Jewish Christian Muslim Association of Australia (JCMA)

06/10/2023

The Faith Communities Council of Victoria newsletter for October 2023 is now available. Click below to browse the articles and view upcoming events and holy days.

https://www.faithvictoria.org.au/index.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=archive&task=view&mailid=891&key=nfcAX6UI&subid=279-pjSfhewUP60T46&tmpl=component&auid=69092

06/10/2023

The Abraham Conference 2023 bringing Jews, Christians and Muslims together to discuss contemporary issues of concern for the members of the three religions and for the wider society. https://bit.ly/3F4Sluj
Christian-Muslim Relations Abraham Conference

2023 Abraham Conference
The Abraham Conference plays an important role in bringing Jews, Christians and Muslims together to discuss contemporary issues of concern for the members of the three religions and for the wider society. https://bit.ly/3F4Sluj
Christian-Muslim Relations Abraham Conference

29/09/2023

Intercultural Sukkot Peace Party’ This coming Mon 2 October 2023. Evening of music, Kosher and Halal food at East Melbourne Synagogue to celebrate the festival of Sukkot with honoured guest Dr Lois Peeler AM and Uncle Ron Murray with his didgeridoo.

Brought to you by Catalyst Enterprises in partnership with JCMA and CCJ (Council of Christians & Jews).

Date: Monday 2nd October 2023,
Time: 6.30pm for 7pm start.
Venue: East Melbourne Synagogue, 488 Albert St, East Melbourne.
Book here: https://events.humanitix.com/intercultural-sukkot-peace....

‘Intercultural Sukkot Peace Party’ - Mon 2 October 2023.

Evening of music, Kosher and Halal food at East Melbourne Synagogue to celebrate the festival of Sukkot with honoured guest Dr Lois Peeler AM and Uncle Ron Murray with his didgeridoo. Brought to you by Catalyst Enterprises in partnership with JCMA and CCJ (Council of Christians & Jews).

Date: Monday 2nd October 2023,
Time: 6.30pm for 7pm start.
Venue: East Melbourne Synagogue, 488 Albert St, East Melbourne.
Book here: https://events.humanitix.com/intercultural-sukkot-peace-party.

22/09/2023

‘Intercultural Sukkot Peace Party’ - Mon 2 October 2023.

Evening of music, Kosher and Halal food at East Melbourne Synagogue to celebrate the festival of Sukkot with honoured guest Dr Lois Peeler AM and Uncle Ron Murray with his didgeridoo. Brought to you by Catalyst Enterprises in partnership with JCMA and CCJ (Council of Christians & Jews).

Date: Monday 2nd October 2023,
Time: 6.30pm for 7pm start.
Venue: East Melbourne Synagogue, 488 Albert St, East Melbourne.
Book here: https://events.humanitix.com/intercultural-sukkot-peace-party.

14/09/2023

Shanah Tova. We wish all our Jewish friends a happy, peaceful and prosperous New Year.

Jewish communities will be celebrating the high holidays over the coming weeks starting with Rosh Hashanah which starts at sunset today, Friday, September 15 and ends at nightfall on Sunday, September 17.

This special festival marks the start of the Jewish New Year. It is customary to reflect on the previous 12 months and traditional customs include blowing of the shofar (a rams’ horn), attending religious services and sharing festive meals with family and friends.

23/08/2023

JCMA STATEMENT - 23rd August 2023
Pray For Peace In Jaranwala, East Pakistan & Manipur, Northeast India

The Jewish Christian Muslim Association of Australia (JCMA) notes with sadness and deep concern the recent events at Jaranwala, East Pakistan and in Manipur, Northeast India, where churches have been burnt and desecrated and the loss of life.

The JCMA reminds all of the importance of holy sites and places of worship to the peoples of the world, the need for such sites to be treated with sanctity, and worshippers to be protected from harm.

We note the power of religion as a force for good, with a special ability to recognise and respect each other. We abhor violence committed against worshippers and places of worship, and emphasise that there can no justification for such acts.

We pray together for the end of conflict, and for peace on earth based upon mutual respect, justice, tolerance and inclusiveness.

27/06/2023

Together, We Can Create Waves Of Positive Change - Make A Tax Deductable Donation To Support JCMA.

Alarming rises in incidents of racism and heightened levels of hate speech fuelled by the heated public debate and uncertainty around the Voice referendum our work is needed more than ever.

