Upholding Religious Freedom and Respect for All

Dave Moskovitz

Joint Statement from New Zealand Faith Communities

As leaders and representatives of diverse religious communities across Aotearoa New Zealand, we are united in our concern about the messages promoted during the public protest held on June 21, 2025 by Brian Tamaki and his followers against immigration and the spread of non-Christian religions in New Zealand.

The right to protest is a cornerstone of democracy. However, we are saddened to see rhetoric that appeared to diminish the place of some faiths in New Zealand’s multicultural society. Our religious traditions may differ, but we all share a common commitment to compassion, dignity, and the peaceful coexistence of communities.

New Zealand’s strength lies in its diversity, including its religious diversity. The freedom to worship, or not to worship, is a value we all cherish. We believe that no one faith should be positioned as having greater legitimacy than others in the life of our nation.

We encourage dialogue rather than division, and understanding rather than suspicion. In times of tension, it is especially important that we come together in the spirit of unity and mutual respect.

We remain committed to working together across our faiths to uphold these values and to support the inclusive, respectful society that we all seek to build.

Endorsed by:

New Zealand Jewish Council
NZ Central Sikh Association
Hindu Foundation NZ
Somaliland Society in New Zealand Incorporated
Wellington Abrahamic Council

A Call for Deepening Interreligious Relationships

Dave Moskovitz

The International Council of Christians and Jews recently issued a Pledge to Rededicating Ourselves to Deepening Interfaith Relationships.

The Wellington Abrahamic Council of Jews, Christians, and Muslims is a member of the ICCJ, and fully supports the pledge.

The pledge calls for supporters to:

  • Be blessings for one another and therefore for the world,
  • Support one another in our covenantal responsibilities to God,
  • Share each other’s joys and sorrows,
  • Actively oppose religious prejudice, including especially antisemitism, Islamophobia, or anti-Christianity, and bear truthful witness for each other when misrepresented or defamed,
  • Review our religious teachings, rituals, and practices to address any elements that caricature or teach disrespect for each other, or that in any way racialize or dehumanize anyone,
  • Continue and deepen the joint study of subjects that urgently need attention, such as: Christianity as more of a credal religion in comparison to Jewish self-understanding as a peoplehood, the land and state of Israel in Jewish and Christian spirituality, the meaning of the Jewish identity of Jesus for Jews and Christians today, the ongoing implications of the Shoah for Christians and for Jews, their bonds in the scriptural Word of God, their traditions of ethical reasoning, and how they can speak and act together for the good of humanity and creation,
  • Seek to develop deeper interreligious friendships with Muslims, and
  • Better discern the divine Presence in each other’s communities, traditions, and rituals.

We encourage our members and friends to support the pledge. To do so, please visit the Pledge page on the ICCJ web site, endorse it, and add your voice to the chorus of people working for a more harmonious world.

Endorse the pledge at:
https://conference.iccj.org/index.php?id=10

United in Sorrow, again: a prayer vigil

Dave Moskovitz

The Wellington Abrahamic Council, The Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, and the Religious Diversity Centre invite you to a Prayer Vigil.

In October 2023, we ran a vigil to unite in sorrow for the peoples of the Holy Land engulfed in war. Sadly, the situation is ongoing, and we thought it was time to join together again.

NEW DATE: Thursday 15 May, 6:30pm
Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, 2 Hill Street, Wellington

The event will provide a sacred space for those impacted by violence, to grieve their personal loss, and to give public expression to the grief for all united alongside them. There will be periods of shared silence, music, and meditative reflection.

As this is a peaceful gathering, no flags, banners, symbols or patches, please.

You can download a poster to share with your friends and colleagues.

We hope to see you there.

Jews, Christians, and Muslims stand together against attacks on churches

Dave Moskovitz

The Wellington Abrahamic Council of Jews, Christians, and Muslims were greatly saddened by the news of arson attacks at four churches in Masterton yesterday morning. Our prayers go out for our Christian sisters and brothers at the Anglican Church Of The Epiphany, St Patrick’s Catholic Church Masterton, Masterton Baptist Church and Equippers Church Masterton. We are here for you.

Jews, Christians, and Muslims stand together against religious extremism, as we have said in our October 2023 statement rejecting all forms of hate and bigotry. Our diverse religions present different pathways to spiritual enlightenment. The destruction of places of worship is an attack on all of us. Let us work together for an Aotearoa New Zealand where we can all peacefully practice our religions.

Women at the Helm: Reimagining Religious Leadership

Dave Moskovitz

Our sister organisation, the Rossing Center for Education and Dialogue in Jerusalem is holding an online webinar discussing women in religious leadership in Israel and Palestine.

