Lux Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies

Home
United States
Hales Corners, WI
Lux Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies

The Center also benefits the larger community by offering programs, lectures, and resources that promote Catholic-Jewish understanding and dialogue.

The Lux Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology is dedicated to building enduring bridges between the Catholic and Jewish communities through education, dialogue, and shared experiences. Established in 2010 to honor Dr. Richard Lux's lifelong work to promote common understanding and respect between Catholics and Jews, The Lux Center strives to instill the

knowledge, understanding, and skills to advance interreligious dialogue in future Catholic priests and religious leaders. Located in Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology, it is the only seminary-based center for Catholic-Jewish studies in North America.

04/15/2026

This afternoon, The Lux Center had the privilege of hosting a powerful and thought-provoking lecture by Samantha Abramson, Executive Director of the Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center

In her presentation, Samantha guided us through the historical background of the Holocaust, its development, and the difficult but necessary questions surrounding its lessons, both those that have been learned and those that still challenge us today. She also addressed the complex role of the Catholic Church during this period, offering a nuanced and meaningful perspective that invited reflection and dialogue.

At a time of rising antisemitism and hatred, this conversation felt especially urgent. Samantha’s work through HERC continues to play a vital role in educating communities across Wisconsin and ensuring that the memory and lessons of the Holocaust remain alive and relevant.

We are deeply grateful to Samantha for her insight, clarity, and courage in leading this important conversation.

Thank you as well to all who attended and contributed through thoughtful engagement and participation.

03/18/2026

This week, we had the privilege of hosting a powerful and important lecture by Miryam Rosenzweig, President and CEO of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation.

In her presentation on antisemitism, Miryam offered a thoughtful and comprehensive exploration of its historical roots, its evolving forms across time, and the different ways it manifests today. She also provided valuable tools for identifying antisemitism in its various expressions and for responding to it with clarity, responsibility, and moral courage.

We are deeply grateful to Miryam for her openness, insight, and commitment to education and dialogue.

A special thank you as well to our seminarians, whose active participation, thoughtful questions, and genuine engagement made the session especially meaningful.

Moments like these reflect the importance of learning together and continuing to build understanding across communities.

Jewish Community Relations Council - Milwaukee

03/12/2026

This morning’s Bagels with Lux gathering was another wonderful reminder of the power of conversation and community. We were delighted by the strong turnout of members of the Jewish community who made their way to the seminary, and by the great engagement of seminarians, faculty, and staff who joined the breakfast.
Around the different roundtables, lively and thoughtful discussions unfolded, touching on faith, tradition, current events, and the many shared questions that bring our communities together. The energy in the room reflected exactly what Bagels with Lux is meant to create: a welcoming space where people can meet, learn from one another, and build meaningful relationships.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to such a warm, engaging, and fascinating morning of dialogue.

03/11/2026

Today we had the pleasure of hosting a fascinating lecture by Noa Fuchs Gerassi, the Israeli Emissary to the Jewish community of Milwaukee, who spoke about “Israeli Society Today.”

Noa offered a thoughtful and engaging look into the complex fabric of Israeli society, often described as a collection of many “tribes” shaped by different cultures, religious traditions, and histories from across the Jewish world. She explored how these diverse communities come together to form one society, the shared values and experiences that serve as the “glue” holding it together, and the tensions and debates that are also part of Israel’s vibrant democratic life.

We were grateful for the great turnout of students, staff, and faculty who joined the lecture and contributed to the conversation with thoughtful questions and reflections. Moments like these help deepen understanding of Israel beyond the headlines and strengthen the meaningful dialogue that The Lux Center seeks to cultivate

03/05/2026

Who's joining us for the last "Bagels with Lux" gathering of this school year, next Thursday?

02/27/2026

📖 Word of the Week: Emunah (אמונה)

Often translated as “faith,” emunah in Hebrew means something deeper: trust, reliability, and faithfulness rooted in relationship.

In Deuteronomy 32:4, God is called El Emunah, a God of faithfulness, reminding us that faith begins with God’s steadfast presence toward humanity.

As we approach Purim and the story of Esther, where God’s name never appears openly, we are reminded that faith often lives דווקא in moments of hiddenness. Esther and Mordechai act without certainty, teaching us that faith is not always about miracles, but about courage, trust, and responsibility when the path forward is unclear.

May this week invite us to cultivate resilience, trust, and hope, even when meaning is not immediately visible.

02/25/2026

This afternoon, The Lux Center had the pleasure of hosting a wonderful and inspiring guest lecture by Cantor Jeremy Stein of Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid in Glendale.

In his presentation, “The Jewish Cantor,” Cantor Stein invited participants into the rich world of Jewish liturgy and synagogue life, guiding us through the journey of the cantor’s calling, formation, and vocation. With openness and warmth, he shared not only knowledge but personal experience, offering a meaningful glimpse into the spiritual and pastoral role of the cantor within Jewish tradition.

What made the session especially memorable was the active participation of the audience. Thoughtful questions, genuine curiosity, and lively dialogue created an atmosphere of shared learning and encounter. Cantor Stein’s willingness to demonstrate cantorial singing brought the tradition to life, allowing participants to experience Jewish prayer not only intellectually but also musically and spiritually.

We are deeply grateful to Cantor Stein for his generosity, insight, and beautiful sharing of tradition, and to all who joined and contributed to such an engaging afternoon of learning together.

02/16/2026

Last Wednesday, we were honored to welcome two leaders who stand at the heart of The Lux Center’s mission: Rabbi Steven Adams, Chairman of The Lux Center Board, and Dr. Charles Hughes-Huff, Vice Chair. Together, they reflected on Nostra Aetate, the landmark document that transformed Catholic Jewish relations and continues to shape interfaith engagement around the world.

This conversation explored why Nostra Aetate still matters today, how it has inspired generations of religious leaders, and how it gave birth to the vision behind The Lux Center itself. Rabbi Adams and Dr. Hughes-Huff each approached the topic from their own faith perspective, offering a rare and meaningful opportunity to hear this foundational text through both Jewish and Christian lenses.

02/04/2026

We were grateful for a powerful and timely conversation today with Moshe Katz, Chairman of the Jewish Community Foundation and a long time board member of The Lux Center. The room was filled with students, staff, and faculty who showed up in great numbers and engaged deeply with the lecture and the discussion that followed.

Moshe’s talk sparked meaningful and honest conversations about the future of Catholic Jewish relations, the troubling rise of antisemitism in the United States, and the shared responsibility of faith communities to respond with courage, solidarity, and hope. The thoughtful questions and active participation in the room reflected a real commitment to learning, listening, and building relationships across faith lines.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this gathering such an enriching and impactful moment for our community.

01/29/2026

What a wonderful afternoon we shared yesterday at the seminary with an inspiring talk by Rabbi Steven Adams, Chairman of the Board of The Lux Center, on The Ten Commandments from a Jewish perspective. We were grateful for the strong turnout of students, staff, and faculty, who filled the room and enriched the conversation with thoughtful questions, active participation, and meaningful insights. Rabbi Adams offered a deep and engaging exploration of the place of the Ten Commandments within Jewish tradition, their historical reception, and the similarities and differences between Jewish and Catholic understandings. Moments like these remind us how powerful learning and dialogue can be when curiosity, respect, and genuine engagement are at the center.

Address

7335 S. Highway 100
Hales Corners, WI
53130

Website

http://luxcenter.shsst.edu/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Lux Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Place Of Worship

Send a message to Lux Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies:

Shortcuts

Want your place of worship to be the top-listed Place Of Worship in Hales Corners?