Resolution Adopted by the CCAR
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AND EQUAL RIGHTS
Adopted at the Convention of the
Central Conference of American Rabbis
1973
WHEREAS our Jewish commitment has moved us to work for the achievement of a
just society;
and
WHEREAS the CCAR has supported the efforts of all minority groups to achieve
equality
in education and employment; and
WHEREAS we applaud and identify with sincere efforts to rectify the ills and
injustices
that have long been part of our American social system,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that: We encourage the full and prompt implementation
of
the Affirmative Action Program as outlined in Executive Order #11246 of
September,
1965. This order calls for business and educational institutions dealing with
the
government to take affirmative action to increase the numbers of minority
group members and
women in their programs.
We recognize that this order with its subsequent revisions of October, 1968
and October,
1972 recognizes that to maintain the status quo in education and employment is
to
perpetuate historic injustices. At the same time, these executive guidelines
prohibit so-called reverse discrimination against any individual because of
race, religion,
or sex.
Only by acting vigorously to expand education and employment opportunities for
all,
may the gap between rich and poor be narrowed and equal opportunity for all be
guaranteed.
The enemies of the American Jew are not other minority groups, but rather
poverty, discrimination, and economic chaos. Not to take from one group and
give to another
but to broaden opportunities for all should be our national objective.
In this spirit we pledge our continued support for all efforts to rectify the
social
ills which are still in our midst, in keeping with the mandate of our Jewish
tradition.