I am not posting for arguement, only thanks.

I grew up as a Catholic in an all Jewish neigborhood on the North Shore of Chicago. There were some difficult times, some bigotry, but that was the minority of times.

My uncle was a member of the Polish resistance and lived in a gulag in Siberia for seven years. He was a loving, gentle man. I knew many Jewish grandparents who were holocaust survivors of friends during my years in my neighborhood. As a young person, I had no idea of the magnitude of their experiences. Had I known, I would have asked more questions, learned more, cherished more. Presently, my best friend is a daughter of a holocaust survivor and she is gentile.

Because of my upbringing, I have studied the holocaust for 26 years. I have no degrees in this area, but a life long dedication to understanding the root of human evil and the departure from God. I have never known a lack of compassion or understanding similar to the Nazis but I have seen it as potential in certain human beings I have met and it is terrifying. They can be ordinary citizens - our neighbors - who become frenzied members of a gang mentality. I find it disturbingly common in Christians more than Jews.

In my life, Jews have been my friends, mentors, teachers, professors, lovers, and influences in my life. I have learned to be a Catholic through Jews. The only thing I know is that my childhood growing up around Jews, being included in their holidays (by their graciousness and hospitality) has strengthened my understanding of faith and the long tradition of Judiasm in Christianity.

If there is any group of people on earth who have suffered more than the Jews, I do not know. Yet, as long as I live, I will defend the Jews and Israel - for without either, we shut down the whole world.

There is no Christianity without Judiasm. It is impossible.

I do not care who is right. I only care that the basis of my faith is from a Jew. The Jews did not kill him nor have they ignored him. We part ways but we are the same. My love of God is that of the Jews and always will be - in countless ways.

Beautiful, Ellen.