Presbyterian-Jewish Relations

At this year's General Assembly, a number of actions were taken that have impacted Jewish-Presbyterian relations. These actions have become the most controversial actions taken by the national church body. As a result, both General Assembly and the Presbytery of Baltimore are seeking ways to open up channels of communication between the Presbyterian Church and the Jewish Community. It is through direct communication that we are each able to grow in our understanding of different perspectives and advance the cause of peace.

In the Presbytery of Baltimore, a number of steps have been taken or will be taken. These include:

        An Open Letter to the Jewish Community sent by individual

                 Presbyterian ministers of the Presbytery.

        A follow-up article in the Jewish Times

        A luncheon for 15 rabbis and 15 Presbyterian ministers

       An Open Letter to Presbyterians   from the Board of Rabbis

                 was requested                  

       An invitation to Rabbi Bradd Boxman to address the

                 November Presbytery meeting

       An invitation from the Institute for Christian/Jewish Studies to                  participate in two events:  Presentation by Rabbi Irving                     Greenberg and the Medicine, Mortality and Morality

                 Conference (More information can be found at the ICJS

                 website: http://www.icjs.org )

There is also a recognition that we must hear Palestinian voices.

       A presentation by Lloyd Auchard was made as a  

       September pre-presbytery event    http://www.baltimorepresbytery.com/documents/Auchardflyer_003.pdf

       Other opportunities to be determined

Other documents on this issue may be of interest including statements from the Stated Clerk and the Moderator of General Assembly. Several of these documents are linked below and others may be found at the General Assembly's web site:      http://www.pcusa.org/israelandjewishrelations/

You may read the actual motions that were voted upon at these web sites:    

        http://www.pcusa.org/ga216/business/minutes/jul2-2pm.pdf

        Page 3 – On Implementing the Geneva Accords (including

        divestment)

        Page 5 – Call for an End to the Construction of a Wall

        Page 7 – Confronting Christian Zionism

        http://www.pcusa.org/ga216/business/minutes/jun30-    830am.pdf

        Page 16 – Re-examining the Relationship between Christians

        and Jews  

        Recommendation (which was defeated) would have

        suspended Funding for new Messianic Congregations

Divestment Policy Plans: http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2004/04497.htm