Israel and Brazil United by Biblical Archaeology
The 9th edition of the International Congress of Biblical Archaeology (CIAB), organized by the Moriah International Center with support from Israel’s Ministry of Tourism, has established itself as both an academic and spiritual milestone. Well-structured and technically organized, the event offered a scientific and historical approach still largely unfamiliar to most Brazilian churches.
Bringing together leading experts in a single congress is a demanding task, yet essential given the theological scarcity Brazil currently faces. Considered by its organizers the largest international congress on biblical archaeology in Latin America, CIAB delivered three days of intensive programming, exploring the intersection of faith, history, and science. Presentations highlighted discoveries that contextualize biblical narratives and events, deepening the understanding of Scripture.
The opening session was led by Ariel Horovitz, director and founder of the Moriah International Center and creator of CIAB. His lecture provided a historical overview of Israel, covering periods such as the Medo-Persian and Babylonian eras, the fall of Jerusalem, the Greek and Roman empires, as well as the context of Jesus and Paul’s letters.
One of the most memorable moments was the participation of Israeli speakers, who emphasized the significance of Jewish heritage from both historical and contemporary perspectives. The event also featured Dr. Efstathios, representing the Greek tradition, further enriching the intercultural dialogue.
Among those who took the stage with historical and contemporary analyses were:
- Ariel Horovitz – Director and founder of the Moriah International Center, creator of CIAB.
- Prof. Luiz Sayão – Biblical scholar and Hebraist, regarded as Brazil’s foremost expert in biblical Hebrew.
- Dr. Yehiel Zelinger – Archaeologist with the Israel Antiquities Authority, specialist in the archaeology of Jerusalem.
- Me. Federico Kobrin – Archaeologist with the Israel Antiquities Authority, specialist in Jerusalem and Judah during the First Temple period.
- Rivka Dvira – Linguist at the Academy of the Hebrew Language.
- Me. Zachi Dvira – Director of the Temple Mount Sifting Project, specialist in archaeological findings from the Temple Mount.
- Dr. Claiton Kunz – New Testament researcher and director of Faculdade Batista Pioneira.
- Dr. Efstathios Tsotsos – Researcher of Hellenistic culture and international lecturer (Greek).
The presence of these scholars, combined with the Israeli setting, gave the congress a unique depth.
During the opening, Sergio Napchan, Executive Director of the Brazilian Israelite Confederation (CONIB), paid tribute to Prof. Luiz Sayão and underscored the importance of Jewish memory and heritage for the world. In his words:
To celebrate is also to remember. And for the Jewish people, remembering means preserving a memory that has endured through time, persecution, exile, and attempts at erasure. A memory that remains alive and becomes even more significant in the face of rising antisemitism across different parts of the world…
Napchan further stressed that combating antisemitism is the responsibility of every democratic society, and that supporting Israel means recognizing not only the State’s right to existence and security, but also the dignity and rights of all peoples in the region. He concluded by reminding the audience that archaeology serves as a vital link between history, identity, and faith, revealing ancient traces of Jewish presence in the Land of Israel.
