The Graymoor Ecumenical and Interreligious Institute (GEII)—a ministry of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement—invites the public and press to attend the inaugural New York City based Paul Wattson Lecture at Fordham University on Monday, October 20 at 6:00pm. This event will feature internationally renowned scholar Professor Susannah Heschel, the Eli Black Professor of Jewish Studies at Dartmouth College; with a response from Heather Miller Rubens, Executive Director of the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies. Also speaking at this event will be Fr. Emil Tomaskovic, SA, Minister General of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, and Dr. Aaron Hollander, Executive Director of GEII.
Prof. Heschel’s lecture, “The Faith of Others: The Inspiration of Interreligious Dialogue in Light of Nostra Aetate”, celebrates a milestone moment in the journey of ecumenical understanding. As the world grapples with division and polarization, this gathering highlights how interreligious dialogue remains a transformative force for peace, justice, and human dignity. Prof. Heschel, known globally for her groundbreaking work in Jewish-Christian relations and comparative theology, will offer insight into how Nostra Aetate—the Second Vatican Council’s landmark declaration on relations among religions—continues to inspire bridges of faith in a fractured age. 2025 marks the first time that the Wattson Lecture will be hosted by a university in New York. Two other Paul Wattson Lectures will take place this year, the second in Chicago at the Catholic Theological Union (CTU) on October 22 and the third in Rome, slated for December.
When: Monday, October 20 | 6:00–7:30 pm
Where: Fordham University—Lincoln Center, McNally Amphitheater (140 W 62nd Street, New York, NY)
Why: Marking 50 years of collaboration between the Society of the Atonement and the theological academy, 2025 is the first year the Paul Wattson Lecture is being hosted by a New York based university. The lecture advances GEII’s mission to foster ecumenical and interreligious understanding.
Speakers:
- Susannah Heschel, PhD, Eli Black Professor of Jewish Studies, Dartmouth College
- Heather Miller Rubens, Executive Director of the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies
- Fr. Emil Tomaskovic, SA, Minister General, Franciscan Friars of the Atonement
- Dr. Aaron Hollander, Executive Director, GEII
RSVP / Registration: Registration is required to attend in person or to view the livestream. Please reply to this email as soon as possible if you plan to attend or watch online.
Event details are available here: https://geii.org/event/the-faith-of-others-the-inspiration-of-interreligious-dialogue-in-light-of-nostra-aetate/
