Agudath and Notre Dame Share History and Respect on Israeli Trip

Over the years, the two congregations have worshiped together, collaborated on social action projects, and have come together to both celebrate happy occasions and to help heal the community during the dark days following September 11, 2001.

Now and have further deepened their bond and their shared religious background with a historic trip to Israell.

The trip commemorates important events in each , with Agudath celebrating its 90th anniversary and Notre Dame commemorating its 50th anniversary.

Led by Agudath Israel's Rabbi Alan Silverstein and Education Director Susan Werk and Notre Dame Pastor Rev. Anthony J. Randazzo, the week-long trip began on January 29 and included members of both congregations.

For many participants, the chance to travel to historic sites sacred in both religions added significantly to the pilgrimage.

As Randazzo noted in a recent Notre Dame bulletin, "Jews and Catholics want to know more about each other.  From Nazareth on the first day to the Dead Sea Scrolls on the last day, we were getting a better idea on why our respective faith traditions do certain things."

Daily highlights of the trip were recorded and posted on You Tube.