Resolution Adopted by the CCAR
On Central America
Adopted by the CCAR at the 95th Annual Convention of
the Central Conference of American Rabbis
Grossingers, New York, June 18-21, 1984
The Central Conference of American Rabbis is dedicated to the pursuit of justice and
peace. It is our firm belief that governments should promote harmony. Our own government,
therefore, should insist on a policy that makes for stable and democratic societies in this hemisphere. Conditions prevalent in Central America–poverty, exploitation,
political subversion and lack of educational opportunity–have made for general insecurity
and the opportunity for a revolutionary take-over. Our government should make every effort to ameliorate the conditions responsible for political instability.
Therefore be it resolved that:
1. The Central Conference of American Rabbis call upon our own government and all
other governments through the United Nations or the Organization of American States
to relieve the conditions that have been prevalent in Central America through economic
assistance that will encourage these nations to develop democratically;
2. Religious communities should be consulted by our government and encouraged to play
a role in stabilizing Central America;
3. We oppose military aid by any country to governments that systematically deny human
rights to their citizens;
4. We urge all governments to refrain, either directly or through third parties, from
the support of any government that abets terrorist groups, either from the right
or the left, threatening the peace of the countries. As in the past, we hold that
human rights must be extended to all segments of the population before military or economic
assistance is provided either directly or through third parties;
5. The Central Conference of American Rabbis oppose the use of any country in the
Caribbean or Central or South American region as a staging area for intervention
against any other country;
6. We urge the United States government to liberalize the providing of sanctuary to
refugees fleeing from oppression;
7. The Central Conference of American Rabbis urge the use of our synagogues as sanctuaries
for refugees and commend those of our colleagues who have been actively involved
in promoting freedom and democracy in Central America here and there;
8. We commend Costa Rica for its leadership in bringing peace to Central America;
9. We endorse sponsorship by the Central Conference of American Rabbis of a Study
Mission to Central America, with participation by the CCAR Committee of Justice and
Peace and the Social Action Commission.