Tena koutou sisters and brothers of the Jewish Community in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Chag Shavuot Sameach.

We write to acknowledge the Festival of Weeks and to wish you, our Jewish friends in Aotearoa New Zealand, every blessing during this holy time.

The tradition of remembering the Torah being given to the assembled  nation seems particularly poignant in this time when gathering is so  limited. We hope that you are able to feel connected to one another, and that there is opportunity to enjoy together the good food associated with Shavuot, as you enter into this special time of remembering and studying the gift of Torah.

Please, be aware that our committee members will be holding you in prayer during this time. We recall the many positive relationships we have with members of the Jewish community in this land. We look forward to the time when we are able to meet up again at meetings, as well as other shared efforts to effect positive interfaith relations, in support of the establishment of friendship and peace in our world.

Kind regards, Nga mihi nui,

Colin MacLeod (NZCBCIR chair)

New Zealand Catholic Bishops’ Committee for Interfaith Relations (NZCBCIR)

Committee Members: Michael Dooley, Adele Churchman, Mary Eastham, Teresa Fernandez, Paul
Flanagan (interim for Teresa), Matthew Gardner, Daniel Kleinsman, Christopher Longhurst, Beate Matthies and Colin MacLeod.

Ko te Piringa Whakawhanaungatanga o Nga Whakapono a te Huinga Pihopa Katorika o Aotearoa