New York, New York, September 8, 1999 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today expressed outrage at the Southern Baptist Convention’s efforts to encourage prayers for the conversion of Jews during the High Holy Days, calling the initiative "offensive and disrespectful."

"We are shocked and deeply offended by the call for members of the Southern Baptist Convention to pray that Jews will convert to Christianity during the High Holy Days," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "It is pure arrogance for any one religion to assume that they hold `the truth,’ especially on the eve of the holiest days for the Jewish faith. The call to prayer among Southern Baptists is doubly offensive and disrespectful in light of the approaching High Holidays, and totally contrary to the spirit of dialogue that was supposedly emerging between Jews and Evangelical Christians."

Mr. Foxman communicated the League’s concerns in a letter to the Rev. H. Paige Patterson, President of the Southern Baptist Convention, stating that the call to prayer "projects a message of spiritual narrowness that invites theological hatred."

The League had worked to improve relations with the Southern Baptist Convention following a similar call to proselytize Jews in June 1996. Those efforts came after Southern Baptists adopted a resolution to mount an organized campaign to convert Jews to Christianity.

ADL has long been involved in promoting tolerance and understanding among different religions through interfaith dialogue and has moved forward in its efforts to enrich Christian and Jewish relations.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.