Nostra Aetate, the “Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions,” was issued by the Second Vatican Council in 1965. Written in the shadow of the Shoah, this brief but groundbreaking document marked a historic shift in the Catholic Church’s relationship with the Jewish people. It calls for a renewed and respectful dialogue in the wake of nearly two thousand years of Christian misunderstanding, marginalization, and persecution of the Jewish people. In this lecture, Rabbi Abraham Skorka reflects on Nostra Aetate as both a profound response to tragedy and a beacon of hope grounded in biblical values. Drawing on his lifelong commitment to interfaith dialogue – and his close friendship and theological partnership with Pope Francis – Rabbi Skorka invites us to consider how the beauty of authentic encounter continues to reveal deeper truths and possibilities for hope. He also considers the challenges that remain, inviting us to reflect on how these obstacles might be overcome through the continued work of those who seek to build bridges between faith communities.