A delegation of 16 leaders from the American Jewish Committee (AJC) visited the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and met with Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. The AJC leaders are currently in New York for the AJC Global Forum, the organization’s largest annual gathering, which includes “Advocacy in Action” opportunities to address issues of mutual concern with senior leaders.
The group, led by Rabbi Noam Marans, Director of AJC Interreligious Affairs, included prominent lay leaders such as David Inlander, former Chair of AJC’s Interreligious Affairs Committee, and Rabbi David Rosen, former Director of Religious Affairs for AJC and Special Interfaith Advisor at the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
In his welcome remarks, Archbishop Elpidophoros affirmed his commitment to deepening cooperation with AJC, stating: “I am committed to working side by side with AJC to combat outright anti-Jewish sentiment, as well as those who claim to defend against anti-Semitism but often foster the very thing they pretend to oppose… Finally, in welcoming all of you to the Archdiocese of America, I would cite His All-Holiness Bartholomew, who said in 2003: ‘Judaism and Christianity have been living in a state of dialogue for two thousand years. We must keep talking, and we will make the world listen!’”
Rabbi Noam Marans responded by introducing the delegation and highlighting the historic collaboration between the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the Jewish community, dating back at least to the time of Archbishop Iakovos and his close friendship with Rabbi Marc Tanenbaum.
The discussion continued over lunch, facilitated by David Inlander, offering a frank and heartfelt exchange of views. The gathering reaffirmed the shared conviction that love and dialogue are foundational for building a lasting and sustainable peace.
Photos: Orthodox Observer/Dimitrios Panagos
