Ministers and Lay Leaders of Church of Christ Discuss Anti-semitism

A discussion on Anti-Semitism and ways to combat it, was held here at the 14th Eastern Christian Social Action Institute attended by 75 ministers and lay leaders of the United Church of Christ.

The discussion was led by Rabbi Bernard H. Bloom of Temple Isaiah, Lexington; David Goldstein, education director of the northeast regional office, Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith, and the Rev. Dr. Galen R. Weaver, secretary for racial and cultural relations of the Council for Christian Social Action of the United Church of Christ.

Rabbi Bloom said that although anti-Semitism has become “unfashionable” it still lingers on. He attributed this to an “almost built-in anti-Semitism” in Christianity, dating back to its earliest history and the need of people under stress to have a scapegoat. However, he said when Jews and Christians cooperate on community problems, real understanding can be forged.

Mr. Goldstein called for a “genuine dialogue” between Jews and Christians and cooperation in joint community projects. He also said that the materials used in religious training and the attitudes of religious teachers should be examined to ascertain their effect on Jewish-Christian relations.

Dr. Weaver told the conference that the Council for Christian Social-Action of the United Church of Christ planned to stress its program to reduce anti-Semitism “more strongly than ever before.” He also said that anti-Semitic ideas were often transmitted to children through misinterpretations of the New Testament. He said it was necessary to train church school teachers in an awareness of this possible pitfall.”