A Chicago rabbi warned Christians to stop trying to convert Jews to Christianity when carrying on dialogues with Jews concerning areas of differences and agreement. Addressing a conference at Loyola University of teachers in Catholic and Protestant seminaries, Rabbi Ralph Simon, of Congregation Rodfei Zedek, said that “Jews wish to accept Christian friendship, but not at the price of their religion.” according to the Sentinel, Chicago Jewish weekly.
One of the great difficulties in such dialogues, Rabbi Simon declared, “arises from the fact that, theologically, Christians are obligated to carry the message of their religion to others. The problem is how to do this when it provokes resentment from Jews.” He pointed out that many Christian theologians today fed that no missionary efforts should be directed to the Jewish people because of their special status. “Instead,” he said, “it is felt that the Christian, through his own life, can demonstrate the values of his religion.”
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
