Two Protests
To the Editor:
. . . I was very sorry indeed to read I. J. Singer’s story [“Converts,” December 1964], not only because of its cynical portrayal of both the Jews and Gentiles, but also because the portrayal, allowing for exaggeration and caricature, is not true.
The Mission in the story is described as Anglican, and the only Anglican Mission that has worked in Warsaw is ours (which, being a “Low Church” would certainly have no crucifix . . .). Records of our work in Warsaw are available in this office for anyone to see. . . .
Jews, in varying degrees, dislike our Society and do all they can to combat its work. Quite right, too, but we in our evangelism and Jews in their resisting must use methods worthy of the God we both serve.
(Rev.) W. A. Curtis
General Secretary
The Church’s Ministry among the Jews
London, England
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To the Editor:
I. J. Singer’s story, “Converts,” was not up to your usual standard of fairness in dealing with matters of Jewish-Christian relationships. While it would no doubt be possible to find concrete examples of instances and situations as described in the story, in general the kind of stereotyped image of missions and converts which the story contains is in the long run harmful. . . .
May I therefore suggest that stories of this kind . . . be replaced by attempts to understand and be fair also to those with whom one disagrees. . . .
Anker Gjerding
Secretary
Committee on Church and the Jewish People
Geneva, Switzerland
