Jesuit University in Rome Appoints First Jewish Professor in 419-year History

For the first time in its 419-year history, the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome has appointed a Jewish professor. Rabbi Dr. David Neiman of Boston College, to its theology faculty. Rabbi Neiman, who will serve as visiting professor in theology at the University for one semester starting in January, was the first Jewish professor to assume a full time position with Boston College, a Jesuit institution with some 10,000 students, in 1966 coming there from Brandeis University. Rabbi Neiman said he took the position at Boston College because he was interested in teaching Jewish theology to non-Jewish students. He said he found the experience of teaching Jewish history and Jewish theology to non-Jewish students rewarding and pleasant. His appointment to Boston College followed the Vatican II statement on the need for greater understanding between Christians and Jews. Rabbi Neiman’s courses at the Jesuit university have always been fully attended. The appointment of Rabbi Neiman to the Gregorian University follows initiation of changes by the Rev. Herve Carrier, S.J., Canadian sociologist, who in 1966 became rector of the university – established as the first modern seminary by St. Ignatius Loyola in 1551. One of the rector’s aims was expansion of offerings in theology by the introduction of Protestant and Jewish approaches.

Dr. Neiman expressed his pleasure at the appointment and his hope that he would be able to contribute to the understanding of Judaism. He stated however that he was not surprised at the appointment. “The appointment of a Jew was to be expected. The time demanded it. I was chosen because I am a Jewish professor of theology at a Catholic university and have had much experience in a Jesuit environment,” declared Rabbi Neiman. “I was not hired as a token gesture–the Jew on a Catholic theology faculty–but to teach, to present the material the only way possible–with the perspective of an insider.” Although Dr. Neiman will teach a course in the Jewish literature of the New Testament period at the Gregorian University, he feels his influence will be more important outside of the class, as a Jew in a Christian community. He firmly believes that “Judaism and Christianity must come closer together. By this. I don’t mean that a compromise of fundamental principles of either side, but an understanding and recognition of each one’s validity. It is absolutely essential for Christians to know how Jewish the New Testament is.” A graduate of the City College of New York and University of Chicago, Dr. Neiman received his Ph. D at Dropsie College for Hebrew and Cognate Learning in Philadelphia.