NEW YORK—Sacred Heart University's Center for Christian-Jewish Understanding (CCJU) in Fairfield, Connecticut, celebrated and honored Mr. Barry Sternlicht (Greenwich, Conn.) and Sister Rose Thering, O.P., at its Tenth Annual Nostra Aetate Awards Dinner on Wednesday evening, November 17. The Nostra Aetate Dinner took place in New York City, at the Park Avenue Synagogue.

“Tonight's distinguished honorees remind us that progress is possible, but it is not achieved without the extraordinary efforts of people whose deep convictions and ethical values drive their vision,” said Rabbi Joseph H. Ehrenkranz, executive director of CCJU.

Among friends and supporters, Rabbi Ehrenkranz presented Mr. Sternlicht with the Tzedaka Award. Mr. Sternlicht, one of the youngest and most respected leaders in the hotel and leisure industry today, is chairman and CEO of Starwood Capital Group and founder of Starwood Hotels.

Dr. Anthony J. Cernera, president of Sacred Heart University extended the Tzedaka Award to Mr. Sternlicht for excellence in charitable giving. Dr. Cernera said, "Although your business accomplishments are extraordinary, your efforts at repairing the world are the reason we celebrate you this evening. You remind us that in both the Jewish and Christian traditions we are responsible for making our world a better place for all God's people."

Rabbi Ehrenkranz explained that Tzedaka, a Hebrew term commonly thought to mean charity, is more accurately translated as righteousness or justice. “Barry's significant deeds in caring for the poor and vulnerable members of society are manifold. I have known Barry since his youth and his example of charitable giving is an inspiration to us all. He has shown, through his outstanding dedication to humanitarian and social justice causes, many compassionate and noteworthy examples of his ability to build bridges of understanding and integrity,” said Rabbi Ehrenkranz.

Sister Rose Thering, O.P., a Dominican sister and professor emerita of Seton Hall University, was also honored at the dinner. As the recipient of the Nostra Aetate Award, Sister Rose was recognized for her outstanding commitment to promoting understanding and respect between religions.

Due to declining health, Sister Rose was unable to attend the evening's celebration, so the award had been presented to her in a special ceremony at Seton Hall University on October 23. The moving ceremony was attended by more than 300 well-wishers.

Dr. David Coppola, associate executive director of CCJU, presented Sister Rose with the award. He noted that the award is particularly meaningful in this 40^th anniversary year of Nostra Aetate.

Nostra Aetate is the 1965 Vatican document that repudiated historic Christian teachings of contempt towards Jews and positively asserted the ongoing validity and common spiritual heritage that Christians and Jews share.

Sister Rose is credited with influencing the Second Vatican Council with her pioneering investigation of Catholic teaching materials about Jews and Judaism. Her research was taken to Vatican II by Cardinal Augustin Bea, S.J., and eventually had a significant role in the passage of the document Nostra Aetate.

“‘And what does the Lord require of us? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God.' (Micah 6:8) We are here today because Sister Rose has walked that walk and challenges us to do the same. She knows from experience that beauty, humility, justice, love and truth will set us free,” said Dr. Coppola.

“She reminds us that Christianity and Judaism have deep, intertwined roots in God's garden that will continue to grow and blossom with each decade if we do our best and speak truth with love,” he continued.

The CCJU was founded in the spirit of Nostra Aetate and works to further develop interreligious understanding and dialogue.

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