August 11, 2005

ORLANDO, Fla. – After almost unanimously approving a memorial Aug. 11 that calls for stepping up dialogue with those in the Jewish community, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Churchwide Assembly heard a national Jewish leader thank the ELCA for its work with his community.

The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 8-14 at the World Center Marriott and Convention Center. About 2,300 people are participating, including 1,018 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Marked with the Cross of Christ Forever."

"I am particularly appreciative of the role played by the [ELCA] in forging meaningful relations between Christians and American Jews," said Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, who added, "you have been a path setter in this regard."

The Union for Reform Judaism consists of 920 synagogues, representing 1.5 million Jews.

The assembly's approval of the memorial was by a vote of 922- 2.

That memorial "express[es] best wishes ... to the Jewish community in America" on the 350th anniversary of Jewish presence in the country [and] appreciation for the distinguished contributions made by Jews to movements for social justice and civil rights, philanthropy, business, science, literature, and the arts; commend[s] the ELCA Department for Ecumenical Affairs for its work to promote Lutheran-Jewish dialogue and produce study materials about Christian-Jewish relations," urging "that these efforts be continued and strengthened"; and urges ELCA congregations "to reach out to their Jewish neighbors for dialogue and cooperation on common concerns... ."

Noting that his organization's work is "similar in many respects" to that of the ELCA, Yoffie acknowledged, "This is exceedingly hard work. But you and I know that there is no more important work in these difficult times than creating an earthly home for the Divine Presence and offering our members a life lit by the flame of faith."

"I am grateful for the outstanding materials produced by the distinguished Consultative Panel of Lutheran-Jewish Relations," Yoffie told the Assembly. "I am moved by the frank honesty of your Statement to the Jewish Community ... and I am delighted by the ongoing cooperation of our two movements in advancing the cause of justice in our nation's capital."

He called attention to several "deep worries" about life in this country, including negative influences of the media on children; poverty; job insecurity; health-care costs; and other economic inequities.

"We believe, in short," Yoffie continued, "that at this critical moment in our country's history, churches and synagogues and all people of faith must do what we have so often done so often before: summon America to a higher vision of its meaning and destiny."

Offering "a few thoughts on the Middle East," Yoffie said that the American Jewish community "see[s] our efforts to assure Israel's security as one of our ... most important accomplishments in our 350 years here, just as maintaining that security remains one of our highest priorities."

He emphasized that "the Reform Jewish movement is committed to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Palestinians must have a state. ... For peace to be achieved, territorial compromise will be required of Israel, and unconditional acceptance of Israel as a Jewish state will be required of the Palestinians."

"The events of September 11 left Americans deeply traumatized," Yoffie told the assembly. "Yet in relative terms, far more Israelis than Americans have been killed and directly impacted by terror."

He pointed out that since 1999, there have been 175 successful terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians.

"Imagine how Americans would react if they were subject to terror on this scale," he suggested.

"Now we find ourselves at a moment of hope," said Yoffie, as he noted that Israel has withdrawn from Sinai and Lebanon, and will soon withdraw from Gaza.

"Now is the time for Israelis and Palestinians to look through each other's eyes for an instant, and to take that critical step for peace," he said. "Now is the time for the government of the United States to involve itself fully in the search for peace. Now is the time for terror to stop and settlement building to stop. Now is the time for all of us to see that we can achieve through peace what none of us will ever achieve through violence."

In closing, Yoffie quoted Moses as he addressed the children of Israel just before his death: "Don't hate an Egyptian, because you were a stranger in his land."

"Moses knew that to build a society of freedom and hope, you have to let go of hate," he said. "That's what Moses taught the children of his time, and it's what we must teach the children of our time. I look forward to joining with you in this sacred task."

Assembly voting members greeted Yoffie's remarks with a standing ovation.

Information about the ELCA Churchwide Assembly is at http://www.elca.org/assembly/05/ on the Web.

ELCA News Service