- Continuing to build strong and enduring interfaith relationships based on mutual respect and understanding.

- Continuing to work with school leadership teams teachers and students to create more culturally safe and inclusive schools where everyone feels valued and they belong.

As a registered harm prevention charity with DGR status your donations are tax-deductable. With only a few days remaining before June 30, now is the time to seize the moment with a tax deductible donation to JCMA. Help build the foundations that create a more socially cohesive and prosperous Australia.

Go to our website to make a donation today
https://jcma.org.au/donation/ or call 0400 211 221.

04/05/2023

A great example of what's possible...... building a community to create understanding through both interfaith and intrafaith dialogue.

08/04/2023

Christians from around the world gather for worship today on Easter Sunday. Also known as Pascha or Resurrection Sunday, Easter is the final day of a weeklong commemoration of the story of Jesus’ final days in the city of Jerusalem leading up to his crucifixion and resurrection.

Christians hold many views on Jesus’ resurrection – in this article a theologian explains differing views among Baptists.

(The Conversation) — Christians have engaged in passionate debates over the meaning of the resurrection. Baptists may be distinct in that they believe an external religious authority cannot enforce views on such matters.

06/04/2023

The Global Prayer Rug Design Project aims to highlight Islam’s diversity in US and Latin America

Mustafa Dustin Craun wants to create a conversation around family, place and belonging, asking: 'If you could design a prayer rug that reflects the place that you live, what would that look like?'

The Global Prayer Rug Project is an international competition and local initiative aimed at showcasing innovative prayer rug designs from the U.S. and around the world. Prayer rugs are used by to complete their daily prayers. To learn more about the project click the news link.

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(RNS) — Mustafa Dustin Craun wants to create a conversation around family, place and belonging, asking: 'If you could design a prayer rug that reflects the place that you live, what would that look like?'

06/04/2023

Have a Happy, Blessed And Holy Easter!

The Celebration Of Easter & Holy Week

Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus from the tomb on the third day after his crucifixion. Easter is the fulfilled prophecy of the Messiah who would be persecuted, die for our sins, and rise on the third day (Isaiah 53). Remembering the resurrection of Jesus is a way to renew daily hope that we have victory over sin. According to the New Testament, Easter is three days after the death of Jesus on the cross.

Easter follows a period of fasting called Lent, in which many churches set aside time for repentance and remembrance. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Good Friday, the day of Jesus' crucifixion. The 40 day period was established by Pope Gregory 1 using the 40-day pattern of Israel, Moses, Elijah, and Jesus' time in the wilderness.

The week leading up to Easter is called The Holy Week.

Holy Week or "Passion Week", includes Palm Sunday (the day Jesus entered Jerusalem and was celebrated), Maundy Thursday (the "Last Supper" where Jesus met with his disciples to observe Passover), and Good Friday (when Jesus would be crucified on the cross).

Easter is a very significant date within Christianity and is the foundation of the Christian faith. Jesus, the Son of God, fulfilled prophecy and through his death, has given the gift of eternal life in heaven to those who believe in his death and resurrection. Read the entire Biblical account of Resurrection Day in Matthew 28, Mark 16, and Luke 24 and more Easter Bible verses at BibleStudyTools.com. (ref: https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/undertanding-the-history-and-symbols-of-easter-1256039.html)

04/04/2023

To our Jewish Friends and Families 'Chag Pesach Sameach'

Celebrating Passover

Passover 2023 will be celebrated from April 5 to April 13. In many Reform Jewish communities, Passover is celebrated for seven days, not eight as the more traditional Jewish communities—including both Orthodox and Conservative communities— who celebrate for eight days.

Family and friends gather together after nightfall on the first and second nights of the holiday for the high point of the festival observance, the Seder. During the Seder, which means “order” in Hebrew, the experience of the Exodus is told in story, song, prayer, and the tasting of symbolic foods. Seder meals include four cups of wine, eating matzah and bitter herbs, and retelling the story of the Exodus.

What Is Passover?

The holiday of Pesach, or Passover, is an annual weeklong festival commemorating the emancipation of Jewish peoples from slavery (in ancient Egypt). The Hebrew name, Pesach, means “to passover” because the plague in Egypt that killed all first-borns passed over the Israelites’ homes, sparing the lives of their children.

For more information on the Jewish celebrations for Passover click here: https://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/default_cdo/jewish/Passover-2023-Pesach.ht