Resolution Adopted by the CCAR
Enriching our Personal Commitments to Israel
Adopted by the CCAR at the 93rd Annual Convention of
the Central Conference of American Rabbis
New York City, June 27-July 1, 1982
The dynamic relationships between and among Jewish communities throughout the world
continue to be mutually enriching and supportive. This is especially true of the
ever-deepening ties between the Jewish communities of Israel and North America.
We urge total congregational support for the vitally essential membership and information
campaigns of ARZA and KADIMA. The united voice of liberal religious Zionists must
be strengthened by growing numbers of Reform Jews. We take concerned note of the
fact that the struggle for religious pluralism in Israel is being joined in the international
arena at this very moment We insist that equity and justice best serve the religious
concerns of our people. Reform Judaism will not tolerate anything less than equal status. The legitimacy of our rabbis and of our movement is not a matter for negotiation.
We commend those congregations which support the wide variety of high school and college
level programs in Israel coordinated by NFTY. Efforts ought to be undertaken to significantly
increase the number of congregational study missions to Israel under rabbinic leadership, even as we urge greater participation in the CCAR’s summer kibbutz
program for colleagues.
We call upon our colleagues to support those who choose as a constructive commitment
to the future of Israel, to the Jewish people, and to Reform Judaism.
We encourage colleagues to participate actively in local and national UJA and Israel
Bonds organizations as well as in the creating of positive ties with local Israeli
consulates. Such ties can go a long way toward improving communication and in fostering understanding.
The growth of Kibbutz Yahel and Kibbutz Lotan, as well as the planned Mitzpeh settlement
in the Galilee, represent a significant investment in the establishment of a native
form of liberal Judaism even as the ordination in Israel of Sabras into the Reform rabbinate has greatly enhanced our claim to authenticity as an indigenous form of
Jewish religious expression. It is appropriate for the Reform rabbinate of North
America to undertake the responsibility for supporting such programs in every possible
way.