Rabbinic Bodies Urge Synagogues to Mark ‘peace Prize Sunday’ Dec, 10

The three major national rabbinic bodies of American Jewry have issued a call to their members to set aside Dec. 10 as “Peace Prize Sunday.” On that day, as Israeli Premier Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat receive the Nobel Peace Prize for 1978, a wide-ranging series of public celebrations will be held throughout the United States and Canada, under the sponsorship of the Israel Bond Organization in conjunction with its Rabbinic Cabinet.

The heads of the three rabbinic groups, the Central Conference of American Rabbis (Reform), the Rabbinical Assembly (Conservative) and the Rabbinical Council of America (Orthodox) are urging rabbis to organize special events in their synagogues to commemorate this historic day, according to Rabbi Leon Kronish, chairman of the Israel Bond Rabbinic Cabinet and spiritual leader of Temple Beth Shalom, Miami Beach, Florida.

Rabbi Saul Teplitz of Woodmere, L.I., head of the Rabbinical Assembly, explained why synagogues were selected for these observances. “During the Six-Day War in 1967 and the Yom Kippur War in 1973,” he said, “the synagogue was the center of an extraordinary outpouring of activity in behalf of Israel.” He asked for a response “just as immediate, just as dramatic and just as effective” to support Israel’s peace efforts. Begin welcomed the Dec. 10 celebrations in a letter to Israel Bonds general chairman Sam Rothberg and said that these events would be “transformed into the kind of action which will strengthen our economy in the challenging months ahead.”

Well-known personalities, including stars of Hollywood and Broadway, will take part in the festive celebrations in scores of cities throughout North America. Community political figures will participate in the programs. Mayors and governors are being asked to issue proclamations designating Dec. 10 as “Peace Prize Sunday.”