Protestant churches were urged last night by the Conference on the Church and the Jewish People to denounce anti-Semitism and to include Jews in Christian missionary programs. The Conference, which concluded two days of meetings here, was held under the sponsorship of the American Committee on the Christian Approach to Jews.
The parley branded anti-Semitism as a “sin against God and man” and urged that it be opposed, “no matter what its origin.” Evidences of “an alarming increase of anti-Semitism in America” were pointed up by the Conference. Speakers outlining a program of evangelism among Jews here and abroad cautioned churches against insisting that the Jew sever all identity with his people and culture.
The Conference also listed plans for the establishment of a Christian Institute on Jewish Studies for clergy and laymen and for preparation of missionary literature for Jews. Earlier, Rabbi Elmer Berger, of the American Council for Judaism, accused Zionists of trying to draw American Jews into a nationalist movement serving Israel interests.
Mrs. Moses P. Epstein, former Hadassah president, told the Conference that the “first loyalty” of an American Jew was to the United States and explained that the Zionist movement sought to establish a home for the homeless and that creation of a Jewish state was a means to that end. Israel delegate to the U.N. Anbrey S. Eban reiterated his government’s offer to admit 100,000 Arab displaced persons.
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