National Post 
Wed Feb 3 2010 
Page: A19 
Section: Letters 
Byline: Reverend Jim Keenan 
Source: National Post 

I take issue with Yakov M. Rabkin’s assertion that the Canadian Jewish Congress is blackmailing the United Church over the issue of a fringe Jewish group. On Sept. 18, 2009, Bruce Gregersen, General Council Officer, Programs, acknowledged (with respect to the March 2008 $900 United Church of Canada grant that allegedly helped found the group) that greater scrutiny probably could have been exercised in this instance. The group in question was the Independent Jewish Voices (IJV).

Our General Secretary has stated emphatically that the United Church is “not partners with the IJV” and does not “encourage groups to act in partnership with the IJV.”

That statement was not the result of outside bullying. It was in response to a conversation from within the United Church community and, in my opinion, reflects mainstream United Church thinking with respect to our relations with our Jewish neighbours.

The IVJ is entitled to its opinions, but it is not any kind of partner with the United Church of Canada.

The United Church and the Canadian Jewish Congress must seek better ways to work together; let’s begin by seeking to listen to one another a bit more carefully.

Reverend Jim Keenan, Vaughan, Ont.