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PERSPECTIVES studying studying studying lf lf relations lf lf relations relations between between between Jews Jews Jews Christians Christians Christians nstitute nstitute nstitute nstitute woo i woo i & Muslims woo i woo i & Muslims & Muslims AuTumn 2011 In ThIS ISSuE TranslaTion and inTerpreTaTion PERSPECTIVES 5 studying studying studying lf relations lf lf relations relations between between between Jews Jews Jews Christians Christians Christians nstitute nstitute nstitute woo i & Muslims woo i woo i & Muslims & Muslims perspectives Published by the Woolf Institute, uK Registered Charity no 1069589. editorial Board Esther haworth, Ed Kessler, Editors Alice Thompson, Editorial Assistant Emma harris, Sub Editor Lars Fischer, Features Trisha Kessler, Culture From the Editor submissions We welcome readers’ responses and Translation is an art and not a science. The scope for misinterpretation in the contributions. If you would like your rendering of a text into a different language is limitless. It might be an incorrect material to be considered for publication, emphasis, or an accidental or deliberate alteration, however minor. Perhaps please identify it ‘for publication’. Email submissions are preferable. Images then we should judge the character and motives of our translators before we should be supplied as 300 dpi jpgs, at unquestioningly consume their version of an original. Of course, this is not always least A5 size (148 x 210 mm). We also possible. But in the year that has seen so much celebration surrounding the 400th welcome audio and audio-visual material anniversary of the King James Version of the Bible it is interesting to note the for Perspectives online. Files can be words of its translators to the reader, ‘Translation it is that openeth the window, emailed, uploaded to an ftp site (please to let in the light, that breaketh the shell, that we may eat the kernel’. In this provide details) or burned on to a CD. instance, the translators clearly intended that here there was something to be gained rather than lost in translation. Contact Perspectives Taking the anniversary of this world-changing text as our cue, we have selected Woolf Institute the subject of translation and interpretation as our theme for this issue of Wesley house Perspectives. Mike Levy, a recent graduate from the Centre for the Study of Jesus Lane Cambridge CB5 8BJ Muslim-Jewish Relations, talks to Robina Pelham Burn, Director of the Stephen united Kingdom Spender Trust about how translating poetry from another language and culture Tel: + 44 (0)1223 741 048 can help to bring greater understanding and tolerance. Our Jerusalem Trust [email protected] Visiting Fellow AJ Levine, self-confessed Yankee Jewish feminist who teaches New www.woolf.cam.ac.uk/resources/ Testament to Christian ministerial candidates in Nashville, the buckle of the perspectives.asp Bible Belt, talks about her commitment to eradicating politically incorrect readings of the Bible. Father Henry Wansbrough casts light on some of the Distributed free of charge in the earliest translations of the Bible, challenging common assumptions. And my uK and worldwide. personal favourite: Trisha Kessler’s conversation with Simon Schama during his visit to the Institute earlier this year. Professor Schama’s skill for interpreting the photography past was matched by his charm and joie de vivre, leaving a number of us rather cover: © The Dean & Chapter of weak at the knees. hereford and the mappa mundi Trust. used with permission I hope this leaves you with an appetite for more. design & print management h2 Associates, Cambridge Esther Haworth, editor Perspectives is Printed on chlorine-free FSC certified paper with vegetable- based ink. PERSPECTIVES 2 PERSPECTIVES Editorial From the Editor ......................................................................................................2 From the Director .................................................................................................4 Diary Events ............................................................................................................................5 People at Woolf ......................................................................................................9 Fellows at Woolf .................................................................................................. 11 Culture Book Shelf The Favourites of Rabbi Dame Julia neuberger ................................. 27 Review An Ermine in Czernopol by Gregor Von Rezzori reviewed by Eric Dickens ................................................................................... 28 Poems Suspended Somewhere Between The Poems of Akbar Ahmed ........................................................................... 