Insightful and Thought-Provoking Programs On Tap

By Yvonne Holtzman, Co-chair, Catholic-Jewish Dialogue

Now in our 24th year, the Catholic-Jewish Dialogue of Collier County is returning with another season of insightful, uplifting and thought-provoking programs in 2025-26.

Kristallnacht Commemoration Program

Join us Sunday, Nov. 9, 2:30 p.m. at Temple Shalom (4630 Pine Ridge Road) as we explore the roots of the Holocaust and reflect on how its lessons resonate today. Together, we’ll consider how the past may be echoing in the present. We remember and honor the 6 million lives lost and pledge to create a world where such atrocities can never happen again.

This is a free community event, with light refreshments. Please sign up in advance so we can plan accordingly. To register, visit bit.ly/4nfs2GJ.

Nostra Aetate 60th Anniversary Symposium

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the landmark document known as Nostra Aetate (In Our Time), which was the result of Jewish and Catholic collaboration during the Second Vatican Council.

This two-day program — Saturday, Dec. 6, 2 p.m. at Ave Maria University and Sunday, Dec. 7, 2 p.m. at Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center (4720 Pine Ridge Road) — brings together a panel of distinguished theologians and professors from across North America to discuss the landmark document that changed 20 centuries of Catholic-Jewish relations, and its impact on our lives.

In Our Time calls for interfaith dialogue to promote a better understanding of each other’s faith, emphasizes the spiritual connection of humanity, promotes a mutual respect among all religions, and rejects all forms of discrimination and antisemitism.

The symposium is a collaboration of the Catholic-Jewish Dialogue of Collier County, the Jewish Community Relations Council of JFGN, and Ave Maria University.

In that spirit, we are presenting the same program on two consecutive days: first at Ave Maria, a Catholic institution; and the following day at the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples.

Confirmed speakers include Bishop Frank Dewane, Diocese of Venice; Dr. Mathew Tapie, director of the St. Leo University Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies; Dr. Robert Ventresca, interim president, King’s University College; and Rabbi James Rudin, retired director of interfaith relations, American Jewish Committee.

This is a free community event. Please sign up in advance so we can plan accordingly. To register, visit Jewish Naples.org/NoestraAetate60.

Uncomfortable Conversations with a Catholic and a Jew

Join Catholic-Jewish Dialogue members Larry Hermalyn and Dick Surrusco on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, 2:30 p.m. at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center (4720 Pine Ridge Road) for this program.

Uncomfortable conversations don't only occur around the Thanksgiving table; they occur every day and everywhere. We live in a time of uncomfortable conversations — conversations that strike at the core of who we are, and who we understand ourselves to be, walking the planet with those who follow different paths.

This program will attempt to have a dialogue, a listening conversation, on topics ranging from antisemitism to Zionism, from patriarchal clericalism and pedophilia in the Catholic church. Bigotry toward one group is never isolated — if one is at risk, so are we all. It is only through talking and listening with open hearts that we can come to a sense of our shared humanity and dignity. Registration opens soon.

Interfaith Marriage: A Candid Conversation

Join Catholic-Jewish Dialogue members Dean Garfinkel and Donna Poach on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2:30 p.m. at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center (4720 Pine Ridge Road). Registration opens soon.