CCJ Statement on Quaker divestment

It is not easy to understand the purpose of the Quaker statement on divestment from ‘companies profiting from the occupation of Palestine’, since  the Quaker community does not invest in any companies in the region. We note also that the Quaker community is not seeking to divest from any other current conflict in the world.

CCJ Chair Statement on Anniversary of Kristallnacht

CCJ’s Chair of Trustees, Rt Revd Michael Ipgrave, posted this statement on the 80th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the ‘night of broken glass’:

CCJ Statement on Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting

CCJ was horrified to learn of the murderous attack on the Jewish community in Pittsburgh at the Etz Chaim Synagogue while its congregants were at prayer on the Sabbath. ‘Etz Chaim’ means ‘Tree of Life’, and in this attack lives have brutally been cut down through baseless hatred. This was a community that demonstrated love for the stranger, an example to us all. Read more

Statement on the Church of England’s adoption of the full IHRA definition of antisemitism

Today, on the first day of the Jewish New Year, the College of Bishops have sent a timely message of support to the Jewish community. Read more

CCJ’s statement on Archbishop of Canterbury’s message to Jewish community on the Jewish New Year

The Chair and Trustees of CCJ thank the Archbishop of Canterbury for his New Year message to the Jewish community and for being so clear in his commitment to eradicate antisemitism in all its forms and to recommend adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism to the Church of England. He has shown leadership where it has been lacking, he has created light where there has been darkness. Read more

CCJ statement on antisemitic discourse

CCJ deeply regrets the comment made in 2013 by Jeremy Corbyn that British Zionists have “no sense of English irony” despite having ‘lived in Britain all of their lives’. This kind of old antisemitic trope that Jewish people hoped they would never hear again, seeks to imply that Jewish people in Britain are somehow outsiders who don’t really belong. Read more

Statement on the IHRA antisemitism definition

As Christians and Jews, we stand firmly against antisemitism. We condemn this repugnant hatred wherever it arises and however it manifests. We believe that the definition of antisemitism should be determined by Jewish people themselves.

The Council of Christians and Jews welcomes Methodist Conference Memorial

The Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ) welcomes the memorial on antisemitism passed by the Methodist Conference this week. The memorial which was brought to the Conference by the Lincolnshire Synod of the Methodist Church celebrates the 75th anniversary of CCJ and notes the contributions Methodist ministers the Revd Bill Simpson and the Revd Henry Carter made to CCJ’s founding. Read more

CCJ Refugee Week Guide for Religious Communities

Refugee Week, 18-24 June 2018, is the UK’s largest festival promoting understanding of refugees and celebrating their contribution.

CCJ’s guide to Refugee Week contains advice on how to run your own interfaith Refugee Week event, as well as Christian and Jewish liturgy and commentaries for the Sabbath services in that week. We hope you find it practical and thought-provoking.

Statement on the intended Canonisation of Pope Paul VI

The Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ) welcomes the news that Pope Paul VI is to be canonised by the Roman Catholic Church. After the horrors of the Holocaust, Pope Paul VI led the transformation of relations between the Jewish world and the Catholic Church. Read more