amy-Jill’s talk. Lillian suggested common faith-based initiatives as a possible topic. Jack suggested Walter Kasper as a possible speaker, noting that he has recently replaced Cardinal Edward Cassidy in his position as President of the Vatican Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews. Jack also offered to do a talk on the issue of subsidiarity. Agnes proposed a discussion of Jewish stereotypes in Shakespeare’s play, The Merchant of Venice. The attendees to the meeting agreed on the schedule of future programs that is included with these minutes.

Respectfully submitted,

Ken Rosenzweig, Secretary

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