Bridge Builders: Interview with Rev. Dr. Kristin Philipson
How a shared meal around a Shabbat table inspired a congregation to build bridges and take a stand against antisemitism.
On May 31, 2026, Rosedale United Church and The Interfaith Bridge hosted Then and Now: An Event to Remember, a program dedicated to drawing on the lessons of the past and present to stand united against antisemitism. Featuring a distinguished group of speakers, the event brought Jewish and Christian communities together for an afternoon of listening, learning, reflection, and relationship-building.
We sat down with Rev. Dr. Kristin Philipson, Minister for Worship and Spiritual Care at Rosedale United Church, to discuss the journey that led her congregation to partner with The Interfaith Bridge, the lessons and impact of the event, and why she believes forging genuine relationships is among the most powerful ways to combat hatred.
Rev. Kristin shared that the seeds for the event were planted several months earlier when she received an invitation from The Interfaith Bridge to attend a Shabbat Unity Dinner at Beth Sholom Synagogue in Toronto. When she attended the dinner with a few members of her congregation, Rev. Kristin expected an evening of conversation and fellowship. She did not anticipate that the experience would inspire her congregation to deepen its relationship with the Jewish community and take an active and collective stand against antisemitism.
Rev. Kristin was well aware that antisemitism was on the rise. Like many people, she heard news reports and disturbing accounts of growing antisemitic incidents and violence at home and abroad. However, sitting at the Shabbat table with members of the local Jewish community, and hearing firsthand how antisemitism was affecting their lives and families, brought home the deeply personal toll it was taking on people in her own community.
Rev. Kristin described the Shabbat Unity Dinner as an amazing experience. She was particularly struck by the warmth and generosity of spirit of the Jewish community that hosted them. Here was a community that was feeling vulnerable and under siege, yet they had opened their doors to welcome strangers. “It struck me as a beautiful way to be in the world,” she said.
Shortly after the Shabbat dinner, Rev. Kristin shared her experience during a Sunday service at Rosedale United Church. The response from congregants was immediate. The conversations that followed soon led to a decision by the Board of Rosedale United Church to deepen the congregation’s relationship with the Jewish community by hosting an educational event in partnership with The Interfaith Bridge.
Rev. Kristin explained how the Then and Now event fit naturally within the mission of Rosedale United Church. She described the decision to host as a “no brainer,” given the congregation’s commitment to human flourishing. She also noted that the church has long sought to stand alongside people experiencing hardship or discrimination, and that strengthening relationships with the Jewish community while speaking out against antisemitism was a natural expression of those values.
While Rev. Kristin never wavered in her commitment to move forward, she acknowledged – not proudly – that she felt some initial apprehension about hosting the event. She was mindful that today’s global climate has made some conversations more difficult, and that people within any congregation or group may hold a range of deeply felt views. Despite this, she remained convinced that combatting antisemitism and fostering understanding across faith communities are moral responsibilities that transcend political, ideological, or other differences.
Rev. Kristin’s hope in hosting the event was to educate people about the growing threat of antisemitism, deepen understanding, and encourage participants to take meaningful action within their own communities. She was delighted to see those hopes realized.
Rev. Kristin spoke about the many ways people can stand with the Jewish community and confront antisemitism. Among other things, that includes speaking up when antisemitism appears in conversation, online, or in public life. It also means reaching out to Jewish friends, neighbours, and colleagues who may be feeling vulnerable or isolated. As she put it, we all need to “stick our necks out” and make it clear, through both words and actions, that antisemitism has no place in our communities.
Rev. Kristin would encourage other churches and faith communities to undertake similar initiatives. She emphasized, however, that meaningful interfaith engagement cannot rest with clergy alone. It must be, in her words, a “congregational effort.” When individuals and faith communities build genuine relationships, they move beyond assumptions and become allies –people willing to stand with one another when it matters most.
Looking back, Rev. Kristin described the Then and Now event as both meaningful and impactful. Participants left with a deeper understanding of antisemitism, new relationships across faith communities, a renewed commitment to stand alongside their Jewish neighbours, and some concrete and practical ways of being allies in confronting antisemitism.
Rev. Kristin's journey began with a simple invitation to share a Shabbat dinner. It culminated in her congregation choosing to stand publicly with its Jewish neighbours against antisemitism. Her story demonstrates that genuine relationships do more than deepen understanding – they inspire people to act.
