Sister Rose Thering, a lifelong advocate for improving interfaith relations between Catholics and Jews, died May 5 at the age of 85.

Thering grew up in the largely Catholic town of Plain, Wis., and joined the religious community of the Sisters of St. Dominic at the age of 16. During her doctoral studies at Saint Louis University, she examined how Catholic teaching regards other religious faiths, particularly Judaism. Her research into antisemitism in the church influenced “Nostra Aetate,” the groundbreaking document issued by the Second Vatican Council in 1965. The document formally exculpated the Jewish people in the death of Jesus.

In 1968, Thering started an educational outreach program in Jewish-Christian studies at Seton Hall University, making regular trips to Israel and Europe to spread her message of tolerance and interfaith dialogue. She was a prominent advocate for Holocaust education and remembrance, in addition to serving as a national leader in the campaign to free Soviet Jewry.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

The 2004 documentary film “Sister Rose’s Passion” chronicled her fight against antisemitism and was nominated for an Academy Award. Thering was honored with numerous awards from various Jewish organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee. In 1992, Seton Hall University created the Sister Rose Thering Endowment for Jewish-Christian Studies.

Thering is survived by two brothers and four sisters.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount