Is tolerance and reconciliation enough?

JTA
11.11.2008
Lisa Hostein

Is tolerance and reconciliation the antidote to racism and anti-Semitism? Moshe Kantor, the head of the European Jewish Congress, seems to think so as he promotes a new initiative this week to combat prejudice and hate in Europe.

So does Rabbi Marc Schneier, who is organizing a “Weekend of Twinning” between 50 synagogues and mosques in the United States later this month, touted in a full-page ad in The New York Times today. This on top of an interfaith gathering at the United Nations this week that will feaure King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.

But there are skeptics, as Bret Stephens of the Wall Street Journal writes. And others wonder whether the Saudi initiative is more of a public relations ploy more than anything else. Some Jews will be sitting down with the king to find out.