September 27, 2000

Saying that it was time “for Jews to learn about the efforts of Christians to honor Judaism,” over 170 Jewish leaders from all branches of Judaism have signed a statement outlining eight points of common ground and shared purpose between Christians and Jews. The statement, titled Dabru Emet (“speak truth”), released on September 7, refers to “an unprecedented shift in Jewish and Christian relations” since the Holocaust, and calls for a “thoughtful Jewish response” to recent changes in Christian teachings about Judaism.

This past May, India’s population crossed the one billion mark, according to the country’s registrar general and census commissioner. The billionth citizen of this ancient land entered a country with 40 political parties and 24 official languages, each spoken by more than a million people.