Chaplain elected at Christian-Jewish Dialogue

The Rev. Dr. Jim Leatch has been elected interim chair of the Christian-Jewish Dialogue of Toronto.

Dr. Leatch is the chaplain of Royal St. George’s College, an Anglican-affiliated independent school for boys in Toronto. He is also a deacon at St. Olave, Swansea and a postulant for priestly ministry in the Diocese of Toronto.

Dr. Leatch was elected in July and will stay in the role until at least December, when a permanent chair will be chosen. If he is re-elected, he will serve a three-year term. “I’m happy and honoured to serve,” he says. “If someone else is elected, I’m happy to give them my full support.”

The Christian-Jewish Dialogue of Toronto (CJDT) was founded in 1976 to promote a dialogue of respect between the Jewish and Christian communities in Toronto. The forum was the brainchild of the late Rev. Canon Roland de Corneille, a priest of the Diocese of Toronto. Its members include representatives of the Anglican, Evangelical Lutheran, Roman Catholic and United churches, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, and the Toronto Board of Rabbis.

The CJDT fosters understanding between Christians and Jews through webinars, lectures, celebratory gatherings and the provision of resources. This year, for example, it hosted a lecture by Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, an American scholar, on the biblical roots of antisemitism. It also co-hosted an evening at Temple Har Zion synagogue in Thornhill that featured a book launch about the life of interfaith pioneer Andre Chouraqui and a performance by the choirs of the synagogue and local churches.

The CJDT also releases statements. It has condemned recent acts of vandalism and threats against Toronto synagogues. It denounced the Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel, and has voiced its support for the people of Ukraine.

Due to Hamas’s attack on Israel and the ongoing war, Dr. Leatch says it has been a challenging year for CJDT. The Anglican Church of Canada and Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada’s adoption of Resolution A160 at their joint general assembly in July 2023 caused friction.

The resolution, which reaffirmed the commitment of the churches to the pursuit of peace with justice for all in Palestine and Israel, was seen by some members of CJDT as pro-Palestinian and critical of Israel, he says.

“Our meetings reflected the anguish of those with relatives who were killed or kidnapped in the Oct. 7 attack or who have connections to members of the Israeli Defence Forces involved in subsequent military operations. It was, and is, very personal,” he says.

Dr. Leatch has been a member of CJDT for two and a half years and says it has been an enriching experience. “It has been eye-opening and thought enlarging to see things not just from a Jewish perspective but from the perspective of other Christian denominations,” he says. “There are lots of things that synagogues have to deal with that we don’t have to. We don’t have to have security and metal detectors at all our churches. When I go to visit a rabbi, I have to phone ahead and be registered when I get there. The doors will be locked and there will be a security system to go through. Since last Oct. 7, the Jewish community in Canada has been dealing with a very high level of hostility and persecution. It’s important for us to remember that that’s going on and it’s part of their daily life.”

Although it can be difficult and uncomfortable at times, reaching out to those of different faiths is critically important, he says. “I think the world right now, politically and religiously, has become very polarized. There are a lot of people who not only believe that they are right, but they absolutely believe in their righteousness, and that people who agree with them are their friends and those who don’t are their enemies. I think we need to get back to the middle ground, where someone with a different perspective is just that – a person with a different perspective. The via media – the middle way – can be a potential bridge for extreme perspectives on things. That is something, as an Anglican, I may be able to bring to my role.”

He says starting conversations with those of different faiths doesn’t have to be hard. “Start with people you know, either at work or school or those who live on your street. Focus on what we have in common. We love our children and families. We value our faith. We care about what happens in the world. Start with someone you know and ask to be invited into their synagogue, church, mosque or temple. Tell them you’re curious about it. My experience is that they will be more than willing to welcome you.”