Jorge Bergoglio back in 2004, went to the museum exhibit, “Maimonides 800 Years”

Moses Maimonides 

aka Rabbeinu Moshe Ben Maimon 

or simply the Rambam

Flashback to 20 July 2004, the date Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio (then archbishop of Buenos Aires), the late Adel Mohamed Made (then president of the Islamic Center), and Jorge Kirszenbaum (a lawyer and then president of DAIA) had an interreligous field trip to the Museo de Arte Español Enrique Larreta in Buenos Aires to see “Maimonides 800 Years: Meeting of Faith and Reason”.  North America had the twin exhibition at the Florida International University-North Campus.  The exhibit was a collaboration between the Center for Research and Promotion of Sephardic Culture (CIDiCSef) and the University of Cambridge.  The museum display was celebrating the 800th anniversary of the death of Maimonides.  The exhibit contained liturgical objects, paintings, a model of the world Maimonides traveled, excerpts from his works, video, and scholars comments on the Rambam.  There the three interreligous amigos were hosted by Mario Cohen who explained to his guests: what a genius Maimonides was and how the Rambam was a man of coexistence.  Cardinal Bergolgio praised Maimonides open attitude as well as his understanding those of other faiths and praised the exhibit for demonstrating this.  [CMJ's comment: What a bunch of malarkey!  Maimonides wanted to kill Catholics, thought Blacks were inferior, was in favor of child-molestations, believed in situational ethics, etc...] Unfortunately, Call Me Jorge... could not uncover any photos or videos from this day.  We wonder if the three had a spiritual hug which Francis is so fond of?  It would only be a little past 4 years later when Jorge Mario Bergoglio accepted the Maimonides Award for Inter-religious Dialogue in 2008. 

source: Zenit, El cardenal de Buenos Aires visita la exposición sobre Maimónides, hombre de diálogo


archived page of MAIMONIDES 800 AÑOS Rabi Moshé Ben Maimón, Rambám


More on Call Me Jorge... about Maimonides

Jorge Bergoglio and Dr. Mario Cohen at the 5th International Symposium on Sephardic Studies at the Maimonides University in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Francis receives Award of Distinction from Bar-Ilan University

"As a microcosm of Israeli society, Bar-Ilan's doors are open to students of all races and religions. Through a variety of ongoing dialogue programs aimed at fostering understanding and acceptance, Bar-Ilan University has been working to bridge gaps between various sectors of Israeli society for many years. It is, therefore, a deep privilege to be meeting with and honoring the Pope, who has taken it upon himself to undertake this tremendous task on a worldwide scale."

Bar-Ilan University President Rabbi Prof. Daniel Hershkowitz

On Monday 27 October 2014 at the Vatican, Francis received the highest honor given out by Bar-Ilan University, it's Award of Distinction.  This kicked off the festivities for the university which is celebrating its 60th anniversary.  Bar-Ilan University President Rabbi Prof. Daniel Hershkowitz said The Award of Distinction was given to Francis for his, “contribution to understanding and tolerance between Christians and Jews and the warmth he has extended toward the Jewish nation, particularly during his official visit to Israel.” 

Past recipients of the award are the following people:

• Drs. Vivienne & Maurice Wohl C.B.E.

• The Re'im Duo

• Ruth & Baruch Rappaport

• Yehoram Gaon

• Barbara Kort

"Peace and harmony were born much before religions were. The concepts of harmony and unity are shared by our respective religions. Unfortunately however, we are living in a world that is filled with hostility and animosity. Our very presence here signals a new beginning; a vista of opportunity. We are ever so aware of the need for dialogue and harmony; peace and coexistence."

Bar-Ilan University President Rabbi Prof. Daniel Hershkowitz

"We are the sons of Abraham and we have the privilege and the responsibility to guide humankind on the path to peace."

Francis

Palestinians protested the event as Bar-Ilan University is a right-wing school which supports the settlers and their illegal Israeli settlements in the Palestinian Territories.

If a transcript of Francis' speech becomes available will we post it.

Related:

• it's always about the...BLANK

• Maimonides Award for Inter-religious Dialogue

More on the event:

• Bar-Ilan University to Honor Pope Francis at the Vatican 

• Cardinal Newman Society, Pope Francis Receives Highest Honor from Israeli University

• Israel Hayom, Bar-Ilan University presents pope with honorary degree

• Shalom Life, Pope Francis Meets Bar-Ilan University President at the Vatican 

• The Jewish Daily Forward, Pope Francis Gets Bar-Ilan Honor at Vatican

• the Algemeiner, Pope Francis Honored by Israeli University

Rabbi Francis

Rabbi Francis allowed Rabbi Bergman to say

Talmudic prayers in the Holy Sepulcher of St. Peter 

Dear readers are you wondering why the strange mid-term report from the Synod on the Family and then the closing speech by Francis in which he criticizes everyone, allowing both sides to claim victory?  An anonymous reader of Call Me Jorge... provided the article below and a quote in a book which give some insight into this matter.  The Talmudists are having a good laugh in the shadows as they watch Francis finish the demolition of the church started by John XXIII.

Bergoglio, my Rabbi 

Sergio Bergman ~ March 14, 2013 

Bergoglio was designated as new Pope and takes the role of Supreme Pontiff as Francisco. A turning point in the history of the Church, of Argentina and, I trust, will also be of the world!

But beyond all of the considerations of his work and role, there is an aspect of his personality in which many of us inspire ourselves of his being in values and of his doing in the coherence of his actions.

Rabbi is master. That is what Jesus was called. In this role and function the Gospel presents him.

Bergoglio is a master. Faithful to my Jewish roots and my rabbinical vocation, within my community of origin and my destination community which is the whole Argentinean society, I found in the one who was anointed Supreme Pontiff a master who listened to me, who guided me and gave me advice on how to unfold my vocation to serve, both the Creator and his creatures, in the challenge of the common good.

From his prologue in my book Argentina ciudadana, to his sermons in the solemn festivities in the Temple on Libertad Street, each encounter, each moment of his presence was a reference.

He always brought out his rabbi vocation. As primate cardinal he taught how to recuperate the Jewish roots of Christianity and projected from the Church the universal dimension of writing, in the daily prose, the poetry of those who, to be able to see reality transformed, must follow the teachings of this pastor of souls. My master, rabbi, friend who gave me the example of believing so as to be able to see.

In the admiration and gratitude for his teachings, I elevate my heart in prayer so that the accomplishment of this new dimension, being a new light from the Atalaya, with his vision inspired by the Father of all, will guide us, as his children and brothers that we are, to a better world.

http://opinion.infobae.com/sergio-bergman/2013/03/14/bergoglio-mi-rabino/
http://t.co/92QVwwqQXO

cover of Pope Francis: Our Brother, Our Friend 
by Alejandro Bermudez

 page from book with "Rabbi Bergoglio" quote

(click here to view on google books)