Mrs. Hazel Crowley is president of this organization which is pioneering dialogue between Christians and Jews in West Virginia. The Root and the Branch sponsors in-depth discussion between Jewish and Christian scholars in the city of Charleston, the state capital.

At a recent conference on "Restoration: Clergy and Congregation," the participants included Rev. Morton L. Estep, pastor of the First Church of the Nazarene South Charleston for some thirty years; Rabbi Victor Urecki, who has served B’nai Jocob Synagogue in Charleston for ten years; Rev. P. Edward Sadie, Rector of Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral in Charleston for fifteen years; and Rev. Paul H. Farley, pastor of the Landmark Church of God in Nitro, W.V.

It is this kind of dialogue that brings together leaders of various communions in the Christian church to interact with the leaders of the Jewish community in their city that is producing greater mutual understanding among Christian denominations and between Christians and Jews. Working on the grass-roots level, this sort of interaction is vital to establishing friendships and common interests that help both the Jewish and the Christian communities where it counts, among neighbors.

Mrs. Crowley and those who work with her are to be commended for their exemplary promotion of a very Biblical and a very Judaic practice, counsel together to bring understanding. Those who would like more information on ways in which they can become more active in planning, promoting, and presenting such local dialogues should contact