Synagogue Council Delegation Says It Made Historical Breakthrough in Jewish-islamic Relations in Egy

A 12-member delegation of the Synagogue Council of America (SCA) which returned Sunday night from a two-week visit to Egypt and Israel believes it made an "historical breakthrough" in Jewish-Islamic relations in Egypt. The delegation, headed by Rabbi Saul I. Teplitz, the SCA’s president, and Rabbi Henry Siegman, executive vice-president, said the visit to Egypt was the first "by an official delegation representing the Jewish religious community in modern times."

The SCA said today that the delegation’s visit in Egypt from Feb. 13-20 enabled it "to develop new religious and cultural relations" with Islamic leaders "that will help heal wounds caused by generations of alienation and conflict. While these relations are no substitute for political agreements, they constitute the human and spiritual infrastructure which can speed the day of peace and, when it comes, give it moral content and endurance."

The delegation found it accomplished more than it expected, according to a spokesman. Dr. Soufi Abou-Taleb, president of Cairo University, agreed to have visiting professors in various fields of Jewish studies offer courses at the university while Egyptian Islamic scholars will be made available as visiting professors for American Jewish institutions of higher learning.

Cairo University, the largest in the Arab world, has also agreed to hold by next year a Moslem-Jewish interreligious dialogue similar to the dialogues that have been held for the last 10 years between world Jewry and the Vatican and the World Council of Churches. The university will organize participation by Moslem scholars from Al Azhar University and other Egyptian schools as well as Cairo University.

AGREEMENT ON SCHOLARLY ACTIVITIES

The delegation reported that Egyptian government officials agreed to allow Jewish scholars to survey and catalogue manuscripts, synagogues, cemeteries and other Jewish institutions in Cairo and in other locations in order to take the necessary measures for their preservation and if possible, restoration. Deputy Foreign Minister Boutros Ghali suggested the establishment of a Jewish museum in Egypt and agreed to the SCA’s proposal that an international Jewish committee, as a first step, seek to restore and preserve the ancient synagogue and study of Maimonides in Old Cairo.

The SCA obtained permission both from the Egyptian government and the leaders of the Karaite community to bring to the U.S., on loan, for an exhibit and analysis a collection of ancient Karaite manuscripts and ceremonial objects. Egyptian authorities agreed that some 40 Torah scrolls that had been confiscated by customs officials several years ago would be returned to the local Jewish community.

MET WITH EGYPTIAN OFFICIALS

An SCA spokesman noted that the delegation in its talks with Egyptian leaders, including President Anwar Sadat and Vice President Husni Mubrak stressed the unswerving dedication of American Jews to the welfare and security of Israel. During an hour-long meeting with Grand Imam Dr. Abdul Halim Mahmoud, Sheikh of Al Azhar University, the delegation members also expressed their strong objections to use of Zionism as an epithet by Moslem leaders.

They pointed out that to differentiate between Zionists and Jews as the Arabs do is false since all Jews are Zionists "in the sense that attachment to Eretz Yisrael is a profound expression of Jewish religious belief and hope, linking a people, a faith and a land in an indissoluble unity."

The delegation made the same point to Sadat while also being firm in its expression that only Israel can define its security needs and Americans have neither the moral right or ability to do so. The delegation said it was impressed with Sadat’s genuine desire for peace although he was firm in his insistence that the Israeli settlements in the Sinai were an obstacle to peace.

The delegates said they told Sadat they were confident Israeli leaders would do everything possible to achieve success in the peace negotiations and urged Sadat to do the same.