A proposal that a Council of Christians, Jews and Moslems be formed was made here today at the second conference of British Commonwealth Jews by Canon C.E. Raven, chairman of the British Council of Christians and Jews.
Canon Raven made his proposal after expressing concern over the Palestine situation. He suggested that perhaps the time had come for an approach to Moslems for the formation of the more inclusive Council and said that this might have a positive effect on the Palestine situation. Canon Raven’s proposal evoked considerable interest among the delegates to the conference including P. Gourgy of India.
G. Sharon of South Africa, reviewing inter-group relations in his country, said that despite the fact that the Council of Christians and Jews was more or less defunct in South Africa, inter-group work was getting on. He reported that in the past there had been some difficulties because of the division of churches in the country, but now relations between the Jews and the various churches, including the Dutch Reformed Church, were quite satisfactory. He said that the Dutch Reformed Church was now showing a great interest in Jewish matters and that there was a real desire to know what the Jewish community felt and needed.
VALUE OF JEWISH CLUBS DISCUSSED AT COMMONWEALTH PARLEY
During a discussion of the value of special clubs for Jews as a means of fighting discrimination, Mr. Sharon outlined the growth of such Jewish clubs in South Africa. Rev. A. Livingston of London, however, opposed such clubs commenting that very often people thought racial prejudice existed–especially in schools–when there was nothing of the sort.
Neville Laski, British leader, said that part of the difficulties of Jewish communities was a “certain separateness” that existed between them and non-Jews. In certain respects, he went on, they were different from non-Jews and “the price was worth paying.”
E. J. Horowitz, South African leader, called for greater unity of Jewish groups at the United Nations. His sentiments were echoed by a number of other delegates who complained of the lack of machinery for adequate consultation among the Jewish bodies of different Commonwealth countries.
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