Beyond Rome

Simone Rizkallah delivers the closing remarks of the Catholics & Jews Standing Shoulder to Shoulder Seminar.

Hosted by the Coalition of Catholics Against Antisemitism in collaboration with Benedictine College, the Shoulder to Shoulder Conference brought together scholars and leaders committed to fostering friendship, combating antisemitism, and strengthening Catholic-Jewish relations.

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Moderator Peter Wolfgang, President of Family Institute of Connecticut Action, speaks with three young Jewish Catholic panelists about their personal experiences and their thoughts on current cultural and societal difficulties.

Panelists:

• Yarden Zelivansky, Co-host of The Voice of Jacob
• Gideon Lazar, Co-host of The Voice of Jacob
• Aviva Lund

Hosted by the Coalition of Catholics Against Antisemitism in collaboration with Benedictine College, the Shoulder to Shoulder Conference brought together scholars and leaders committed to fostering friendship, combating antisemitism, and strengthening Catholic-Jewish relations.

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Joe Heschmeyer delivered the keynote address at the Shoulder to Shoulder Conference on reclaiming Christ the King's Jewish roots in Rosh Hashanah. 

Hosted by the Coalition of Catholics Against Antisemitism in collaboration with Benedictine College, the Shoulder to Shoulder Conference brought together scholars and leaders committed to fostering friendship, combating antisemitism, and strengthening Catholic-Jewish relations.

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Experience a rich and thoughtful introduction to Judaism through a Catholic lens in this lecture presented by Dr. Lawrence Feingold at the April 22, 2026 Shoulder to Shoulder Conference.

In “A Crash Course on Judaism for Catholics,” Dr. Feingold offers a clear, engaging overview of the Jewish faith—its history, beliefs, practices, and enduring covenant with God—while highlighting its profound connection to Christianity. Designed especially for Catholics seeking deeper understanding, this talk illuminates the shared spiritual heritage between Jews and Christians and encourages informed, respectful dialogue.

Hosted by the Coalition of Catholics Against Antisemitism in collaboration with Benedictine College, the Shoulder to Shoulder Conference brought together scholars and leaders committed to fostering friendship, combating antisemitism, and strengthening Catholic-Jewish relations.

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Explore the enduring mystery of Israel and its significance within Catholic theology in this lecture presented by Dr. Matthew Ramage at the April 22, 2026 Shoulder to Shoulder Conference.

In “Pope Benedict, the Jews, and the Mystery of Israel,” Dr. Ramage draws deeply from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI to examine the Church’s understanding of the Jewish people in salvation history. With clarity and theological depth, he unpacks the ongoing role of Israel in God’s plan, the meaning of covenant, and the call to renewed Catholic-Jewish dialogue in our time.

Hosted by the Coalition of Catholics Against Antisemitism in collaboration with Benedictine College, the Shoulder to Shoulder Conference brought together scholars and leaders committed to fostering friendship, combating antisemitism, and strengthening Catholic-Jewish relations.

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Benedictine College and the Coalition of Catholics Against Antisemitism hosted a one-day conference marking the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the Church’s landmark declaration on the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Jewish people. 

Welcoming remarks were delivered by Kimberly Shankman, Provost & Dean of Benedictine College, and the event's Emcee, Dr. Richard Crane, Benedictine College's Dean of Faculty.

This gathering hosted Catholics, scholars, and students to explore the theological, historical, and spiritual foundations of Jewish–Catholic friendship at a time when antisemitism is rising and religious identity is being tested.

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As one of the bonus episodes for Beyond Rome, we are sharing conversations from our conference, Called to Friendship: Nostra Aetate at 60.

My Brother’s Keeper: Christians and the New Antisemitism by Mary Eberstadt, Founding Member of the Coalition of Catholics Against Antisemitism

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As one of the bonus episodes for Beyond Rome, we are sharing conversations from our conference, Called to Friendship: Nostra Aetate at 60.

A biographical and theological reflection on O’Connor’s legacy and what it means for the Church today. Cardinal John O’Connor, Archbishop of New York from 1984 to 2000, was one of the most courageous and compassionate voices for Catholic-Jewish reconciliation in the post–Nostra Aetate era. A Navy chaplain turned prince of the Church, O’Connor combined pastoral sensitivity with moral clarity, publicly condemning antisemitism and forging deep relationships with Jewish leaders in New York and beyond. In his own words, “We are spiritual Semites. If we forget our Jewish brothers and sisters, we forget who we are.” This talk traces his powerful legacy—marked by humility, justice, and friendship—and its urgent relevance for the Church today.

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As one of the bonus episodes for Beyond Rome, we are sharing conversations from our conference, Called to Friendship: Nostra Aetate at 60.

For many Catholics and Jews today, the idea of “interreligious dialogue” can feel abstract, irrelevant, or even suspect. And yet, at the heart of the Church’s renewed relationship with the Jewish people is something far deeper than diplomacy: a shared spiritual history, a wounded past, and a prophetic call to walk together in truth. This candid panel will tackle the real questions: Why should this friendship matter to Catholics today? Are Judaism and Catholicism actually related—or are they fundamentally separate faiths with little in common? What do we mean when we say “Judeo-Christian”? Can someone truly be a “Jewish Catholic”? How do we deal honestly with the difficult questions of mission, conversion, and reparation for past sins? And most importantly: what do Catholics and Jews need from each other now—not politically, but spiritually and culturally? Join us for a searching, unscripted conversation about how Catholics and Jews can move beyond mere dialogue toward a deeper, more demanding—and more hopeful—friendship.

Panelists: Yael Freimann, Kathryn Wolf, Rabbi Joshua Stanton, Peter Wolfgang, Simone Rizkallah
Moderator: Phil Dolitsky

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As one of the bonus episodes for Beyond Rome, we are sharing conversations from our conference, Called to Friendship: Nostra Aetate at 60.

This presentation explores the theological foundations of “minimalist Catholic Zionism”—a position grounded in fundamental Catholic doctrinal assertions about God’s covenant with the Jewish people. Built upon four essential building blocks, this framework maintains that the Jewish covenant is irrevocable, applies to Jews today, includes the promise of the land, and remains unannulled in the New Testament while being firmly rooted in Old Testament revelation. Rather than advocating for specific political policies, this minimalist approach focuses on irreducible theological truths that emerge from Catholic teaching about the permanence of God’s covenant relationships and the continuity of divine promises across salvation history. The talk examines how these doctrinal foundations provide a theological basis for Catholic support of Jewish connection to the Holy Land that transcends political considerations while remaining faithful to both Scripture and tradition, offering Catholics a way to engage with questions of Israel and the Jewish people that is rooted in theological conviction rather than political alignment.

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