General News and Announcements

February 1, 2010

Representatives of Canadian Jewish Congress and The United Church of Canada met this morning February 1 to discuss issues pertaining to the relationship between the two groups and to seek ways of promoting ongoing dialogue to hear each others’ concerns.

We put our feelings on the table and held the tensions creatively. Both groups made a commitment to ongoing dialogue to deal with difficult issues and to look for ways to work in common cause.

More specifically, the United Church acknowledged its long-standing and historical relationship with Canadian Jewish Congress as the place for dialogue and consultation with the Jewish community of Canada. The United Church reiterated its position that Independent Jewish Voices has not been and is not a partner of The United Church of Canada. For its part, Canadian Jewish Congress acknowledged that the United Church, by its very nature, listens to many voices and many perspectives, in Canada and beyond, on all issues, including its reflections on peace in the Middle East.