Protestant, Catholic Clergymen and Lay Leaders Attend “institutes on Judaism”

During the past three years, more than 15,000 persons, including Protestant and Catholic clergymen and lay leaders throughout the United States and Canada, have attended “Institutes on Judaism,” designed to acquaint Christians with the beliefs, rituals and traditions of Judaism, it was reported here today by Miss Jane Evans, executive director of the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods, which sponsors the Institutes.

Various aspects of Judaism are interpreted to Christian church leaders at the institutes through talks, and these lectures are usually followed by question and answer periods. Addresses by Christian clergymen are also part of the conferences, which include a tour of the synagogues where they are held. Publication some of which have been attended by more than 1,000 persons of all faiths, generally consist of morning and afternoon sessions. In several cities, however, evening institutes have been held, in response to requests from business women and school teachers.

“Not only has the interfaith project met with enthusiastic and unanimous praise, but it has led a number of Christian denominations to extend reciprocal invitations to Sisterhood leaders for meeting of a similar nature,” the report said. Among the groups which have sponsored conferences patterned after the institutes are the New York Council of Church Women, the Catholic Women of Indianapolis, the Council of Church Women of Brooklyn and the Chicago Church Women. In Cincinnati last year, an Institute on Protestantism which featured lectures by Methodist, Presbyterian and Episcopal ministers had as one of its principal speakers Dr. Maurice N. Eisendrath, president of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations.