Catholics to Recite Prayer for Syrian Jews on March 14

A prayer for the Jews of Syria will be among the general intercessions of parish masses across the United States on March 14, during the Sabbath of Concern sponsored by the Synagogue Council of America, beginning March 12, it was announced today by Rabbi Joseph H. Lookstein, president of the Synagogue Council. It is the first time that the U.S. Catholic Bishops have officially requested that Catholics throughout the nation recite a special prayer during Mass on behalf of Jews suffering oppression and injustice.

In a letter to Bishop James S. Raush, general secretary of the U.S. Catholic Conference, Lookstein expressed “profound gratitude for the action taken by the U.S. Catholic Conference,” adding that the “plight of Syrian Jews raises profoundly humanitarian questions which transcend the tragic political divisiveness that has marked the Arab-Israel conflict.” The text of a suggested prayer was sent to Catholic bishops across the country by Bishop Rausch after the Synagogue Council invited Catholics to join them in commemorating the Sabbath of Concern.

“It is our hope,” said Lookstein, “that the petition to be inserted into the Mass. its spirit and compassion and concern, will contribute to an alleviation of the suffering of Syrian Jews and to a broader conciliation of Jews, Muslims and Christians in the area.”

Jews across the U.S. will observe the Sabbath of Concern by offering prayers for their Syrian brethren as well as hearing special sermons on Syrian Jewry. In many communities interfaith programs, including Protestant, Catholic and Jewish are planned. The Synagogue Council of America, this year celebrating its 50th anniversary, is the coordinating body of the three branches of American Jewry–Orthodox, Conservative and Reform.