The Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies condemns the antisemitic attack on Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, TX, which occurred on Saturday, January 15th, 2022. The assailant held four members of the congregation hostage and uttered discredited antisemitic conspiracy theories. No members of Congregation Beth Israel were hurt.
We are horrified by another attack on a synagogue in the United States. Jews are consistently the most targeted religious community in the U.S. We recall that the Catholic Church condemns discrimination or harassment of any human person because of religion or race. In particular, the Church “decries...displays of anti-Semitism directed against Jews by anyone and at any time (Nostra Aetate 4).” As the Council of Centers on Jewish-Christian Relations has stated: "There is never any political or social justification for targeting individuals and communities because of who they are."
Our prayers are with the Colleyville Jewish community as well as our Jewish neighbors in Tampa Bay who frequently partner with the CCJS to host interreligious events in their synagogues. These neighbors demonstrate incredible courage as they welcome members of the community into their sacred places of worship amidst record levels of antisemitic incidents. To our Jewish brothers and sisters: you are not alone.
The CCJS was founded on the teachings of Nostra Aetate. Since all human persons are created in the image of God, “No foundation…remains for any theory or practice that leads to discrimination between man and man or people and people, so far as their human dignity and the rights flowing from it are concerned (Nostra Aetate 5).” We encourage members of the Catholic community to show solidarity with our Jewish neighbors by sending messages of support, and learning about the danger of antisemitic conspiracy theories.
The CCJS is committed to promoting mutual respect, knowledge, and understanding through dialogue, study, and teaching.
