US Presbyterian Church, Jews tide over crisis

American Jewish leaders and a top executive of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) say their relations have taken a "significant turn" for the better after a crisis over the Protestant group's policy toward Israel.

In a joint statement, leaders of the Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist branches of Judaism, along with the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, the Presbyterian stated clerk, pledged to work jointly toward Mideast peace despite any differences.

"Together, we affirm that peace for Israel and the Palestinians should be built on the foundations of security, justice and the establishment of two viable states," the leaders said, following a Nov. 29 meeting in Louisville, Ky.

"Our specific approaches to peace differ, but we believe that we can, and must, be strong advocates together – and together with other Christian and Muslim colleagues – for a renewed peace process," they said.

The 2004 Presbyterian national assembly had vexed some grass roots Presbyterians and Jewish groups by authorizing "phased selective divestment in multinational corporations operating in Israel" because of its policies toward Palestinians.

This past summer, the assembly changed course, voting to soften its policy. The new policy says that church assets should "be invested in only peaceful pursuits" in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

The Jewish community was represented at the meeting by Rabbi Jerome Epstein, executive vice president of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism; Carl Sheingold, executive vice president of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation; and Rabbi Eric Yoffie, president of the Union for Reform Judaism.

The religious leaders also promised to work together on other public policy issues, including raising the minimum wage, helping immigrants and protecting human rights in Sudan.