This undated photo provided by Vanderbilt University on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, shows Amy-Jill Levine, the first Jewish president of the Catholic Biblical Association of America. (Daniel DuBois/Vanderbilt University via AP)
\n\nWhen Amy-Jill Levine was a child in Massachusetts, a schoolmate in her predominantly Catholic hometown told her she was guilty of killing Christ because she was Jewish.
\n\nHer mother reassured her that wasn’t the case — and instead of being embittered by the encounter, the young Levine began attending a Catholic catechism class to learn more about her Christian neighbors and their beliefs.
\n\nThat blossomed into a decades-long academic career in an unusual role — a Jewish scholar of Christian Scriptures. Levine has worked to improve how Christians and her fellow Jews understand each other. She’s spoken at many churches and taught students about the ancient Jewish context of Jesus’ life and teachings. She’s written numerous books, some in tandem with Christian scholars; she and a co-author even presented one book personally to Pope Francis.
\n\nBut after the Catholic Biblical Association of America announced earlier this month that Levine was elected its first-ever Jewish president, an antisemitic backlash began.
\n\nDenunciations appeared in the posts and replies on social media…
Original source: https://apnews.com/business