HARTFORD, CT – Hartford Seminary is pleased to announce that it will collaborate with Hebrew College and Boston University School of Theology in publishing the Journal of Interreligious Studies (JIRS), a peer-reviewed publication dedicated to the study of the interactions within and among religious communities past and present. JIRS provides a forum for the exploration of theological, ethical, social, and historical issues related to interreligious engagement.

Dr. Joel Lohr, President of Hartford Seminary and Professor of Bible and Interreligous Dialogue will join the JIRS publishing team and Board of Advisors, and Dr. Lucinda Mosher, Faculty Associate in Interfaith Studies at Hartford Seminary, will join the JIRS editorial team as Book Review Editor.

The creation of the Book Review Editor position reflects the continued growth of the discipline of interreligious studies. The increasing rate of quality research in the field has resulted in a proliferation of books, each of which demand careful attention. Commenting on the addition of Dr. Mosher to the JIRS team, Dr. Axel Takács, Managing Editor of the Journal, stated, “Given Dr. Mosher’s scholarly expertise and deep knowledge of the field, she is distinctly suited to provide our growing readership with critical reviews written by a broad range of experts.” Dr. Mosher remarked, “It is my great pleasure to take up this role on behalf of Hartford Seminary. Indeed, assessment and promotion of the literature of interreligious studies is a crucial enterprise as this vibrant academic discipline continues to expand.”

Reflecting on the new partnership with Hartford Seminary, Rabbi Or Rose, JIRS co-publisher and director of Hebrew College’s Miller Center for Interreligious Learning and Leadership, added: “We are excited to work with our colleagues from Hartford Seminary, who share a passion for the study and practice of interreligious engagement. Hartford Seminary has been a national leader in this field for several decades, and will help strengthen and sustain the work of the Journal.”

Dr. Mary Elizabeth Moore, JIRS co-publisher and Dean of Boston University School of Theology, expressed gratitude for the new collaboration in the context of broader societal matters: “We are living in a moment of significant polarization in our nation. In such a time, it is vital for scholars, public intellectuals, educators, and activists to explore the complexities of spiritual and ethical identity and the possibilities for engagement across lines of difference. The collaboration with Hartford Seminary will contribute much to our abilities to address these matters interreligiously.”

About the Institutions

About Boston University School of Theology: Since 1839, Boston University School of Theology has been preparing leaders to do good. A seminary of the United Methodist Church, Boston University School of Theology is a robustly ecumenical institution that welcomes students from diverse faith traditions who are pursuing a wide range of vocations – parish ministry, conflict transformation, chaplaincy, campus ministry, administration, non-profit management, social work, teaching, justice advocacy, peacemaking, interreligious activism, and more. Our world-renowned faculty help students nurture their academic goals and realize any ministry imaginable. For more information, please visit www.bu.edu/sth.

About Hartford Seminary: With roots that go back to 1834, Hartford Seminary is a non-denominational graduate school for religious and theological studies with focus on interfaith dialogue. For more information, please visit oldhartsem.hartfordinternational.edu.

About Hebrew College: Hebrew College is a Boston-area institution of Jewish learning and leadership that offers community learning programs for all ages and stages within a pluralistic environment of open inquiry, depth, creativity, and compassion, as well as graduate programs in rabbinical, cantorial, education and Jewish studies. Betty Ann Greenbaum Miller Center for Interreligious Learning & Leadership provides current and future religious and ethical leaders with the knowledge and skills to serve in a religiously diverse society. For more information, please visit www.hebrewcollege.edu.