To the editor,

Ed Koch remains a voice for principled truth-telling, particularly on Israel. He justly champions Catholic-Jewish ties, recognizing Catholicism’s global scope and its strides in transforming modern relations with Jews (A N.Y. Minute, Jan. 20). No Jewish engagement with another faith group has reached a place of such maturity.

Yet while undeniable distinctions can be drawn, Koch's comment that "mainstream Protestants have been anti-Jewish since Martin Luther, but the Catholics have reached out to us, [referring to Jews] as their elder brother” is missing one element: the qualifier “some.”

Although Koch was undoubtedly using shorthand, not all mainline Protestants are foes, and Catholics also cannot be generalized. Whether in anti-Israel postures or respecting Judaism’s legitimacy, there is diversity across the ecumenical spectrum. Evangelicals too, presumed to be uniformly conservative, include those reflecting the politics of liberal churches. The Biblically grounded can interpret even the phrase “elder brothers” in different ways.

Finally, Koch calls Catholic relations “the most important issue for Jews.” But it is also useful to know that Catholic predominance is increasingly challenged by Pentecostalism in key regions. And this is to say nothing of the long-term importance to Jews of Orthodox Christians, Eastern religious groups and, of course, Islam.

David J. Michaels
Director of UN and Intercommunal Affairs
B’nai B’rith International