Jesuit Kaddish

Jesuits, Jews, and Holocaust Remembrance

By James Bernauer SJ | Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press

About the book

Jesuit Kaddish is a long overdue study that examines Jesuit hostility toward Judaism before the Shoah and the development of a new understanding of the Catholic Church’s relation to Judaism that culminated with Vatican II’s landmark decree Nostra aetate.

While much has been written about the Catholic Church and the Holocaust, little has been published about the hostile role of priests, in particular Jesuits, toward Jews and Judaism. James Bernauer undertakes a self-examination as a member of the Jesuit order and writes this story in the hopes that it will contribute to interreligious reconciliation. Jesuit Kaddish demonstrates the way Jesuit hostility operated, examining Jesuit moral theology’s dualistic approach to sexuality and, in the case of Nazi Germany, the articulation of an unholy alliance between a sexualizing and a Judaizing of German culture. Bernauer then identifies an influential group of Jesuits whose thought and action contributed to the developments in Catholic teaching about Judaism that eventually led to the watershed moment of Nostra aetate.

Bernauer concludes with a proposed statement of repentance from the Jesuits and an appendix presenting the sixteen Jesuits who have been honored as “Righteous Among the Nations” by Israel’s Yad Vashem Holocaust Center. His book represents a crucial contribution to the fields of Catholicism and Nazism, Catholic-Jewish relations, Jesuit history, and the history of anti-Semitism in Europe.

Editions of Jesuit Kaddish

Hardcover
ISBN 2019054898
Hardcover
ISBN 9780268107017
Hardcover
ISBN 9780268107048
Paperback
ISBN 9780268107024
EBook
ISBN 9780268107031

Read an Excerpt

Jesuit Kaddish is a long overdue study that examines Jesuit hostility toward Judaism before the Shoah and the development of a new understanding of the Catholic Church’s relation to Judaism that culminated with Vatican II’s landmark decree Nostra aetate.

While much has been written about the Catholic Church and the Holocaust, little has been published about the hostile role of priests, in particular Jesuits, toward Jews and Judaism. James Bernauer undertakes a self-examination as a member of the Jesuit order and writes this story in the hopes that it will contribute to interreligious reconciliation. Jesuit Kaddish demonstrates the way Jesuit hostility operated, examining Jesuit moral theology’s dualistic approach to sexuality and, in the case of Nazi Germany, the articulation of an unholy alliance between a sexualizing and a Judaizing of German culture. Bernauer then identifies an influential group of Jesuits whose thought and action contributed to the developments in Catholic teaching about Judaism that eventually led to the watershed moment of Nostra aetate.

Bernauer concludes with a proposed statement of repentance from the Jesuits and an appendix presenting the sixteen Jesuits who have been honored as “Righteous Among the Nations” by Israel’s Yad Vashem Holocaust Center. His book represents a crucial contribution to the fields of Catholicism and Nazism, Catholic-Jewish relations, Jesuit history, and the history of anti-Semitism in Europe.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Jesuit Kaddish about?

Jesuit Kaddish is a long overdue study that examines Jesuit hostility toward Judaism before the Shoah and the development of a new understanding of the Catholic Church’s relation to Judaism that culminated with Vatican II’s landmark decree Nostra aetate.

While much has been written about the Catholic Church and the Holocaust, little has been published about the hostile role of priests, in particular Jesuits, toward Jews and Judaism. James Bernauer undertakes a self-examination as a member of the Jesuit order and writes this story in the hopes that it will contribute to interreligious reconciliation. Jesuit Kaddish demonstrates the way Jesuit hostility operated, examining Jesuit moral theology’s dualistic approach to sexuality and, in the case of Nazi Germany, the articulation of an unholy alliance between a sexualizing and a Judaizing of German culture. Bernauer then identifies an influential group of Jesuits whose thought and action contributed to the developments in Catholic teaching about Judaism that eventually led to the watershed moment of Nostra aetate.

Bernauer concludes with a proposed statement of repentance from the Jesuits and an appendix presenting the sixteen Jesuits who have been honored as “Righteous Among the Nations” by Israel’s Yad Vashem Holocaust Center. His book represents a crucial contribution to the fields of Catholicism and Nazism, Catholic-Jewish relations, Jesuit history, and the history of anti-Semitism in Europe.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Jesuit Kaddish?

History and Archaeology > History > History: specific events and topics > Violence, intolerance and persecution in history

Where can I read a sample of Jesuit Kaddish?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/2019054898

How long is Jesuit Kaddish and how many pages does it have?

Jesuit Kaddish has 220 page(s)

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Jesuit Kaddish?

James Bernauer SJ

Who is the Publisher of the book Jesuit Kaddish?

University of Notre Dame Press

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Jesuit Kaddish is available as hardcover(ISBN 2019054898) and hardcover(ISBN 9780268107017) and hardcover(ISBN 9780268107048) and paperback(ISBN 9780268107024) and ebook(ISBN 9780268107031)

Where can I buy Jesuit Kaddish online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Jesuit Kaddish from below

Where can I buy Jesuit Kaddish?