11/03/2022
We have exciting news about Rabbi A. James Rudin the father of our Associate Rabbi, Rabbi Eve Rudin Kleinman.
American Rabbi to Receive High Papal Honor
Third American rabbi and eighth Jew
awarded papal knighthood
Pope Francis will confer upon Rabbi A. James Rudin the Papal Knighthood of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great. Rabbi Rudin will be the third American rabbi and the eighth Jew to receive this Vatican honor since its creation by Pope Gregory XVI nearly 200 years ago. Representing the Pope, Cardinal Seán Patrick O'Malley, archbishop of Boston, will present the knighthood at a ceremony at Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, Florida on Sunday, November 20, 2022.
A distinguished professor of religion and Judaica at Saint Leo University and co-founder of the university's Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies, Rudin is being honored for his career of more than 60 years during which he fostered interreligious relations, dialogue, and understanding. He is the American Jewish Committee’s senior interreligious adviser and previously was the organization’s longtime Interreligious affairs director.
Rudin was a member of the Camp David Presidential Retreat Chapel Committee and co-founded the National Interreligious Task Forces on Soviet Jewry and Black-Jewish Relations. Rabbi Rudin met many times with Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI and was the guest of honor at the 1994 Vatican symphony concert commemorating the Holocaust.
A prolific author, Rudin has written more than a dozen books including his recent memoir, “The People in the Room;” a biography of Rabbi Stephen Wise, “Pillar of Fire” which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize; and “Christians & Jews: Faith to Faith.” Rabbi Rudin is a columnist for Religion News Service and his commentary has appeared in The Washington Post and other media.
In response to this accolade, Rudin said, “I am deeply honored that Pope Francis has affirmed the extraordinary importance of Catholic-Jewish dialogue through this award. That he has continued the Church’s historic commitment to care for the poor and disenfranchised, as my Jewish tradition calls it – tikkun olam – the repair of the world, makes this moment extremely special. I am pleased this ceremony, led by Cardinal Sean O'Malley, will take place at Saint Leo University where building positive Catholic-Jewish relations is an integral part of its mission. I am proud to accept this papal honor while remembering the many colleagues and friends who have been so important on my incredible interreligious journey.”
Rabbi Rudin’s daughter, Rabbi Eve Rudin Kleinman observed, “My father had a front-row seat to all the major developments in Jewish-Christian relations in the second half of the 20th century. I suspect that no other rabbi has traveled as widely or met with as many global religious leaders as
my father.”
Rudin’s longtime colleague at the American Jewish Committee, former CEO David Harris, said, “I can think of no one today more deserving of this immensely prestigious honor than my longtime American Jewish Committee colleague and friend, Rabbi Jim Rudin. He devoted decades of his professional life to deepening cooperation and understanding between the Jewish people and other faith groups, most notably the Catholic Church. The results have been nothing short of historic and can be felt daily across the United States and around the world. A heartfelt mazal tov to Jim on this extraordinary
recognition and very special moment in his life.”
Father John T. Pawlikowski, professor emeritus, Catholic Theological Union in Chicago observed, “Rabbi A. James Rudin has been a pivotal person in the dialogue between Christians and Jews generated by the Second Vatican Council’s declaration Nostra Aetate. He has been at the center of key issues
within the ongoing dialogue…”
Former Florida Congressman Ted Deutch, chief executive officer of the American Jewish Committee noted, “As the longtime director of interreligious affairs at AJC - now the agency’s senior interreligious adviser - Rabbi Rudin represented the Jewish people with strength and dignity in its dialogue with other faith groups at the highest levels. As a prolific author, he demonstrates
singular skill in his introductions to and explanations of Judaism for diverse religious and secular audiences worldwide. Rabbi Rudin inspires us by living the life of an exemplary mensch who continues to be a powerful voice for the Jewish people and a stalwart defender of the State of Israel within and beyond his interreligious sphere.”
Rabbi David Saperstein, director emeritus of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and former US ambassador at-large for international religious freedom said, “Rabbi Rudin’s work in interreligious dialogue helped shape the state of Jewish-Christian relations today — most particularly of Catholic-Jewish relations. He has played an outsized role in bringing people of faith together and fostering a positive future of multifaith cooperation both within the US and globally.”
Rabbi James Rudin was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and grew up in Alexandria, Virginia. He attended Wesleyan University and graduated from George Washington University with academic distinction. He received his rabbinical ordination from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR), and served as a United States Air Force chaplain in Japan and Korea.
The rabbi holds honorary doctorates from Saint Leo University, Saint Martin’s University, and HUC-JIR. He also teaches at Florida Gulf Coast University Renaissance Academy.
Cardinal O’Malley’s office adds that the title of Papal Knight of St. Gregory the Great is the highest honor the Holy Father bestows upon individuals, both Catholics and non-Catholics, in recognition of their significant contributions to society. The Order of St. Gregory the Great was begun by Pope Gregory XVI (1745-1846) in 1831, and named in honor of St. Gregory the Great, who died in 604, and whose writings greatly influenced the Catholic Church.
