April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.

Jewish-Catholic dialogue thriving


By MAUREEN MCGUINNESS- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

While the world's attention has been focused on Pope John Paul II's ground-breaking apologies to Jews in a recent ceremony at the Vatican and during his visit last week to the Holy Land, those involved in Jewish-Catholic dialogue in the Albany Diocese were reminded of the impact an apology had locally -- 14 years ago.

In March 1986, more than 1,000 Catholics and Jews gathered at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany with Bishop Howard J. Hubbard for what is believed to be the first Jewish/Catholic Reconciliation Service anywhere in the world.

The event, known as "From Fear to Friendship," included prayers and reconciliation for centuries of anti-Semitism. Since that time, relationships have greatly improved among Jews and Catholics, say those involved in the process.

Lasting impact

The service "was not a flash in the pan," said Joan Dunham, co-chair of the Jewish/Catholic Dialogue Committee of the Albany diocesan Ecumenical Commission. "It established a trust that has been built upon. Everybody who was involved in the original event is still involved."

According to Mrs. Dunham, a parishioner of St. Francis Church in Northville, the dialogue committee meets three to four times a year and plans a major public event annually. These events have included panel discussions at local colleges, lectures and educational programs on the Holocaust.

Rabbi Bernard Bloom, rabbi emeritus of Temple Gate of Heaven in Schenectady, said that the dialogue committee and the events it sponsors are examples of the positive relationship that exists between Catholics and Jews locally. In addition, he pointed to Siena College's Institute for Jewish Christian Studies and the College of Saint Rose's Sidney Albert lecture series as programs that have promoted greater communication and understanding.

Leadership

All of this occurred because of "From Fear to Friendship" and the leadership of Bishop Hubbard and Rev. James Kane, head of the Ecumenical Commission, Mrs. Dunham said.

"'From Fear to Friendship' made a difference," she said. "It's like a pebble in the pond. We now have a very special community."

Father Kane agreed, saying, "The relationship between Jews and Christians is better here than anywhere in the country."

Said Rabbi Bloom, "We're in the forefront, thanks to Bishop Hubbard."

Pilgrims together

Good-will trips to Israel and Rome by groups of Catholics and Jews that preceded the 1986 service also served to strengthen relationships between the two faiths. Bernice Kahn, co-chair of the Jewish/Catholic Dialogue Committee, said that "after the trip to Israel and Rome, we came back with a sense that we are relatives."

She compared the connection between the faiths to having family in another part of the country: You may not speak with them every day, yet you are pleased to hear from them, celebrate their good news and provide support in times of crisis.

"We're very proud of our relationship," said Mrs. Kahn. "We've been very successful, and we've become very good friends."

Together

Mrs. Kahn recalled a time when Jewish people "stayed on our own side of the street." Now it's common for Catholics and Jews to work together. Mrs. Dunham agreed, noting: "We're living side by side, trusting each other and working together."

Committee members have become involved in projects sponsored by the other faith tradition. For example, a Jewish woman serves on the Albany diocesan Commission for the Aging. As a result, the Commission for the Aging and Jewish Family Services co-sponsor projects.

At times, Mrs. Dunham finds herself working on a project at a local synagogue while Mrs. Kahn is at a Catholic church, serving on a committee.

Mrs. Dunham explained that involvement in the Jewish-Catholic dialogue has changed her life. "I remember a Jewish woman with tears in her eyes, saying, 'I never thought I could trust a Christian.'"

More to do

Although relationships between Catholics and Jews in the Albany Diocese are strong, there is still room for improvement, according to Mrs. Kahn, who said: "Anyone can have improvement in anything."

Father Kane said, "The Holocaust is always going to be a point of friction." Jewish people would like Christians to acknowledge the centuries of anti-Semitism that led to the Holocaust, as well as the role Pope Pius XII played, he noted. Christians, for their part, would like Jewish people to acknowledge the five million Christians killed in the Holocaust.

"This continues to be a flashpoint of concern," he said. "However, the relationship in this area allows open dialogue on this."

Rabbi Bloom would like to see greater involvement of young people. "It's like the attitude of younger women to the feminist movement," he said. "They've come to take it for granted. For younger people, there's not as much of an interest. They think that's the way it's supposed to be."

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