Cardinal Francis George,
President, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Archbishop Wilton Gregory,
Chairman, Bishops Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs

Bishop William Lori,
Chairman, Bishops Committee on Doctrine and Pastoral Practice

Father James Massa,
Executive Director, Secretariat of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs

Father Thomas Weinandy,
Executive Director, Secretariat of Doctrine

Cardinal William Keeler,
Moderator, Catholic-Jewish dialogue

Dear Esteemed Colleagues:

We are gratified at the response to our letter of concern of August 18 and are pleased that you have reaffirmed your belief that our covenant "endures till the present day." We are also pleased by your public affirmation that our dialogue "is not a disguised invitation to baptism" and are reassured by your commitment that the final text of the Note will be revised to eliminate the passage that appeared to indicate the contrary.

We have had our misunderstandings in the past, but we have surmounted them and strengthened our relationship in the spirit of Vatican II that is so precious to all. We have come a long way in our relationship of trust and respect and we have a way to go. Some of us will no doubt explore the more limited view of the Mosaic covenant expressed in your Note as we proceed to learn from each other. But all of us, no matter our differences, concur in the need to dispel misunderstanding and continue to engage in fruitful discussion that will strengthen our relationship and enhance our friendship.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Gary Greenebaum

American Jewish Committee

Rabbi Eric J. Greenberg

Anti-Defamation League

Rabbi Gilbert S. Rosenthal

National Council of Synagogues

Professor Lawrence Schiffman

Orthodox Union

Rabbi Dr. David Berger

Rabbinical Council of America

cc: Cardinal Walter Kasper, President, Vatican Commission on Religious with the Jews
Bishop William Murphy, Moderator, Catholic/Orthodox Jewish Dialogue