Purpose Statement
Bat Kol Institute exists to foster Jewish Studies, defined as study of the Word
of God (Torah) within its Jewish milieu, using Jewish sources, ancient and modern, with the help of Jewish and Christian scholars. Our Reason for these studies is that Christianity is rooted in Judaism as a plant is rooted in the earth; it cannot live apart from the soil in which it is planted.
Our motto is: We will hear and we will do (Deut. 5:27).
Bat Kol Institute is a non-profit international association of Christian women and men who are committed to study the Word of God within its Jewish context and to incorporate these studies into their Christian self-understanding in a manner that respects the integrity of both traditions. The inspiration for its founding, Nostra Aetate, is given direction in the subsequent ecclesial documents, and in this encouragement of Pope John Paul II: "In the dialogue with other religions, the church gives pride of place to the Jewish people, ‘our elder brothers and sisters'... There is much that Christians and Jews share together, and it is vital now that Christians should learn more of that common heritage" (Rome, April 28, 1999).
Nostra Aetate #4 states, "Since the spiritual patrimony common to Christians and Jews is thus so great, this sacred synod wishes to foster and recommend that mutual understanding and respect which is the fruit above all of biblical and theological studies, and of brotherly dialogues." Bat Kol was formed as an academic institute where Christians can engage in biblical studies, and explore their own historical relationship with the Jewish tradition as a whole. Its program had been closely integrated into the Ratisbonne Institute in Jerusalem (since 1987), and now, as an independent institute, maintains much of the curriculum and the faculty that were connected with Ratisbonne.
Most essential concepts in the Christian creed grew at first in Judaic soil. Uprooted from that soil, these basic concepts cannot be perfectly understood (US National Council of Catholic Bishops). Christian theologians of recent years have increasingly recognized both the historical interdependence of Judaism and Christianity and the continued significance of Judaism for Christian theology. Bat Kol was founded as an institute where Christians can engage in biblical studies and explore their own historical relationship with the Jewish tradition as a whole. The necessity of these studies has been given added impetus by the signing of the accord of recognition between the Vatican and the State of Israel on 29 December 1993.
During July each year, Bat Kol Institute sponsors intense month-long graduate level courses in Jerusalem, accepted by the Gregorian University in Rome, the University of St. Michael's College in Toronto, and several other international universities.
