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PAGE 12 THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE October 24, 1986 Papa/ initiative Inter-religious prayer meeting criticized (From JTA Reports) A meeting next week of repre sentatives of the world’s major religions to pray for peace has evoked criticism from a Jewish expert on inter-religious affairs. The meeting was called by Pope John Paul II, who earlier this month issued invitations to Jews, Christians and other faiths to convene at Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis, on Monday for an international day of prayer for peace. According to Msgr. Achille Silvestrini, the Vatican secretary of state, all nations are bmng asked through diplomatic chan nels to lay down their arms lor the entire day. The appeal has gone out not Israel is looking for OLD ISRAEL BONDS For Reinvestment Sunday November 2 9:30 to Noon Did you know that Israel Bonds that have matured do not earn any further interest? Did you know that Israel Bonds that have matured do not benefit Israel? Check your safe deposit box for old Israel Bonds that have matured and bring them in for reinvestment. You can earn up to 14 months extra interest by reinvest ing your old Israel Bonds now! If you brought an Israel Bond 14 or more years ago you can now receivefull maturity valueas much as14 months early...provided you add additional funds to reinvest in the purchase of any new State of Israel Bond. If you are the registered owner of Israel Bonds pur chased in 1972 or earlier, bring the bonds and check book for reinvestment in a new security on Sunday, November 2, 9:30 a.m. to noon to: Ahavath Achim Synagogue Or VeShalom Synagogue Temple Emanu-EI Temple Sinai 600 Peachtree Battle 1681 North Druid Hills Rd. 1580 Spalding Dr. 5645 Dupree Dr. This is not an offering. Offerings of this issue can be made only by a prospectus, copies of which can be obtained from: Development Corporation For Israel State Of Israel Bonds 2250 North Druid Hills Rd. Suite 230 Atlanta, Georgia 30329 For information call Israel Bonds office 634-9500 Kenneth Levy - Reinvestment Chairman Asher Benator - General Chairman only to nations in a state of war or formal belligerence, but also “to those who seek to achieve their aims through terrorism or other forms of violence," Msgr. Silvestrini declared at a press conference announcing the day of prayer. Rabbi Marc Tanenbaum, di rector of international relations for the American Jewish Com mittee, who has close ties to the Vatican, however, has cited diffi culties related to the prayer meet ing. According to Rabbi Tanen baum, “While clearly Judaism’s leaders are deeply committed to the idea of‘shalom,’ the organi zation of this prayer demonstra tion has not been without prob lems for Jewish spokesmen.” Among Rabbi Tanenbaum’s complaints is that the prayer day is scheduled to take place on the morning after Simhat Torah, the final day of Sukkot. “In practical terms that means that no Jewish religious leader, certainly no chief rabbi, would violate Yom Tov by traveling overseas to Assisi on the Sunday before,” Rabbi Tanenbaum writes in a statement to the Jewish Tel egraphic Agency. “As of now, only Chief Rabbi Elio Toaff of Italy is expected to be present as a Jewish religious representative. He will need to travel only a short distance from Rome.” The rabbi points out that an official invitation had been ex tended earlier to Rabbi Morde- cai Waxman, chairman of the International Jewish Committee for Inter-religious Consultations, which relates to the Vatican and the World Council of Churches as coordinating body for the American Jewish Commitee, B’nai B’rith International, the Syna gogue Council of America, the World Jewish Congress and the Israel Interfaith Committee. Be cause of the conflict with Sim hat Torah. Rabbi Waxman will not attend. Rabbi Tanenbaum notes. Though some individual rab bis and representatives of Jewish organizations reportedly will attend the Assisi meeting, they have not received official invita tions, Rabbi Tanenbaum adds. He also writes that “theologi cal” difficulties exist that are being discussed in Jewish and other non-Catholic circles. When the idea of a world peace meeting was first discussed in Rome several years ago, Rabbi Tanenbaum says, the idea was that “ecumenical” invitations would be sent out by the fore most recognized leaders of the major Western and Oriental reli gions, who would ask represen tatives of their respective com munities to join in appropriate prayers and discussions for world peace. This would have precluded the possibility of religious “one- upmanship” or triumphalism, he writes. However, the manner in which the meeting was called has given the perception that it is essen tially a “papal” or “Vatican” meeting in which other religions are being invited to take part, he says. “That imagery of a predomi nantly Catholic initiative with inter-religious participation rather than a genuine pan-religious event will be underscored by the fact that the climactic prayer event will take place in the Basilica of St. Francis instead of some more neutral assembly place,” Rabbi Tanenbaum writes. He does conclude, however, that, “In any case, the threat of nuclear catastrophe is so great and the cause of world peace so compelling that religious leaders appear to be ready to put aside ecumenical protocol for the time being in order to make a strong public demonstration for the cause of world peace.” Besides Rabbi Toaff and Pro testant and Catholic leaders, the meeting is expected to draw rep resentatives of the Sikh, Hindu, Moslem. Buddhist, Shinto and animist faiths. —-O- wv ■ ■O-— Wanted Experienced Salesperson 5 day week 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Group Insurance Salary plus Commission Specialty Shop-Buckhead Phone: Ben 262-2038 —** ^ -i -- —u- -Tj- F- r& 'S’ ■ \\0 O' 1 <&4 iMifitlitttftaiirvjtg imsmtu