by ICJS Newsroom

BALTIMORE—The Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies (ICJS) and Georgetown University Press have signed an exclusive series agreement to publish the Silber-Obrecht Lectures,  the premier international lecture in the field of Interreligious/Interfaith Studies.

The Silber-Obrecht Lecture, which aims to advance this developing field of academic inquiry, reflects that there are many modes of response to the reality of religious pluralism—theological, philosophical, historical, scriptural, ethical, legal, praxeological, and institutional—and these responses need thoughtful and reasoned inquiry. There is no other named, endowed lecture available to scholars that can serve to advance the field.  

Heather Miller Rubens, Ph.D., ICJS executive director and Roman Catholic Scholar,  will serve as series editor, in addition to contributing the introductory essay to each volume and to the series. The first volume will feature the inaugural lecture presented in Baltimore in April 2023  by Francis X. Clooney, S.J. of the Harvard Divinity School. The volume will include a response by Shubha Pathak, Ph.D., Ph.D., of American University.

“We are thrilled to have secured this leading academic press as a partner in this project. Their mission aligns with our own, as they value ‘academic excellence, intellectual inquiry, and service for the common good,’” Rubens said.

“This is a significant milestone for the Silber-Obrecht Lecture, as the project was conceived with the intent to publish the lectures,” Rubens said. “While lectures are vehicles to create and present new and important ideas, it is publishing that gives those ideas the staying power to advance the field for decades to come.”

Al Bertrand, who has directed Georgetown University Press since 2018, will oversee the series. 

“Georgetown University Press is committed to fostering interreligious dialogue and interfaith studies.  We are very proud to be partnering with ICJS on this important new lecture series,” Bertrand said. 

Contact:

John Rivera, Communications & Marketing Director
Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies (ICJS)
O (410) 494-7161 ext 2002; C (443) 604-2918
jrivera@icjs.org

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About ICJS

To dismantle religious bias and bigotry, the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies (ICJS) builds learning communities where religious difference becomes a powerful force for good. ICJS envisions an interreligious society in which dialogue replaces division, friendship overcomes fear, and education eradicates ignorance. Through educational programming, public-facing scholarship, and relationship-centered fellowships and workshops, ICJS models a new conversation in the public square that affirms religious diversity in the United States. ICJS is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. More information is at www.icjs.org.