You can watch a recording of the event right here:

WhatWomen at the Helm: Reimagining Religious Leadership
WhenTuesday 25 February 2025, 7am NZDT
WhereOnline, direct from Israel and Palestine… register at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Yhb1Lo1mRBuMirvtDhfk8g
Speakers
Rev. Sally Azar (Christian)
The first Palestinian woman ordained to the priesthood in the Holy Land
Qadi Hana Mansour Khatib (Muslim)
The first woman appointed qadi (judge) in the Sharia court of the State of Israel
Rabbi Naaman Kelman (Jewish)
The first woman ordained as rabbi in Israel
ModeratorDr Sarah Bernstein
Executive Director, Rossing Center for Education and Dialogue

The early start in NZ will be worth it! We hope to see you there.

Sarah and Hajjar / Hagar – Our Abrahamic Matriarchs (with audio)

Dave Moskovitz
WhatSarah and Hajjar / Hagar – Our Abrahamic Matriarchs
WhenWednesday 20 November, 7:00 pm
WhereSt Joseph’s Church
152 Brougham Street
Wellington
ModeratorRev Jenny Chalmers
Jenny was the founding Christian Co-Chair of the Wellington Abrahamic Council, an Anglican priest, and until recently the Vicar General of the Waiapu Diocese.

Jenny’s intro: download, or listen here:
Speakers
Claire Massey (Jewish)
Claire is former Chair of the Wellington Jewish Community Centre and current Chair of its advisory board, a professor emerita of Business, and currently teaches yoga.

Claire’s speech: download, or listen here:
Rota Stone (Christian)
Rota is an ordained priest in the Anglican Church, and an ordained pastor in the Latvian Lutheran Church. She recently received a PhD on early Jewish-Christian relations.

Rota’s speech: download, or listen here:
Rehanna Ali (Muslim)
Rehanna is a founding member of the Islamic Women’s Council of NZ. She has a background in Law, including Islamic Shariah, and has spent the last two decades working in the field of international development.

Rehanna’s speech: download, or listen here:

Abraham is the esteemed patriarch of Jews and Muslims, and the spiritual father of Christians. Our matriarchs, Sarah and Hajjar / Hagar play a pivotal role in the unfolding stories of all three Abrahamic religions.

This evening we will focus on the vital roles of these women, Abraham’s wives, the mothers of his children, and the female co-founders of our three Abrahamic religions.

Our three speakers – each one learned and distinguished members of their religious communities – will introduce the stories from their traditions and explore their past and contemporary meanings.

Free or Koha tickets for this event are essential, and are available at:
https://events.humanitix.com/sarah-and-hajjar

If you’d like to help spread the word about this event, please download our poster, and distribute it at your church, masjid, or synagogue.

Note that all attendees to our events are expected to uphold and respect our Abrahamic Council Values.

Young People in Faith

Dave Moskovitz

Come join us for an evening of dialogue, connection, and exploration.

Everyone is welcome to attend, but tickets (free or koha) are essential. You can get your tickets at:
https://events.humanitix.com/abrahamic-young-people-in-faith

WhatYoung People in Faith
WhenWednesday 13 November, 6:00pm
WhereConnolly Hall, 10 Guildford Tce, Thorndon
A light supper will be provided.
Speakers
Ahmet Ozturk (Muslim)
Manager Islamic Sciences and Research Academy, Sydney.
Abi Buchhalter (Jewish)
Youth Counsellor
Darlene Adrian (Christian)
Environmental consultant

Religions globally, and especially the Abrahamic religions face unprecedented challenges in the 2020’s. For our religions to survive and thrive, we need to be meaningful, relevant, and attractive to people of all ages. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all face similar challenges in this respect.

In this session, we’ll explore these issues, including questions like

  • How does faith inspire young people?
  • What does meaningful religious practice look like?
  • What are the most pressing issues facing religious young people?

Come join this event which is being organised by the Pearl of the Islands Foundation in conjunction with the Wellington Abrahamic Council, where we’ll talk to and learn from members of our own and other religions.

A light supper will be provided.

Everyone is welcome to attend, but tickets (free or koha) are essential. You can get your tickets at:
https://events.humanitix.com/abrahamic-young-people-in-faith

You can help spread the word about this event by downloading and printing our beautiful poster, and posting it at your church, synagogue, or masjid.

Note that all attendees to our events are expected to uphold and respect our Abrahamic Council Values.

For more information, contact us on info@abrahamic.nz, or ring 027 220 2202.

Abrahamic Council Values

Dave Moskovitz

At our monthly internal Abrahamic Council meeting today, we agreed on a set of values to guide our discussions. We believe these values are a good basis for interreligious discussion, and are more important now than they’ve ever been.

