Resolution Adopted by the CCAR
Bilateral Nuclear Arms Freeze and Reduction
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 Central Conference of American Rabbis expresses its extreme concern over the potential
for destruction to our civilization that a nuclear war poses. A nuclear war, even
a “limited” one, would result in death, injury, and disease on a scale without precedent. Civil defense and medical treatment would be totally inadequate. Our traditions
speak to us of Sakanat Nefashot
, the danger of exposing ourselves to health hazards; Bal Tashchit,
the abhorrence of willful destruction of the environment; and Yishuv Ha-arets,
the betterment and guardianship of the earth. Inspired by the prophets, we raise
our voices to call upon the United States government and the Union of Soviet Socialist
Republics to adopt a mutual freeze on the testing, production, and deployment of
nuclear weapons and new delivery systems for nuclear weapons. We further call upon the U.S.
and USSR to work against the proliferation of nuclear weapons and weapons-grade nuclear
materials, and to commit themselves to reducing their present levels of nuclear weapons and weapons-grade nuclear material.
We commend the endeavors of outspoken clergy, responsible physicians and scientists,
and concerned citizens who advocated nuclear disarmament.
We call upon the regions of the CCAR and other constituent bodies to endorse local,
state, and national efforts to freeze the nuclear arms race.
The CCAR calls upon all national religious organizations to convene a special convocation
for nuclear arms control in Washington, and urges that the convocation be arranged
at the earliest feasible time.