News U.S. Jewish groups talking again with mainline churches Facebook Twitter Email SMS WhatsApp Share By J. Correspondent | April 4, 2014 Leaders of national Jewish groups have resumed a dialogue with mainline Christian churches ruptured by a call in 2012 by some Christian leaders to consider cutting U.S. assistance to Israel. “We affirm a strong commitment to continue working together on domestic and international issues of common concern,” said the joint statement issued March 27 by the groups following a meeting in New York. “We will aspire to genuine and ongoing dialogue related to Israeli-Palestinian issues, seeking to identify and discuss, in respect and humility, areas of real or potential disagreement and of real and potential cooperation,” said the statement released through the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the umbrella body for Jewish public policy groups. “As people of faith we enter the holy season of Easter and Passover to celebrate the gift of our renewed relationship and look to the future to enhance our closeness and our commitment to serve the common good.” Jewish groups suspended the dialogue with the churches in October 2012 after church leaders wrote members of Congress asking them to investigate alleged Israeli human rights abuses and to cut assistance to Israel accordingly. Jewish leaders at the March 27 meeting represented groups including the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee, the JCPA, B’nai B’rith International, and the Reform and Conservative movements. Mainline Protestant churches represented included the Lutherans, the United Church of Christ, Presbyterians, Methodists, Disciples of Christ and the National Council of Churches. — jta J. Correspondent Also On J. Food What makes Trader Joe’s new matzah different from all other matzah? Bay Area Chabad brings new life to S.F. cinema with a Jewish backstory Israel Both sides agree: Israel is headed for a constitutional crisis Art Before your flight, catch SFO's exhibit of California women artists Subscribe to our Newsletter Enter Email Sign Up