Jewish-Catholic Relations

DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

Windsor’s Assumption University and the Windsor Jewish Federation and Community Centre launched a new course titled, “Jerusalem and Rome: Jewish-Catholic Relations” during an event at the Windsor JCC on May 2.

The course marks a new chapter in Jewish-Catholic dialogue, teaching an appreciation for both religious traditions with hopes to inspire additional Jewish-Catholic communities in Canada and the United States.

Dan Brotman, executive director of the WJCC, and Dr. John Cappucci, the Stephen Jarislowsky Chair in Religion and Conflict at Assumption University, signed a joint statement during the event and gave each other tokens of appreciation to symbolize their continued friendship.

Jewish and Catholic prayers at the event were led by the WJCC’s Rabbi Mike Nasielski and Assumption University’s Fr. Paul McGill, CSB, Superior of the Basilian Fellows. Members of the Windsor and broader Jewish and Catholic communities were also present.

The course provides a portrait of Jewish-Catholic relations by exploring both the historical interactions and the contemporary developments between the two religions and the place they hold in the larger community. The course will also explore the similarities and differences in the lived expressions of Judaism and Catholicism.

The course aims to provide the space for students to explore approaches and strategies to help cultivate understanding, dialogue and cooperation between Jewish and Catholic communities.

For Nasielski, the course is unique in that it’s presenting Jewish-Catholic relations primarily through a Catholic university but with much input from Jewish sources and guest speakers, including himself.

“It takes that mission of helping Catholics and other non-Jewish people understand Judaism but makes a strong point of presenting it from a Jewish lens,” Nasielski said. “It makes sure the Jewish perspective is expressed by actual, living Jewish people and it’s not just ‘about the Jews.’”

For Cappucci, the course is a historic moment and major step forward in Jewish-Catholic relations.

“You have a Catholic university and Jewish federation working together on an item of mutual interest and mutual education benefit for the community. I’m very excited by it,” Cappucci said.

“I hope [the students] will be inspired to see Jews and Catholics are not as different as everyone starts to think they are, that their similarities outweigh their differences.” .

In honor of Jewish American Heritage month in the United States, the American Jewish Committee (AJC) has designated May as #JewishandProud Month.

“Amid rising antisemitism and a wave of deadly terror attacks on Israel, we’re calling on all Jews and all allies to celebrate Jewish identity and unite against all forms of Jew-hatred,” said Belle Etra Yoeli, AJC Chief Advocacy Officer.

AJC, the leading global Jewish advocacy organization, first introduced #JewishandProud at the “No Hate, No Fear” Rally in New York City, in January 2020, where over 25,000 Jews and allies marched together against antisemitism. The hashtag went viral on social media, with Jews, allies of all backgrounds and civil society leaders expressing their Jewish pride or showing support for the Jewish community.

Throughout the month of May, AJC is encouraging Jews and all people of good will to exhibit their pride by: • Wearing and proudly displaying Judaica, like a kippah or Star of David, when in public. • Downloading and taking a picture with the #JewishandProud sign and posting a photo of it on social media and using the hashtag #JewishandProud! • Sharing one’s own #JewishandProud story. A collection of testimonials from Jews around the world will be shared on AJC’s social media accounts and website. • Joining AJC in urging the White House to convene a taskforce to develop a national action plan to fight antisemitism. Sign the petition here: https://actnow.ajc.org/RkadPkK.

Allies of the Jewish community are encouraged to participate by downloading a #JewishandProud Ally sign and posting a selfie with it on social media with the hashtag #JewishandProud.

Learn more at AJC.org/ JewishandProudMonth.