The Association of Hebrew Catholics (AHC) is a voluntary association of Catholics of both Jewish and non-Jewish origins. It was launched in 1979 by Elias Friedman, OCD, a Hebrew Catholic friar and Andrew Sholl, a holocaust survivor. Fr. Elias was previously resident at Stella Maris Monastery on Mt. Carmel, Haifa, Israel. He now intercedes for us from Heaven, having passed over on June 11, 1999, the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In the mid ’80s, Msgr. Eugene Kevane (also in Heaven) obtained the help of Ronda Chervin, David Moss and a few others in establishing an AHC presence in the U.S.
A short time later, The Miriam Press was established as the publishing arm of the AHC. In 1987, Fr. Elias’ magnum opus, Jewish Identity, was published with an Imprimatur from the Archdiocese of New York. This book, a reading of the signs of the times, provides the historical and theological background to the AHC.
The AHC seeks to help preserve the corporate identity and heritage of the People Israel within the Church. By connecting with Jews who have entered the Church, we hope to help them rekindle and live out their collective vocation, giving corporate witness to Jesus, the Messiah of Israel, and His Church. We hope, as well, to help the Church prepare for the day when the Lord will gather and unite all peoples to Himself, hastening the day when all Israel will proclaim “Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord.”
We believe that the divine plan of salvation has entered a new phase, and we stand in awe at the privilege granted us to play our part in this unfolding drama. We invite your participation and your collaboration in this exciting and hope-filled work of God.
As a lay apostolate, we are faithful to the Magisterium and we enlist the intercession and aid of our patrons: Miriam, under her title ‘Our Lady of the Miracle,’ and St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein).