"Becoming aware of the importance, for our faith, of the relation" with Hebraism and "expressing our gratitude to the Jewish community". With these words, father Jean Dujardin, of the National Catholic Service for Relations with Hebraism, explains the reasons for celebrating the "Day of revival of interest in Hebraism", held in France on Sunday 5th October. Promoted by such Catholic Service and by the Christians and Jews Commission of the Protestant Federation of France, the event takes place between the feast of Roche-Hachannah (which began yesterday and ends today) and Yom Kippur (9 October): "two exceptional moments in Jewish religious life", explain the organisers, inviting the Christian communities, for the sixth year on end, "to establish or strengthen bonds of friendship with the members of the Jewish communities, especially by sending them greetings cards". In some parishes, the devotees may sign posters that, at the end of the celebration, will be taken to the nearest synagogue as a token of friendship. Father Pierre Hoffmann, delegate for Relations with Hebraism of the diocese of Versailles, explains: "Without this network of friendly relations, all the work for the reconciliation of Jews and Christians will not be able to bear any real fruit".
