The 27th Annual Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Jerusalem Lecture is scheduled to take place on Monday, March 4, 2024, at North Shore Congregation Israel in Glencoe, Illinois. The event, which will run from 7 – 8:15 p.m., will feature Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, delivering opening remarks and Rabbi Wendi Geffen serving as the emcee.

In a statement, Cardinal Cupich highlighted the significance of the lecture in promoting understanding and trust between Jewish and Catholic communities, stating, “Now, more than ever, we must spend time walking and demonstrating that only through dialogue and respect can we overcome conflict.”

The keynote speaker for the event will be Professor Mary C. Boys, SNJM, of Union Theological Seminary in New York. Boys, a renowned scholar in practical theology, will delve into the topic of early followers of Jesus losing sight of his Jewish identity and the historical implications of this loss for both Christians and Jews. She will also discuss the importance of rediscovering a Jewish understanding of Jesus in the present day.

Reflecting on the lecture series, which honors Cardinal Bernardin's visit to Israel and his commitment to fostering dialogue between different faith communities, the event aims to deepen the ongoing conversation between Jewish and Catholic groups on theological matters.

The lecture is open to the public, with both in-person and online attendance options available. Interested participants can register for the event through the North Shore Congregation Israel website.

The prestigious lecture series is made possible through the collaboration of various organizations, including The Archdiocese of Chicago, AJC-Chicago, Anti-Defamation League, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago Board of Rabbis, DePaul University, JUF/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, and the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership.

For media planning to cover the event, pre-registration is required. Journalists are advised to contact Hila Ratzabi, the director of Communications at NSCI, to secure their attendance.

For further details about the lecture and registration information, please visit the event page on the North Shore Congregation Israel's website or the Archdiocese of Chicago's official page.