COV&R-Bulletin No. 8 (March 1995)
A Note from the Executive Secretary
The meeting of COV&R November 18 at Chicago in conjunction with AAR/SBL was one of the best we have had for intensity of discussion and a cordial atmosphere. The attendance at one time in the morning session was 45, the highest we have yet had at AAR/SBL. There were three editors or publishers present, including Cynthia Maude-Gembler of the Syracuse University Press.
The morning discussion focused on the prophetic tradition as a basis for Jewish-Christian dialogue, led by Sandy Goodhart and Charles Mabee, with a critique by Hans Jensen from the standpoint of biblical priestly theology. The afternoon session featured the question of Christianity and sacrifice, based on a paper by Robert Daly, with responses by Bruce Chilton and Paul Duff. Both of the subjects are not only important in their own right, but the papers may eventually be published in some form.
The cordial atmosphere was enhanced in the evening by a buffet reception at the home of Andrew McKenna. The highlight of the evening, besides the warm hospitality of Andrew and his wife, was the singing session led by Cheryl Kirk-Duggan, with Sandy Goodhart at the piano.
I would request that the members and friends of COV&R keep in mind two things: (1) The new book series announced by the Syracuse University Press, "Violence and the Sacred." Please keep in touch with me concerning your research and writing projects. (2) The need to ask libraries to subscribe to Contagion: Journal of Violence, Mimesis, and Culture. Publishing a journal is very expensive. We need everyone's support in whatever way you can help. (See the special announcement about the nomination of Contagion for an award.)
Finally, please note that a non-COV&R meeting is listed in the announcement of future meetings: a conference next Fall on the causes of violence sponsored by the Ernest Becker Foundation. Some of us have read in the works of Ernest Becker, particularly his The Denial of Death, and we find that we have overlapping concerns with the Becker people. Several members of COV&R are expected to participate in the conference.
