By Jonah McKeown

St. Louis, Mo., Apr 17, 2025 / 10:54 am

Raised in a conservative Jewish household in New York, David Moss had his bar mitzvah at age 13. In his heart, though, he had lost his faith in Judaism.

What followed was a 23-year period of searching for religious truth and life’s meaning, culminating in a dramatic mystical conversion experience that led Moss to embrace the Catholic faith in 1979.

Despite being a happy and committed Catholic today, Moss, 83, has not left his Jewish identity and heritage behind. He is the longtime president of the Association of Hebrew Catholics (AHC), a St. Louis-based group that seeks to provide a welcoming place for Jewish converts to Catholicism and encourage them to preserve their Jewish identity.

When he entered the Church in the 1970s, “I still had a ton to learn. I knew very little … especially how [Catholicism] connected to my Jewish origins. The going narrative was that my Judaism was finished, over,” Moss told CNA.

Amid his own reading and research, Moss encountered Father Elias Friedman, a Carmelite friar and founder of the AHC, who he says helped him to understand that rather than obliterating his Jewish identity, “Catholicism is Judaism in its developed, fulfilled form.”

“It’s like a child that becomes an adult. The adult doesn’t replace the child. The adult and the child are one reality. They’re just the different phases of their existence,” Moss said of his understanding of the relationship between Catholicism and Judaism.

Exploring the Intersection of Judaism and Catholicism: The Unique Ministry of the Association of Hebrew Catholics

While not an official organ of the Church, the Association of Hebrew Catholics (AHC) mirrors the ministry of the St. James Vicariate, an association for Hebrew Catholics in the Holy Land. Founded in 1955, the St. James Vicariate serves about a thousand Catholic faithful living in Israel who are immersed in a Hebrew cultural and linguistic environment.

When David Moss became president of the AHC in 1993, he began inviting his Catholic friends to celebrate the Passover Seder with him and his family in his home. Notably, he once hosted Cardinal Raymond Burke, the archbishop of St. Louis, for this celebration.

Moss shared that many “Hebrew Catholics” continue to practice aspects of Judaism, such as observing the Passover Seder, celebrating Shabbat (the Sabbath), and even visiting the synagogue. He emphasized that these practices do not contradict Catholicism but rather enrich it, as they are all part of God’s plan.

Regarding the intersection of Judaism and Catholicism, Moss highlighted the importance of aligning with established Catholic doctrine and discipline while navigating theological questions. He emphasized the need to respect both traditions while awaiting further theological clarity.

The Church’s View on Judaism

Since the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, the Catholic Church has emphasized the common spiritual heritage shared by Jews and Christians. The Church has condemned any attempts to blame the Jewish people for the death of Jesus and reaffirmed that the Old Covenant has never been revoked, despite the New Covenant brought by Christ.

The relationship between the Catholic Church and Judaism is a complex and nuanced one, rooted in centuries of history and theological reflection. Despite their theological differences, the Church recognizes the Jews as God’s chosen people, a belief that is central to both faith traditions.

One of the key documents shaping the Church’s stance on Judaism is Nostra Aetate, written by St. Paul VI in 1965. This document emphasizes the common spiritual heritage shared by Christians and Jews and calls for mutual understanding and respect. It condemns hatred and violence against Jews and clarifies that the Jewish people as a whole are not responsible for Christ’s death.

In 1985, the Congregation for Promoting Christian Unity released a document affirming the “permanent reality of the Jewish people.” Drawing from a speech by St. John Paul II, the document highlights the deep connection between Jews and Christians at the level of their identity. Understanding the faith and religious practices of the Jewish people can enhance our comprehension of the Church’s life.

Furthermore, a 1988 document from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops emphasizes the importance of presenting Jews and Judaism accurately in Catholic preaching. It underscores the need for respectful dialogue and mutual learning between the two faith traditions.

Overall, these documents reflect the Church’s commitment to fostering positive relations with Judaism and recognizing the enduring significance of the Jewish people in God’s plan. Through dialogue, understanding, and respect, Catholics and Jews can work towards a more harmonious and mutually enriching relationship. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for more insightful content on religious dialogue and interfaith relations.



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