Biblical calligraphy and interreligious dialogue

The Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy and the International exhibition of calligraphy join to congratulations to His Eminence Cardinal Walter Kasper* on the occasion of awarding him the prestigious Isaiah Interreligious Award.

We are proud to note that the parchment with God′s word was commissioned in Jerusalem to the exponent of our exhibition – Avraham Borshevsky, a famous master of sacred calligraphy.

Rabbi David Rosen presents a unique work by Avraham Borshevsky
to His Eminence Cardinal Walter Kasper

The prophecy of Isaiah imprinted in calligraphy says: “Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumbling block out of the way of my people.” “Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.” (Isaiah, 57:14,19, KJV.)

Presentation and delivery of this unique work of art were held in Washington in late April 2010 at the annual convention of the oldest and most influential U.S. Jewish organization – the American Jewish Committee (AJC).

In his words of thanks, Cardinal Kasper said:
“I am deeply moved by this high distinction and I cannot but express my deep gratitude to AJC for the honor conferred upon me as a German, as a Catholic theologian and as President of the Pontifical Commission for Religious Relations with Jews,” said Kasper. “I am deeply grateful that I have been able to contribute to making a difference in relations between our two communities and to a healing process of the deep wounds inherited from the past.”

Among other public figures who hold the works of Avraham Borshevsky there are: Nursultan Nazarbayev, winner of the International Prize Maimonides, President of Kazakhstan, Franco Frattini, the Italian Foreign Minister, Ambassadors of Israel to Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania and Latvia, members of parliament of Israel, Russia and Britain.

Chief Rabbi of Israel presents the award Maimonides and the handwritten diploma
by Avraham Borshevsky to the Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, 2002

Photo by Ron Sachs, AJC
Vice-President of AJC David Harris (left) presents the biblical calligraphy by Avraham Borshevsky to Franco Frattini,
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Italy, 2009

* Cardinal Walter Kasper (born 1933)
Chairman of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity to Roman Curia. Chairman of the Commission for the Vatican Judeo-Catholic dialogue.
On February 1, 2009 he represented the Holy See delegation to the inauguration ceremony of His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Kirill

Source: International Exhibition of Calligraphy