by Bryan Bender
Daily Lobo
Jews and Christians are on a very similar path in their pursuit of "the one true God," said Moshe Aumann, Consul-General at Israel's embassy in Washington, D.C., Thursday night.
Aumann, whose new book, Conflict and Connection: The Jewish-Christian-Israeli Triangle, details the relationship between the two religions and the steps needed to build a mutually beneficial reality, was the topic of a lecture at the Hillel House, UNM's Jewish community center.
The religious sects, he said, are both looking at religious texts such as the Old Testament and seeing the prophecies of the Jewish state coming true.
This type of discussion is nothing new at the Hillel House.
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Eric Kohen, co-chairman of the Hillel program, said its goal is to create better public and student understanding of political and religious issues while creating a community open to all.
The intent is not mainly religious but to provide a convening point of discussion. People of any background and religion are welcome at the house, he said.
Hillel's organizers strive to maintain an open atmosphere to provide a meeting place for UNM's many cultures.
"We want people to have an instant connection and find a common ground when they come here," Kohen said.
He said he believes since coming to UNM, the Hillel House has helped him to learn about Judaism and the issues surrounding it.
The Aaron David Bram Hillel House is part of the world's largest Jewish campus organizations with the intent of creating" a foundation for Jewish campus life," according the group's Web site.
Kohen said Hillel organizers try to invite guest speakers to campus on a regular basis to create a neutral environment for political and religious discussion.
A few weeks ago, they sponsored a guest speaker Dorothy Noar, an Israeli Peace Activist. Noar spoke on behalf of the Arab/Jewish Peace Alliance in hopes to end Israel's occupation of the lands where Palestinians live.
Every month the house welcomes students to attend the Shabbat dinner to celebrate the Jewish faith. Also, during the winter break, five student members are visiting Israel free of charge sponsored by the Birthright Israel Organization.
Shawn Price, a UNM junior and a member of the house, said he learned of the opportunity through Hillel and how the visit, "helps you to reconnect to Judaism and other faiths."
An overtly religious atmosphere is not the house's intent, but instead to create an environment for students to relax from their studies by watching television or a place to interact and meet new people with similar interests, he said.
"Overall, students are taking a more active role in politics and Hillel International have done a lot to learn and be proud of Judaism," Kohen said.
