World News
First Jewish president of Catholic Biblical Association faces antisemitic backlash
Amy-Jill Levine's historic election has drawn criticism on social media, prompting strong condemnation from association leadership and past presidents.
The short version
- Amy-Jill Levine was elected as the first-ever Jewish president of the Catholic Biblical Association of America.
- Following her election, an antisemitic backlash emerged on social media, with critics calling her "anti-Christian" and accusing her of trying to hijack Catholicism.
- Association leaders and several past presidents have strongly defended Levine, praising her scholarship and decades of contributions to Catholic-Jewish dialogue.
Key facts
- Amy-Jill Levine, a professor emerita in New Testament and Jewish studies at Vanderbilt University, was elected as the first Jewish president of the Catholic Biblical Association of America.[Associated Press]
- The announcement of Levine's election was followed by antisemitic posts on social media accounts, where critics labeled her "anti-Christian" and questioned the appointment of a non-Catholic.[Associated Press]
- The executive board chair and executive director of the association defended Levine, stating she was chosen because of her exceptional scholarship and her important role in Catholic-Jewish dialogue.[Associated Press]
- Levine, who practices Orthodox Judaism, stated that her goals in the presidential role include promoting biblical research, supporting scholars, and collaborating with Catholic bishops to prevent antisemitic messages in textbooks and preaching.[Associated Press]