A global advocacy organization for the Jewish people is donating $25,000 toward the rehabilitation of the community of Holy Family Church, the Catholic parish in Gaza that continues to grapple with grief after it was struck by a stray Israeli military munition that killed three people, injured others, and damaged the church’s structure. 

The American Jewish Committee (AJC), which is headquartered in New York, announced its donation in an Aug. 1 press release. 

“We are deeply saddened by the deaths, injuries, and structural damage at the Holy Family Church in Gaza and stand in solidarity with our Catholic brothers and sisters,” AJC CEO Ted Deutch stated in the release. “We pray for the full recovery of the injured and the safety of all peoples affected by the devastation of war.”

The Times of Israel reported July 23 that an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) probe found that misfired munitions struck Holy Family Church July 17 during IDF activity in the area. According to the release, the Prime Minister’s Office stated that Israel “deeply regrets that a stray ammunition hit Gaza’s Holy Family Church” and “remains committed to protecting civilians and holy sites,” emphasizing that “[E]very innocent life lost is a tragedy.” 

The Archdiocese of New York will facilitate AJC’s donation to help Holy Family Church. AJC thanked the archdiocese, the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, and Archbishop Cardinal Timothy Dolan, whom they called a dear friend, “for their assistance in enabling AJC to do what is right and consistent with Jewish values.” 

Cardinal Dolan reciprocated the gratitude, stating in the release, “We appreciate AJC’s expression of consolation and support and are thankful for the opportunity to do good as Jews and Catholics together in this way, to bring some light to the darkness of war.” 

In May, the organization received a letter from Pope Leo XIV that the Pontiff wrote the day he was elected. 

“Trusting in the assistance of the Almighty, I pledge to continue and strengthen the Church’s dialogue and cooperation with the Jewish people in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council’s Nostra Aetate,” Pope Leo wrote, as CatholicVote previously reported. 

In a statement following the letter’s reception AJC said, “We are deeply moved that Pope Leo XIV, so early in his papacy, has reaffirmed his commitment to Catholic-Jewish relations.” 

AJC noted that the letter, which was addressed to AJC Director of Interreligious Affairs Rabbi Noam Marans, reaffirmed the spirit of the 1965 Vatican declaration Nostra Aetate “On the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions.” … 

“As we approach the 60th anniversary of this landmark declaration, we look forward to working together to deepen understanding and cooperation,” AJC said. 

Since the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Leo has repeatedly called for peace, the release of hostages, humanitarian aid in Gaza, and a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. 

According to the release, the archdiocese was previously in an interreligious coalition that helped financially support the rebuilding of a home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza damaged in the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. 

AJC Director of Interreligious Affairs Rabbi Noam Marans, who attended Pope Leo’s inaugural Mass in May, reiterated solidarity with the Catholic community following the damage at Holy Family Church. 

“In the wake of this tragedy, we want to be there for Catholic partners who have been there for the Jewish people in our times of need,” he said. “Together, as Christians and Jews, we can affirm the shared humanity of all.”