John Paul II and the Jewish People

The twentieth century will forever be marked by the horrific event of the Shoah. As a young man, the future John Paul II witnessed this horror during the Nazi occupation of Poland. His pontificate achieved a number of groundbreaking steps in the Catholic Church's relationship with the Jewish people. This book both reflects upon John Paul II's achievements, and seeks to continue the theological and philosophical dialogue that he cherished. By examining together the words and deeds of John Paul II, eminent Jewish and Catholic scholars exemplify in this volume the dialogue that John Paul fostered. Together, Jews and Catholics can encourage each other in the tasks of knowing the Creator, living a life worthy of the created dignity that human beings possess, and defending the vulnerable among us. As Dostoevsky warned before the horrors of the twentieth century, without God, anything is permitted. Following in the footsteps of John Paul II, we discover that our search for meaning and truth is one that needs to be undertaken arm-in-arm. Contributors include Hadley Arkes, David G. Dalin, Robert P. George, Matthew Levering, Bruce Marshall, David Novak, Michael Novak, Gregory Vall, and George Weigel.

“This remarkable book exemplifies the wisdom of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel who said, Interfaith dialogue begins with faith. " In these pages, the deepest differences are not ignored but respectfully engaged and imaginatively explored.”

Jews remember Pope John Paul II as the pope who considered Jews “elder brothers,” appreciated the significance of the Shoah, recognized Israel, and did more to repair Catholic-Jewish relations than any of his predecessors. This volume documents and analyzes the Pontiff’s remarkable relationship with the Jewish people. Its chapters, written by leading Catholic and Jewish thinkers, exemplify inter-religious dialogue at its best. -- Jonathan D. Sarna, Brandeis University
Brotherly relations between Jews and Christians are essential in our world today where strife and discord among various religions so prevails. This book is, then, a substantial, timely and welcomed contribution that positively advances this fraternal dialogue between Jews and Christians today. -- Thomas G. Weinandy, O.F.M., Cap., Capuchin College
The deep respect and even admiration that many Jewish persons have expressed for the papacy of John Paul II is grounded in his tireless efforts to mend the terrible wound of Christian anti-Semitism. In this volume the reader is granted an in depth account of what animated the thought of this remarkable Pope. For his love for the Jewish people was not an idiosyncrasy of his own person but an expression of what he believed was a deep, but sadly obscured, truth of the Christian faith. -- Gary Anderson, Notre Dame University
This remarkable book exemplifies the wisdom of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel who said, ‘Interfaith dialogue begins with faith.’ In these pages, the deepest differences are not ignored but respectfully engaged and imaginatively explored. -- Reverend Richard John Neuhaus, editor in chief of First Things
These essays ask the right questions and probe for satisfying answers. American Catholic Studies, December 2008
A valuable book of essays. First Things
This is an important tribute to the late Pope, who exemplified amity and respect between irreducible claims of Jews and Catholics to heal centuries of teaching of contempt and suspicion. American Reference Books Annual, March 2009

David G. Dalin is an ordained rabbi and professor of history and politics at Ave Maria University in Florida. Matthew Levering is associate professor of theology at Ave Maria University in Florida.

The twentieth century will forever be marked by the horrific event of the Shoah. As a young man, the future John Paul II witnessed this horror during the Nazi occupation of Poland. His pontificate achieved a number of groundbreaking steps in the Catholic Church's relationship with the Jewish people. This book both reflects upon John Paul II's achievements, and seeks to continue the theological and philosophical dialogue that he cherished. By examining together the words and deeds of John Paul II, eminent Jewish and Catholic scholars exemplify in this volume the dialogue that John Paul fostered. Together, Jews and Catholics can encourage each other in the tasks of knowing the Creator, living a life worthy of the created dignity that human beings possess, and defending the vulnerable among us. As Dostoevsky warned before the horrors of the twentieth century, without God, anything is permitted. Following in the footsteps of John Paul II, we discover that our search for meaning and truth is one that needs to be undertaken arm-in-arm. Contributors include Hadley Arkes, David G. Dalin, Robert P. George, Matthew Levering, Bruce Marshall, David Novak, Michael Novak, Gregory Vall, and George Weigel.

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