A rabbi and a priest walk onto a plane
Rabbi Yaakov Glasman recently travelled to Jerusalem with Catholic Archbishop Peter Comensoli. He describes how the trip has enhanced what was already an enduring friendship.
It is commonly said that you don’t know who your real friends are until your chips are down. Over the past few months, the Australian Jewish community’s chips have been down. Encouragingly, one of this country’s most influential religious leaders has been an incredible friend both to me personally and indeed to our whole community.
Immediately following the horrific October 7 Hamas-led terrorist attack, Melbourne’s Catholic Archbishop Peter Comensoli phoned me to express his deep concern for the welfare of the Jewish community. He asked how he could support our community and I told him that later that week there would be a commemorative gathering in Caulfield Park, and that his attendance would be deeply appreciated. He attended and lit a candle in memory of the victims alongside politicians and other communal leaders.
Later that month the archbishop attended my shule in St Kilda where he spoke beautifully during the kiddush, imparting words of support and solidarity with our community. Shortly thereafter, he phoned me again to say that words are not enough, and he wanted to do something tangible to show his support. He wrote a powerful letter decrying antisemitism, which was published in the Herald Sun, and which he instructed be read from the pulpits of all 200 Victorian Catholic churches under his jurisdiction.
When he indicated to me last month that he wanted to travel to Jerusalem with me on a solidarity pilgrimage, it was a no-brainer for me.
While there, we prayed together at the Western Wall and together we visited some of the holy sites in Jerusalem. As representatives of the Jewish and Christian faiths, we walked side by side in friendship and brotherhood. It was a moment in my life that I will never forget, and one I feel will enhance Jewish-Christian relationships here in Australia. I was honoured to have represented the Australian Jewish community for this deeply meaningful mission to Israel.
Of the many observations we made during our time together in Jerusalem, one that truly stands out, is the disgraceful and dishonest mischaracterisation of Israel as an “apartheid” state. Together, the archbishop and I witnessed firsthand the vibrant coexistence of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths. In Jerusalem, open prayers from these communities occur in close proximity. At the Western Wall, a sacred site for Jews, the Muslim call to prayer from the nearby Al-Aqsa Mosque can be heard. I personally accompanied the archbishop to some of the holy sites in the Christian faith.
We also visited the Augusta Victoria hospital in East Jerusalem to see firsthand Project Rozana at work, where Jewish, Christian and Muslim doctors from both Israeli and Palestinian backgrounds work together to provide outstanding healthcare to those in need. It simply beggars belief how so many people who have never stepped foot inside Israel could be gullible enough to consume the hateful and libellous rhetoric Israel haters spew into the online stratosphere.
Indeed, the visit to Augusta was a profound experience that left us both deeply inspired by the dedication and expertise of the hospital’s leadership and personnel. From the moment we arrived, it was evident that Project Rozana, founded by Hadassah Australia’s Ron Finkel, is a beacon of hope and healing. The common goals and values shared by the doctors, nurses and staff, and the welcoming atmosphere they created for us, set the tone for what would be an enlightening and moving day. When we were greeted by the hospital’s leadership, whose passion for their work was immediately apparent, it brought a sense of hope and optimism to us which is so deeply appreciated during this time of war.
On the same day we visited Hadassah Hospital’s Gandel Rehabilitation Centre, the only acute rehabilitation facility in Jerusalem serving the needs of the 1.25 million residents of the city and the surrounding area. As we toured the centre, we had the privilege of meeting various members of the hospital staff. Each individual we encountered shared a common trait: a profound dedication to their patients’ wellbeing. It was clear that this dedication went beyond mere duty; it was a calling. The staff’s compassion and professionalism were palpable, and their stories of resilience and triumph over adversity were both humbling and inspiring.
Archbishop Comensoli and I were particularly moved by the stories of patients who had made significant strides in their recovery. Hearing firsthand accounts of how the rehabilitation centre had transformed their lives was a powerful reminder of the impact that dedicated healthcare professionals can have. These success stories were a testament to the centre’s innovative treatments and the unwavering support provided by the staff.
We met with Ziv, one of the patients who was serving as an IDF solder near the Lebanon border when he was severely injured by a Hezbollah drone attack. He described his survival as a “miracle”. The personalised care and attention he said he received from his time in the hospital and then in acute rehabilitation, was incredible, and it was heartening to see the progress that he was making. In our discussions with the hospital’s leadership, we learned about their ongoing efforts to enhance their services and reach even more patients in need. Their vision for the future includes expanding their facilities and integrating new technologies to further improve patient outcomes. Archbishop Comensoli and I were both inspired by their forward-thinking approach and commitment to excellence.
The following day, we visited Yad Vashem. This visit was both harrowing and empowering, leaving an indelible mark on us both. From the outset, the solemnity of Yad Vashem’s memorial to the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust was palpable. Walking through the exhibits, we were confronted with the stark reality of human cruelty and the depths of suffering endured. The detailed accounts, photographs and personal artefacts brought to life the unimaginable horrors faced by the victims. It was a sobering reminder of the importance of remembering and educating future generations about this dark chapter in history.
Although the archbishop had visited Yad Vashem before, we still spent hours there. Both the archbishop and his chief of staff read every single exhibit meticulously. Learning, understanding, absorbing. I felt like they really immersed themselves in the moment. I shared with them the stories of all four of my grandparents, who survived the Shoah but lost their entire families. The archbishop was visibly moved by what he had seen.
However, amid the sadness, there was also a powerful sense of resilience and hope. The stories of survivors who rebuilt their lives and the acts of courage by those Righteous Among the Nations who risked everything to save others were profoundly inspiring. These narratives highlighted the strength of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Archbishop Comensoli and I left Yad Vashem with a renewed commitment to promote tolerance, compassion, and understanding in our communities. Our visit reinforced the importance of standing against hatred and bigotry, ensuring that such atrocities never happen again. It was an experience that deeply moved us, emphasising both the weight of history and the enduring power of hope and humanity.
In addition to visiting the Jewish holy sites, we also visited the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and met with Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa. The cardinal holds a very senior role within the Christian community in Jerusalem. We discussed the significant challenges his community was facing as a result of the ongoing war, and shared perspectives about how to best navigate these challenges.
Most importantly, we strengthened one another with prayers and messages of hope for a brighter future. I felt that it was critically important to not only expose the archbishop to a deeper understanding of Judaism and the Jewish holy sites of the holy city, but to also learn from him and to better understand the archbishop’s world. It was a genuinely and mutually beneficial educational experience for us both.
In conclusion, our joint “pilgrimage” to the holy city of Jerusalem will forever be etched in my mind as one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. I am truly grateful to the archbishop for the friendship he has shown the Australian Jewish community and for visiting Israel with me on this important solidarity mission, and I am especially grateful to my beloved St Kilda Shule for enabling me to be there.
Rabbi Yaakov Glasman is rabbi of St Kilda Hebrew Congregation in Melbourne.
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