Joseph Kelly, a local religion scholar and longtime activist in Jewish-Catholic relations, has released a book chronicling the history of dialogue involving Rochester’s Jewish and Roman Catholic communities.
Behold How Good It Is: Jews and Catholics in Rochester examines a spirit of cooperation dating back to the mid-1800s that has seen local Jews and Catholics become national leaders in attaining deeper relations. In 1996 leaders from both faiths signed the Rochester Agreement, which is believed to be the world’s first formal pledge of mutual cooperation between a Catholic diocese and a Jewish community.
Kelly served as professor of Hebrew scriptures at the former St. Bernard’s Seminary and is professor emeritus of religious studies at Nazareth College. His new book may be purchased for $15 at St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry, 120 French Road, Pittsford.
The book was underwritten by the Brennan Goldman Institute for Jewish-Catholic Understanding and Dialogue located at St. Bernard’s.
