Twenty one Jewish agencies, including the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, have joined together in a letter of thanks to the United Methodist Church (UMC) for sincere strides made in areas of concern to the Jewish community, including Jewish-Christian relations and peace and reconciliation in the Middle East.
The recent work with the United Methodist Church is an example of one of the many coalitions and cross-agency initiatives for which JRF represents our member communities.
Read more to see the full letter.
To: Delegates of the United Methodist Church General Conference:
We wish to express our appreciation for the recognition given by the United Methodist Church's General Conference for Holocaust awareness and commemoration, fighting anti-Semitism, and opposing proselytization of Jews. These are most welcome actions that we receive as further demonstration of a commitment to the continuing and valuable Christian-Jewish relationship.
We also sincerely welcome the action taken by the United Methodist Church related to divestment. Thank you.
The broad range of agencies that join in this letter share with the United Methodist Church the goal of peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians as expressed through a two-state solution. This goal requires us to work toward solutions that foster dialogue and negotiation, and that enable economic and physical security to take the place of suffering and terrorism.
Methodists across the country have opened their hearts and minds to concerns expressed by the Jewish community. We appreciate the opportunity to share our thoughts with our Methodist brothers and sisters and to hear your concerns. Many Jewish and Methodist leaders have been in conversation on these issues for years. For others, the conversation is relatively new. We are committed to continue working cooperatively to build a brighter future for Israelis and Palestinians.
We have made many new friends along this journey and look forward to maintaining a positive dialogue on Israeli-Palestinian issues as well as other issues of mutual concern.
Signed:
Americans for Peace Now
American Jewish Committee
American Jewish Congress
Anti Defamation League
B'nai Brith International
Brit Tzedek V'Shalom
Central Conference of American Rabbis
Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization
Israel Policy Forum
Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Jewish Reconstructionist Federation
National Council of Jewish Women
National Council of Synagogues
Progressive Jewish Alliance
The Rabbinical Assembly
Simon Wiesenthal Center
Union for Reform Judaism
United Jewish Communities
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
Women's League of Conservative Judaism
Women of Reform Judaism