Jerusalem Talks

Bridging God and Modernity: Feat. Bishop Étienne Vetö

In this episode, Avraham Burg sits down with Monsieur Etienne Vetö, Auxiliary Bishop of Reims and Professor of Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University. In their wide-ranging and deeply reflective conversations, Vetö reflects on how ancient religious traditions communicate with modern individuals in our fast-paced, technological age. Vetö argues that what truly resonates today is not spectacle or dogma alone, but a deeply personal relationship with God—an idea rooted in both Jewish and Christian traditions. The discussion also explores the fragility of institutional religions and how Vatican II is proof that profound transformation is possible without institutional collapse.

Gaza's Christian Community: Feat. Dr. Georg Röwekamp

In this episode, Avraham Burg speaks with Dr. Georg Röwekamp, theologian and historian of the Christian community in the Holy Land, about his personal journey and his new book on the History of the Christian community in Gaza. Röwekamp shares how he came to Jerusalem from Germany at a young age. Röwekamp delves into the oft-forgotten history of the Christian community in Gaza, a modern community with roots stretching back into early antiquity, and his own personal connection to that community. Throughout the conversation, he highlights the strength and courage of the small modern community in the face of danger. Röwekamp also discussed the work that he has been involved in as the manager of the pilgrimage house at Tabga on the Sea of Galilee.

Digging for Truth Beneath Faiths: Feat. Katja Soennecken

In this episode, Avraham Burg sits down with Dr. Katja Soennecken, Assistant Professor of Biblical Archaeology at the Luxembourg School of Religion & Society and deputy director of the German Protestant Institute for Ancient Studies of the Holy Land in Jerusalem, who has been part of numerous excavations across the Holy Land. Together, they explore the question of “what is biblical archaeology” and how much is it affected by modern political and religious motivations. Dr. Soennecken highlights the academic independence of the field of archaeology, even with an ideologically charged climate that often seeks to utilize archaeology for its own ends. Soennecken also addresses the complicated question of the history of Jerusalem and what that does and does not mean for modern identity politics.

Nostra Aetate and Rome's Jewish Community: Feat. Rabbi Riccardo De Segni

In this episode, Avraham Burg sits down with Rabbi Riccardo Di Segni - the chief rabbi of Rome - to explore the ancient, continuous presence of the Jewish community in Rome, the transformative impact of Nostra Aetate on Jewish–Catholic relations, and the ongoing complexities of interreligious dialogue in a world shaped by both historical wounds and modern challenges. Together they examine the shifting power dynamics between Judaism and Christianity, the risks and value of religious “osmosis,” and the tension between preserving identity and embracing fluidity. Ultimately, Rabbi Di Segni emphasizes the importance of mutual respect, historical continuity, and the shared human hope that transcends rigid doctrine or past divisions.

Nostra Aetate and Catholic-Jewish Relations: Feat. Professor Karma Ben Johanan

In this episode, Avraham Burg sits down with Dr. Karma Ben Johanan, historian of Jewish-Christian relations and a faculty member at Hebrew University’s Department of Comparative Religion. Together, they discuss how Ben Johanan’s personal biography—growing up between Haifa’s secular and Ultra-Orthodox worlds—shaped her interest in religion and Jewish-Christian relations. She explores the evolving post-Holocaust Catholic-Jewish dialogue, rooted in the 1965 Nostra Aetate declaration, noting both theological breakthroughs and enduring tensions, especially around issues of particularism, universalism, and the global relevance of this reconciliation. They also explore the challenges and transformations in Jewish-Christian relations, as well as the role of geography and local politics in how interfaith dialogue takes place.