Gibson film spurs discussions

Jewish and Catholic leaders want people who see 'The Passion' to give their views.
& lt;a href=mailto:wilkinson@vindy.com & gt;By D.A. WILKINSON & lt;/a & gt;
VINDICATOR RELIGION EDITOR
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mel Gibson's new movie, "The Passion of the Christ," is helping to promote more Jewish-Christian talks in the Mahoning Valley.
A few Jewish leaders nationally who have seen the movie contended it was anti-Semitic, a charge Gibson has denied. Local faith leaders haven't seen the movie set to open here Feb. 25, so they don't know what's in it.
But the two faiths have begun a series of events designed to promote more education and understanding:
UAbout 150 members of the Jewish community attended a meeting Monday evening at the Jewish Community Center to learn more about Christianity.
UA by-invitation meeting involving Jewish and Catholic leaders is scheduled for March 2 at the JCC.
UThe Rev. Joseph Fata of St. Luke Parish in Boardman will give a presentation on the movie at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Congregation Rodef Sholom's annual brotherhood service.
UPriests and rabbis involved in the local Jewish-Christian dialogue tentatively plan to see the movie Feb. 29 and discuss it.
Bonnie Deutch Burdman, director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, said there will be more follow-up events that as yet are unplanned.
Controversy over film
The movie shows the last hours of Jesus' life leading up to his crucifixion. Historically, some dramatic portrayals blamed the Jews for his death.
But Burdman said the movie raised awareness of a contemporary issue in the Jewish community.
"We don't understand the Gospels," Burdman said.
At Monday's discussion, one of the Christians who was present didn't realize the anti-Semitism of the old dramatic portrayals, she added.
The local Jewish community is being encouraged to see Gibson's movie as an aid to the dialogue process, Burdman said.
Rabbis Simeon Kolko of Beth Israel Temple Center in Warren and Frank Muller of Rodef Sholom Temple in Youngstown agreed the movie creates an opportunity for education and teaching. The Mahoning Valley's interfaith talks have been going on for more than 50 years.
Rabbi Kolko said he hoped that "we can talk with each other and not talk past each other."
Rabbi Muller said, "I hope it will bring us closer together to discuss with each other our different perspectives."
Bishop Thomas J. Tobin of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown issued the invitation for the March 2 discussion.
"Some members of our congregations are very interested in the impact of this movie," he said. "We have a good relationship with the Jewish and other religious communities, and we hope that talking about it together will give us the opportunity to discuss our feelings and perceptions."
The Rev. George J. Balasko, pastor of St. Ann Parish in East Liverpool, has been active in the Jewish-Christian dialogue for 30 years. He pointed out the Catholic church set out clear guidelines in 1988 that Jews were not to be blamed for Jesus' death.
Public feedback
Before the Jewish-Catholic meeting, both faiths want to hear from people who go to see the movie. People should send their name and faith affiliation to either Brian R. Corbin, executive director of Catholic Charities Services and the Office of Social Action at the diocese, or to Burdman. Both are coordinating the event.
Corbin can be reached at 144 W. Wood St., Youngstown 44503, or by e-mail at bcorbin@youngstowndiocese.org. Burdman can be reached at the JCRC, 505 Gypsy Lane, Youngstown 44504 or by e-mail at bdburdman1@juno.com.
& lt;a href=mailto:wilkinson@vindy.com & gt;wilkinson@vindy.com & lt;/a & gt;