Our values

We are kind and respectful

  • We act in good faith, and assume good faith in the actions of others
  • We appreciate our shared values and respect our differences
  • We don’t try to convert others
  • We listen respectfully to what others say

We are genuinely interested and open

  • We are open to ask and answer questions
  • We learn from each other
  • We see the inherent worth in others’ beliefs and practices

We are honest

  • No one can represent an entire religion, but we represent our own beliefs
  • We identify where our personal beliefs diverge from common or mainstream beliefs
  • We don’t speak for the beliefs or practices of other religions

We are bold

  • We are not afraid to have hard conversations, but do so with sensitivity

We are tolerant and forgiving

  • We do not blame each other for the actions of coreligionists, present or historical
  • We are slow to take offence
  • When we are offended, we treat this as a misunderstanding, seek to understand the context, and forgive.

We are united

  • We make our decisions by consensus.
  • We seek to achieve consensus, but where this is not possible, we move on.

Public Seminar: Why do bad things happen to good people?

Dave Moskovitz

All welcome.

WhenTuesday 7 May 2024, 7:00 pm
WhereNOTE NEW LOCATION
St Joseph’s Church
152 Brougham Street
Wellington
Speakers
Paul Morris (Jewish)
Paul is Emeritus Professor of Religious Studies at Victoria University / Te Herenga Waka. He is the author of the National Statement on Religious Diversity. He is a member of the Wellington Jewish Community Centre.
Neil Vaney (Christian)
Neil is a Catholic priest of the Marist order, ordained in 1969. He has been a university chaplain, lecturer, writer and spiritual director. His doctorate was in environmental ethics and the theology of nature.
Tahir Nawaz (Muslim)
Tahir is a senior analyst of Muslim affairs. He has been involved in community service as the President of the International Muslim Associations of New Zealand (IMAN), and he is the Chairperson of Deen Welfare Trust, which provides social services to migrant communities.
ChairJenny Dawson
Jenny is an Anglican priest who has served in various pastoral roles in the Waipu and Wellington dioceses. Her doctoral thesis was about the future of the church as community in this country. She is an Ignatian spiritual director.

Why do bad things happen to good people?

This question, and the answers given in our religious traditions, have framed what is often referred to the problem of evil, or theodicy, and of the meaning of justice. These religious and spiritual responses have generated profound reflections concerning the uncertainties of religious experience and human existence.

In modern times, for some, the answer to this question has been the gateway out of religious belief, for others it has served to reinforce belief and religious commitment. It remains one of the significant questions facing us as human beings.

Tickets are mandatory to attend. Get your (free or koha) ticket at:
https://events.humanitix.com/why-do-bad-things-happen-to-good-people

You can download a poster for this event – we’d appreciate you posting it in your church, mosque, or synagogue.

Image credit: Imjustwalkin on Flickr CC BY-NC-SA

Reception to welcome the newly ordained Patriarch of the Assyrian Ancient Church of the East

Dave Moskovitz

Members of the Wellington Abrahamic Council were invited to attend a reception to welcome the newly ordained Patriarch of the Assyrian Ancient Church of the East, His Holiness, Mar Gewargis III Younan, as part of his tour of the South Pacific (Australia and New Zealand).

The reception was held on Friday 1st March 2024, beginning at 7pm at the Samoan Presbyterian Church located at 55 Daniell St in Newtown, Wellington.

The invitation came from Phil Pithyou, whose dad, Father Aprem Pithyou (now living in Australia), had been a member of the Abrahamic Council some years ago and held our Council in high regard for the inter-faith dialogues and meetings, which we either organised or attended.

Ann Desmond and Rev Rota Stone attended as representatives of the Abrahamic Council. We were made very welcome and given ‘front row’ seats where we had unobliterated views of all the proceedings.

Approximately 300 men, women, and children plus special guests, packed the hall attached to the Samoan Presbyterian Church in Newtown.

It was a very interesting evening with Phil Pithyou acting as MC. Many of those present were members of the Assyrian Ancient church of the East in Miramar. Supporting guests included Community based organisations, representatives from the Police, local government, other churches, the Jewish community, and the Wellington Abrahamic Council. Phil opened the evening by welcoming everyone, naming all the special guests.

The event proceeded with a number of speeches – all of which were spoken in Assyrian (a derivative of Aramaic). Fortunately, these were followed by an English summary for the benefit of those who did not speak or understand Assyrian.

A group of children and women entertained us by signing / chanting an Assyrian song. The children were delightful and coped very well considering this was the first time that they had performed their song in public.

The Patriarch was the last to speak, prior to the cake cutting ceremony. All the special guests were invited to cut the cake!

The evening proceeded with the main meal – a full meal of Assyrian / middle eastern foods – a veritable feast.

It was an honour to participate in the event. I have written to Phil Pithyou thanking him for the invitation and the welcome which was extended wholeheartedly to us.

Ann Desmond

Footnote: the new patriarch is described as ‘educated’ and ‘young’ (or younger than previous patriarchs). Although born in Iraq, he has lived his entire life in the USA, in Chicago. His ordination took place in Baghdad on 6 June 2023. The visiting delegation included the Vice-patriarch from Iraq, plus a number of other dignitaries.