Remembering a Momentous Moment

The Meeting of Pope John XXIII and Prof. Jules Isaac

Synagoga et Ecclesia

From: Institute for Jewish-Catholic Relations College of Arts and Sciences Saint Joseph's University. Philip Cunningham | Adam Gregerman Institute for Jewish-Catholic Relations and Étienne Vetö | David Meyer Cardinal Bea Centre for Judaic Studies

A webinar cosponsored by the Cardinal Bea Centre for Judaic Studies of the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome and the Institute for Jewish-Catholic Relations of Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia

Thursday, June 11, 2020 11 a.m. Philadelphia | 17:00 Rome

Sixty years ago, the French educator and historian, Prof. Jules Isaac had a private audience with Pope John XXIII. The Jewish scholar presented a summary of his research into the Christian “teaching of contempt” for Jews and Judaism that had prevailed for centuries. He asked that the pope establish a subcommittee to study the subject in preparation for the upcoming Second Vatican Council. The pope replied, “That is what I have been thinking from the beginning of this meeting!” Their brief conversation led to the composition of the conciliar declaration Nostra Aetate and the birth of a new relationship between Jews and Catholics that has now unfolded for six decades.

Join us as two international leaders of the Catholic and Jewish journey of friendship discuss why the 1960 meeting of the Pope and the Professor was so significant!

Dr. Mary C. Boys, SNJM is Skinner and McAlpin Professor of Practical Theology at Union Theological Seminary, New York. Among her many publications are Has God Only One Blessing? Judaism as a Source of Christian Self-Understanding and Redeeming Our Sacred Story: The Death of Jesus and Relations between Jews and Christians.

Rabbi Dr. Irving Greenberg, ordained in the Orthodox Rabbinate, served for 23 years as a Founding President of CLAL: The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership and for 10 years as Founding President of the Jewish Life Network/ Steinhardt Foundation. Among his many writings are: For the Sake of Heaven and Earth: The New Encounter Between Judaism and Christianity.

Registration is required HERE.