Efforts of Those Preaching Christian-jewish Goodwill Termed Insincere by Rabbi

Speaking on the general topic of “Genuine and Spurious Types of Goodwill,” Rabbi Bernard Heller, rabbi of the Madison Avenue Temple, Scranton, occupying the pulpit of Congregation Kenesseth Israel, Sunday characterized as insincere the efforts of those who are engaged in preaching goodwill between the Jews and the Christians in this country. Rabbi Heller pointed to the superficiality of their attempts, to the lack of scientific approach and to the insincerity which surrounds much of this propaganda.

“Goodwill,” Rabbi Heller declared, “resolves itself into a challenge as well as a creed. If the promoters of goodwill, therefore, are sincere in their professions, they must become more scientific in their procedure. If their interest be the attainment of their objective but not mere ballyhooing and the whirring of the organizational machinery, they must cease to be content with pious platitudes and hollow proclamations. They must see to it that their very selves and surroundings incarnate their beliefs. Deeds must supplement words and the shafts must be levelled against the definite and concrete practices that prevail in their beliefs. If goodwill and better understanding of the Jew is their aim, they must strive to eradicate economic discrimination against the Jew. They must take steps to introduce into their schools and churches a true and historic rendition of the life and death story of Jesus.”