From the LATimes (LRR)

Several Jewish organizations are launching efforts at interfaith outreach as well as to teach Jews about the New Testament.

In response to the movie, the University of Judaism in Los Angeles recently held a panel discussion — the first of three at area colleges — of Christian and Jewish scholars about the Crucifixion.

The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles this week is featuring a startling cover story with an image of Jesus and a piece by noted Christian author Jack Miles, “What Jews Need to Know about Jesus.” The piece explains the New Testament, Jesus’ background, the reasons Jews rejected him and the context for claims that the Gospels are anti-Semitic.

“The only important work that Jews know less about than the Torah are the Gospels,” Journal editor Rob Eshman wrote in an accompanying editorial. “Gibson’s movie won’t destroy decades of fruitful Christian-Jewish dialogue; it will simply prove how crucial that dialogue is.”