The Pharisees: What We Don’t Know Can Hurt Us

February 6, 2023
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. EST
Location: Georgetown Law Center Gewirz 12 Map

In Christian writings and homilies through the centuries, “Pharisee” has served as a label for one who is hypocritical, self-righteous, legalistic, or money-loving. Unfortunately, the image has fed—and continues to foment—negative perceptions of Jews in general and other persons or groups the speaker or writer despised. But who were the Pharisees, really?

This program explored what we know—and don’t know—about these teachers of the past who are also in some ways the predecessors of all forms of modern Judaism. The program started with an initial presentation by the co-editors and contributors to The Pharisees (2021), a multidisciplinary volume that addresses the question historically, theologically, and pastorally. This was followed by interactive roundtable discussions during which the panelists joined participants in exploring some practical suggestions for incorporating a nuanced understanding of the Pharisees in preaching, teaching, and catechesis.

This event was co-sponsored by Georgetown University's Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs, Office of Mission & Ministry, Georgetown Law, and Georgetown Law Campus Ministry.

Schedule

9:00 - 9:30 a.m. EST | Coffee and light continental breakfast

9:30 - 10:45 a.m. EST | Editor and Contributor Panel

Joseph Sievers, Pontifical Biblical Institute
Amy-Jill Levine, Hartford International University for Religion and Peace
Philip Cunningham, Saint Joseph’s University
Amy Uelmen (moderator), Georgetown University

10:45 - 11:00 a.m. EST | Break

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. EST | Moderated Roundtable Discussions

12:00 - 1:00 p.m. EST | Lunch

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William Treanor, dean of Georgetown Law, delivers a welcome address for the event.

Amy Uelmen, Berkley Center senior research fellow, introduces the speakers with prefatory remarks.

Joseph Sievers emphasizes the need to overcome old stereotypes towards the Pharisees.

Amy-Jill Levine discusses how Catholic teaching and preaching must change so as to not pass down historical denigration.

Phil Cunningham examines positive and negative references to the Pharisees in Catholic religion textbooks.

Moderated roundtable discussions explore how to live the Golden Rule in preaching, teaching, and catechesis.

Participants

Philip Cunningham Toggle

About Philip Cunningham

Philip A. Cunningham is a professor of theology and director of the Institute for Jewish-Catholic Relations at Saint Joseph’s University. He previously served as president of the International Council of Christians and Jews and on the Advisory Committee on Catholic-Jewish Relations for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. He holds a Ph.D. in religion and education from Boston College.

Philip Cunningham's Profile

Amy-Jill Levine Toggle

About Amy-Jill Levine

Amy-Jill Levine is the Rabbi Stanley M. Kessler Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at the Hartford International University for Religion and Peace, as well as University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies Emerita and Mary Jane Werthan Professor of Jewish Studies Emerita at Vanderbilt University. Levine lectures on the Bible, Christian-Jewish relations, and religion, gender, and sexuality. Levine holds a B.A. from Smith College and M.A. and Ph.D. from Duke University.

Amy-Jill Levine's Profile

Joseph Sievers Toggle

About Joseph Sievers

Rev. Dr. Joseph Sievers is an author and academic who served until 2023 as professor of Jewish history and literature of the Hellenistic Period at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, Italy. His books include the edited volume, The Pharisees (2021, with Amy-Jill Levine). In 2023 he was honored by the International Council of Christians and Jews (ICCJ) with the prestigious Seelisberg Prize for the major role of his scholarship and teaching in advancing the rapprochement between Jews and Christians.

Joseph Sievers's Profile

Amelia Uelmen Toggle

About Amelia Uelmen

Amelia ("Amy") Uelmen is the director for mission and ministry and a lecturer at Georgetown Law and a senior research fellow at Georgetown's Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs. Her seminar courses help students develop the communication skills they need to foster understanding across deep differences. Her scholarship focuses on how religious values might shed light on tort law, legal ethics and legal education, and how principles of dialogue might inform debates about religion in the public square. Previously Uelmen was the founding director of Fordham University's Institute on Religion, Law & Lawyer's Work (2001-2011) and an associate with law firm Arnold & Porter (1996-2000).

Amelia Uelmen's Profile