Our Impact

“Theological dialogue between the religions is critical to prevent misunderstanding each other’s beliefs and doctrines as well as exposing any misconceptions we may have. It is only through dialogue that we can learn something about the other, not just in some kind of abstract statement in a book but in a mutual give and take between human beings.”                                                                                             – Rabbi Jack Bemporad 

Rabbi Bemporad receives the John Paul II Award

Through the CIU, Rabbi Bemporad has:

  • Received the “Faith in Action Award” for Pioneering Leadership from The International Center for Religion and Diplomacy in Washington DC
  • Advised world religious leaders on theological statements and doctrines
  • Negotiated the Prague Accord, the first time the Vatican asked forgiveness of the Jewish people for past acts of anti-Semitism
  • Placed Holocaust Menorahs at the Vatican and in Catholic institutions in Baltimore, Boston, Dallas, Miami and Washington, D.C.
  • Organized two historic anti-genocide tours to Auschwitz, both of which resulted in statements by leading Muslims denouncing Holocaust denial and anti-Semitism.
  • Received the Luminosa Award of the Focolare Movement for Interreligious Leadership
  • Received the Raoul Wallenberg Humanitarian Leadership Award of the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Ramapo College
  • Received the Pave the Way Foundation’s “Inter-religious Dialogue” award

Also visit the The Ollendorff Center