Book Launch Sacred Literature in Interfaith Contexts

Blessing of a New Dawn: Reorienting Christianity’s Relations to Judaism

9 June, 2026

We are deeply honoured to welcome Professor Mary C. Boys, Skinner & McAlpin Professor of Practical Theology at Union Theological Seminary, to present her book, Blessing of a New Dawn: Reorienting Christianity’s Relation to Judaism, in conversation with Chancellor Shuly Rubin Schwartz, Chancellor of Jewish Theological Seminary and Irving Lehrman Research Professor of American Jewish History.

About the book

Blessing of a New Dawn, Reorienting Christianity’s Relations to Judaism offers a “big picture” of developments in biblical and theological studies that offer a compelling case for Christians to reimagine their intertwined origins and complicated history with Jews. While directed principally to Christians desirous of revitalising their faith, the book also speaks to Jews interested in the momentous developments in the Christian theological posture vis-à-vis Judaism. The book makes accessible a wide range of scholarship in a readable manner, drawing on the author’s own knowledge and experience of teaching theology for nearly 50 years. Long involved in interreligious dialogue, Professor Mary C. Boys invites readers to enter into the process of healing a troubled relationship so as to live their faith more justly and vigorously.

About the author

Mary C. Boys is Skinner & McAlpin Professor of Practical Theology at Union Theological Seminary, where she also served as Academic Vice-President and Dean. Prior to her appointment at Union, she served as a professor at Boston College. She is the recipient of honorary doctorates from Hebrew College-Jewish Institute of Religion, The Catholic Theological Union, The Jewish Theological Seminary of America, Gratz College, and Misericordia University. A vowed member of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, she is the Chair of the Committee on Religion and Ethics at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Professor Boys has co-written, with Chancellor Shuly Rubin Schwartz, “Passover and Easter” in the Encyclopedia of Jewish-Christian Relations Online (DeGruyter), and “Rethinking ‘Settled Identities'” in Studies in Christian-Jewish Relations, vol.17 (1), 2022. More information is available here. Please scroll down to see the list of Professor Boys’ books below.

About Chancellor Shuly Rubin Schwartz

Shuly Rubin Schwartz, Irving Lehrman Research Professor of American Jewish History, a groundbreaking scholar of American Jewish history, and a visionary institutional leader, is the eighth chancellor of The Jewish Theological Seminary. She is the first woman to serve in this role since JTS was founded in 1886. More information at this link.

Date: 9 June, 2026

Time: 18:00-19:00 BST | 13:00-14:00 EDT | 10:00-11:00 PDT

Venue: online

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