Vatican City, Jan 17, 2011 / 18:10 pm
Pope Benedict met with prominent Israeli Rabbi Shlomo Riskin on Jan. 12, who updated the pontiff on the efforts of the Jewish community to support local Christians in the face of mounting tensions with Islamic militants.
Riskin, chief Rabbi of Efrat and chancellor of the Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding and Cooperation, briefed the Pope in a recent audience on the work the organization is doing in Israel.
“We are taking Your Holiness’ call to stand in solidarity with our Christian brothers and sisters in Israel and advocating on their behalf,” Riskin said.
Riskin added that local members of the Jewish faith are looking for ways to alleviate poverty within the Christian community, as well as “opportunities to dialogue on those areas where we must cooperate.”