Our Vision
To strengthen the living relationship between Catholics and the Jewish people.
Our Mission
The Lux Center works to strengthen the living relationship between Catholics and the Jewish people by equipping seminarians with tools and knowledge they need to present an accurate understanding of Judaism, promote a positive understanding of Catholic-Jewish relations, and engage in interreligious activities in their congregations after ordination. We also offer programs, lectures, and study materials to promote understanding and dialogue among scholars, with the people of southeastern Wisconsin, and beyond.
What We Do
The Lux Center — as a program within a seminary — is uniquely positioned to improve interreligious understanding:
– Dedicated faculty position in Jewish studies
– Seminarian study trips in Israel
– Public lectures, seminars and discussions with renowned scholars
– Annual seminary-hosted symposium on Catholic-Jewish relations
– Seminary events recognizing Jewish holidays, liturgy and history
– Speakers’ bureau for churches and synagogues
– Provide specialty classes on topics of interest
– Opportunities for interreligious dialogue
– Library with extensive Judaica and interreligious studies collection
– Holocaust resources and commemoration events
Upcoming Events
“Was Jesus’ Last Supper a Passover Meal? New Insights from Qumran” A Lux Center Presentation
Sunday, February 19, 2023
At Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid
(6880 N. Green Bay Ave, Milwaukee 53209)
For more information and to register, click here.
2023 Lux Center Spring Public Lecture
“Jewish Sects in the New Testament”
Dr. Malka Z. Simkovich,
Crown-Ryan Chair of Jewish Studies and the director of the Catholic-Jewish Studies program at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago
For more information and to register, click here.
Palm Sunday Presentation
“Remembering the Jewishness of Jesus as We Begin Holy Week”
Sunday, April 02, 2023 | 2:00pm-3:30pm
St. Joseph Center, 1501 S. Layton Blvd (27th St ), Milwaukee. Parking available next to and behind the building. No registration required.
Jon M. Sweeney,
Codirector, The Lux Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology; author of many books including Jesus Wasn’t Killed by the Jews (Orbis)
St. Joseph Center’s mission is to provide working poor families, as well as homeless men, women, and children of all ages with the inner resources and tools to become productive, stable, and self-supporting members of the community. The Center was founded by two Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in a small storefront on Rose Avenue in 1976. It has always served those in need without distinction and without precondition. They became a separately incorporated non-profit organization in 1987, but retain an affiliation with the Sisters as a sponsored institution.
Recent Webinars
“Why Catholics Need to Know about the Holocaust: Implications for Today’s World”
Jewish Studies Seminar for Christians: The Jewish People and the Church Webinar Series
On Wednesday, January 19, The Lux Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies invited Tim Crain, Ph.D. to speak on the topic “Why Catholics Need to Know about the Holocaust: Implications for Today’s World” at the first session of the winter webinar series. Dr. Crain is a well-known historian and speaker and was a professor and director of the National Catholic Center for Holocaust Education at Seton Hill University.
