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On June 22, 2025, Gakurin Seminary hosted a special lecture titled “World Religions－A Dialogue with Judaism,” welcoming Mr. Elias Szczytniski, Secretary General of the Latin American Council of Religious Leaders of Religions for Peace and a devoted Orthodox Jew. Mr. Szczytniski has been a prominent leader in advancing interfaith cooperation across Latin America, addressing global challenges such as environmental protection, poverty alleviation, and human rights from a faith-based perspective.
In his opening remarks, President Kyoichi Sugino described Mr. Szczytniski as “a person of unwavering faith and profound dedication to interreligious peacebuilding,” and warmly welcomed him, emphasizing the value of learning directly from someone deeply engaged in interfaith dialogue on the global stage.
The lecture began with a deeply personal narrative, tracing Mr. Szczytniski’s journey from growing up as a Jewish minority during Argentina’s military dictatorship to his early encounters with a Catholic nun committed to Jewish-Christian dialogue. He reflected on the influence of the Second Vatican Council’s Nostra Aetate and his current role in fostering religious cooperation throughout Latin America.
Mr. Szczytniski then offered a rich account of Jewish practice and ethics. At the heart of Judaism, he explained, lies the covenant at Mount Sinai—a sacred moment that binds freedom with responsibility. This ethical foundation is expressed through the observance of Shabbat and kashrut (dietary laws), both of which serve as spiritual disciplines in daily life.
He also described the sanctity of time in Judaism, the role of festivals, and the practices surrounding family purity. “Daily life itself,” he shared, “is a sacred space in which divine values are made manifest.”
In the second half of his talk, Mr. Szczytniski explored the history of Jewish persecution, the challenges of assimilation, the emergence of Zionism, and the continuing tensions faced by Jewish communities today. His insights into the resurgence of antisemitism and the moral imperative of dialogue were particularly compelling: “Dialogue is not mere tolerance; it is an honest engagement with memory, truth, and human dignity.”
Following the lecture, students engaged Mr. Szczytniski in a dynamic dialogue, asking fundamental questions such as “What is religion?” and “How should we live our faith?” The discussion was heartfelt and inspiring, reminding all present of the enduring value of cross-cultural and interfaith understanding.
In his closing remarks, President Sugino encouraged the seminarians with these words: “Religion does not only teach us what is good—it calls us to ask how we live together across our differences. The peace you long for, the hope you believe in—each step you take may be someone else’s salvation. Faith is a vow to live together. Let your vow become a light to the world.”
Mr. Szczytniski’s quiet wisdom and authentic testimony planted seeds in the hearts of Gakurin students—seeds that, with time and care, will blossom into lives dedicated to peace and shared humanity.
