Catholic-Jewish Dialogue in the Palm Beaches

On June 24th, members of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County and the Diocese of Palm Beach met at the Pastoral Center in Palm Beach Gardens to pray together, get better acquainted, break bread together, and discuss issues of importance.

Bishop Barbarito

Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito, D.D., bishop of Palm Beach greeted Rabbi Richard Chapin of Temple Israel, West Palm Beach, Mr. Jonathan Gilbert, Chairman of the Jewish Federation, and Dr. Luis Fleishman, Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County along with diocesan representatives Deacon Dennis Demes and Mrs. Lynn Powell of the Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations, Mr. Sandi Martinez, Director of the Tribunal,and Mr. Erik Vagenius, Director of the Substance Addiction ministry.


Cordial exchanges were followed by a discussion of the issues surrounding immigration. Consensus was reached that the United States is in need of comprehensive immigration reform. The panel also agreed that border security is a rightful concern of all governments and needs to be addressed in the United States. "Border security not only protects the United States itself, but individual groups within it" said Dr. Fleischman. Deacon Demes indicated that this was consistent with the call from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Bishops of Mexico in their pastoral Strangers no Longer; Together on the Journey of Hope. This document focused on the larger question of poverty calling on an international effort to create conditions in which people will not have to leave their homelands to migrate elsewhere in desperation for survival. The document also focused on backlogs of visa applications for family visitation, an issue which the discussion at the Pastoral Center did not specifically address. The Bishops recognized a value and need of the labor which migrants provide and Mr. Jonathan Gilbert acknowledged the same here in Palm beach County. The discussion called for broad based legislation to address those who are in the United States and contributing to its national welfare and a continuation of due process.


Rabbi Chapin called for the development of more opportunities for Catholics and Jews to come together in prayer and other forms of fellowship. Deacon Demes agreed to speak to representatives at Catholic Charities who are well versed in immigration law and render assistance to the needy. Follow-up discussions on this and other issues are anticipated and embraced.