29 Resources Academic announcements ............................................................................ 41 Online lectures | Theses ...................................................................................... 42 noticeboard highlights & Calendar ....................................................................................... 44 Features daniel Cowdin 15 Gorazd andrejč 19 Father Henry Wansbrough 23 Reflections on a Public Celebration of messianic Jews as a Challenge Bible? Which Bible? Religious Liberty: Touro Synagogue and for Interpreting Jewish – the George Washington Letter Christian Dialogue Alumni Reflections iona Hine 34 ann Conway 35 lynn Clarke 37 samia Baig 38 The King James Bible Interpreting the Ascent Evidence and Judgment: and eva simmons and a Knowledge to the heavenly Temple Alumna Lynn Clarke on her Beyond Faith: former students Transfer Partnership new novel discuss their friendship despite their differences Culture: Conversations Mike levy talks to robina pelham Burn 30 Fanciful Moments with simon schama 32 Director of the Stephen Spender Trust Trisha Kessler in conversation with Professor Simon Schama www.woolf.cam.ac.uk From the director In July, I was delighted to participate in a combined Woolf Institute alumni and graduate weekend. Students from as far afield as New Zealand and Mauritius travelled to Cambridge to celebrate their achievements and also to explore the theme of this issue of Perspectives: translation and interpretation. One of the seminars examined the view of French philosopher Paul Ricoeur who argued that translation offers a model for inter-religious dialogue, as it requires an exposure to and a reflection on difference. Awareness of difference, as well as the need for commonality, is core to my approach to studying relations between Jews, Christians and Muslims. The Institute, its scholars and teachers, its students and graduates represent the next generation of leaders and opinion formers. The Bible commends us to remember l’dor v’dor, ‘from generation to generation’. The Woolf Institute focuses on the leaders not just of today but of tomorrow’s generation. Our teaching programme focuses not on convergence but on divergence; not simply what we share in common but what divides us. And most importantly, how to live with difference. I believe that a positive encounter, particularly in today’s turbulent and increasingly threatening world, is dependent upon an understanding of difference as well as commonality. It means tackling difficult topics as well as the easier ones. The Woolf Institute will not shirk its responsibility nor will it avoid difficult issues. This issue of Perspectives includes articles on the many aspects of the process of translation and also provides the latest news and developments at the Woolf Institute. Finally, I hope your reading will inspire you to visit our newly designed website where you can watch or listen again to many of our recent events and lectures. You can still find us at www.woolf.cam.ac.uk Dr Edward Kessler MBE Founding director PERSPECTIVES 4 DIARY recent events at the Woolf institute Simon Schama argues there should be no such thing as a crime against God Woolf Institute’s public lecture, 8th March In a week that saw international pressure Director of the Woolf Institute, Dr Edward mounting on Pakistan to abolish its Kessler said, ‘Professor Schama raised some blasphemy laws and a condemnation of important and controversial issues in the its persecution of Christians, historian field of interfaith relations. The challenge Professor Simon Schama argued that there of fostering better understanding between should be no such thing as a crime against religions and between religion and society God. The statement was made at the remains a hotly contested topic today, as in Woolf Institute’s public lecture on 8th the 18th century. The work of the Woolf march at St Edmund’s College, entitled The Institute continues.’ Difficulties of Toleration: Jews amidst the Christians and Muslims which was attended Professor Schama taught history at Cambridge by over 100 people, standing room only. from 1966 to 1980 and is presently Professor of Art history and history at Columbia The claim, which referred back to Locke university in the united States. his highly and Jefferson, was part of an historical acclaimed works on history and art include tour de force looking at the treatment The Embarrassment of Riches, Landscape and of Jewish minorities amongst Christian Memory, Dead Certainties, Rembrandt’s Eyes, and muslim majorities. Professor Schama, and his history of the French Revolution, Citizens. probably best known for writing and hosting the BBC documentary series A History of Listen again to the lecture at: www.woolf. Britain,