January 28, 2008

NEW YORK – The American Jewish Committee mourns today the passing of Gordon B. Hinckley, the president and prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"When a delegation of AJC leaders met with President Hinckley and the First Presidency in 2003, we found him to be wise and witty, proud of his Church's positive history with the Jewish community and a good listener as well," said Rabbi Gary Greenebaum, AJC's U.S. director of Interreligious Affairs.

President Hinckley spoke with pride about the creation of the Brigham Young University Center in Jerusalem, the successful negotiations conducted with the Israeli government in order to establish the Center and the fact that Rabbi David Rosen, AJC's international director of Interreligious Affairs had taught at the center from its inception.

President Hinckley's friendship toward the Jewish community will be missed.

American Jewish Committee