Resolution Adopted by the CCAR
Proposal for a National Beit Din
Adopted by the CCAR at the 98th Annual Convention of
the Central Conference of American Rabbis
1987
WHEREAS K’lal Yisrael
(the entire People of Israel) is of primary concern to the Reform movement and we
are committed to the values of ahavat Yisrael
(the love of Israel) and achdut Yisrael
(the unity of Israel), and
WHEREAS we are concerned that the People of Israel not fracture into sect-like movements,
and
WHEREAS this danger is exacerbated by non-recognition of procedures in the area of
ishut
(personal status), specifically in gerut
(conversion) and gittin
(divorce),
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Central Conference of American Rabbis join in the
call to all Jewish religious movements to explore possibilities for a North American
Beit Din
(rabbinical court) made up of rabbis from all Jewish religious movements to oversee
conversion and divorce, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the president of the CCAR appoint a committee to implement
this exploration.