There are enough Jews on a Catholic school team to make a problem if they don’t show up?
There are many Jewish kids in Catholic schools around the world. I’m Jewish and I was educated at a Capuchin Franciscan school from grade 2 to 12. That’s how I was introduced to Francis of Assisi. Through him, I was drawn to Catholicism. When I went to Rome to study theology, we had Jewish scholars who taught at our Pontifical Universities. There is a lot of academic exchange between the two communities.
Jewish and Catholic people are actually more compatible and friendlier toward each other than Catholics and Protestants. I have always found that there is a mutual respect.
Obviously, as in every reality of life, there are people who are extremists. We all know that extremism often triggers prejudice, fear, hostility and mistrust.
In many communities, such as where I grew up, Jewish kids are treated very badly in mainstream schools. Parents are forced to find alternatives. Secular private schools can often cost as much as college. Where I’m currently stationed, a secular private school costs $14,000.00+ a year compared to a Catholic school that costs less than $10,000.00. The other alternative is Protestant schools.
As a Jew, my experiences with most Protestant communities has not been positive. Anti-Semitism if not endorsed is overlooked in Protestant communities. Whereas, it is condemned and not tolerated in Catholic communities, including Catholic schools.
When Jewish parents have to choose between a public school where their kids are going to be bullied or where they are going to learn many immoral behaviors and a Catholic school where they will be treated with kindness and be exposed to people who have moral values, Catholic schools win hands down.
The policies in both Jewish and Catholic schools are very similar. If you attend either school, you must attend and pass classes in religious studies. You’re not required to an assent of faith, but you’re required to take the class. They don’t require that you participate in religious rituals, but you’re not excluded either. Most Jewish kids have no problems attending a mass. They politely sit through it. Catholic kids who attend a Hebrew school do the same. They take classes in religious studies and they are invited to rituals; but they are not bullied if they decline.
Parents understand that it’s a Catholic culture. They don’t mind as long as their kids are safe, not bullied, well educated and exposed to people with good moral values.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF
