Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

80th Birthday of Dr. James Parkes

Adopted by the CCAR at the 87th Annual Convention of

the Central Conference of American Rabbis

1976

WHEREAS the distinguished British historian-theologian who has made such a tremendous

impact on furthering positive Jewish-Christian relationships, the Reverend Dr. James

W. Parkes, will be celebrating his eightieth birthday in December, 1976,

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the CCAR extends its felicitations to the Reverend Dr.

Parkes on this milestone and expresses its commendation to him for his outstanding

scholarly work in a field which has edified Jews and Christians.

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

Olympic Games

Adopted by the CCAR at the 87th Annual Convention of

the Central Conference of American Rabbis

1976

WHEREAS the Olympic Games will be held shortly in Montreal, and

WHEREAS the last Olympic Games were so tragically marred by the murder of eleven Israelis

by an act of terrorism that incensed the world, and

WHEREAS numerous requests have been made for the inclusion in the forthcoming Olympic

Games of an appropriate service of memorial to the fallen Israeli athletes who were

killed down in Munich,

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that we appeal to the Olympic Games committee that such a

memorial service be included in the official program of the Olympic Games to serve

not only as an appropriate tribute to the fallen sportsmen but also as a means of

reawakening the conscience of the world so that future acts of terrorism may never occur to

cast a dark shadow on an event which is based on the foundations of fairness, concern

for life and the development of a more peaceful community

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

Discussions Concerning the Middle East

Adopted by the CCAR at the 87th Annual Convention of

the Central Conference of American Rabbis

1976

WHEREAS the Central Conference of American Rabbis in 1975 "noted with interest and

favor the ongoing debate within Israel on various alternatives to bring about peace",

and

WHEREAS the Central Conference of American Rabbis then resolved to "encourage a full

discussion in the North American Jewish community of alternatives and call(ed) upon

our movement to sponsor forums for open discussion of all divergent points of view.

No subject, including options for the solution of the Palestinian problem, should be

ignored."

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the members of the Central Conference of American Rabbis,

recognizing our moral obligation as responsible members of the Jewish community to

engage in discussions of alternatives toward peace, recognizing that dissent is not

disloyalty, reaffirm our commitment to and support for open discussion on ways to bring

about a secure peace for Israel.

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

Discrimination of Israel

Adopted by the CCAR at the 87th Annual Convention of

the Central Conference of American Rabbis

1976

WHEREAS the State of Israel still suffers from discrimination in nongovernmental bodies

of the world such as the International Red Cross which continues to refuse to give

proper recognition to the Red Magen David in Israel and the World Health Organization and the International Labor Organization,

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that we call on our government and others to seek a speedy

inclusion of the Red Magen David of Israel into the International Red Cross and the

full recognition of Israel by non-governmental agencies which heretofore discriminate

against Israel.

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

Liturgy

Adopted by the CCAR at the 87th Annual Convention of

the Central Conference of American Rabbis

1976

WHEREAS this is a time of liturgical renewal in our movement, we reaffirm the central

place given to the reading of the Torah in the Synagogue service,

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that we endorse the desire of the World Jewish Bible Society

to make the reading of the Torah more meaningful in all synagogues. We approve the

custom of reading and translating a substantial portion of the Torah at each service

where appropriate. We urge our members to introduce each reading with appropriate comments

so that our congregants will gain an understanding of its meaning for past generations

and for our times.

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

Leadership Training

Adopted by the CCAR at the 87th Annual Convention of

the Central Conference of American Rabbis

1976

WHEREAS in his Presidential address Rabbi Arthur J. Lelyveld has expressed concern

about our capacity to train a committed and literate lay leadership for our synagogues,

and

WHEREAS we share a similar concern about adequate programming for our post-college

young adults,

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that we join with our President in calling for a Joint UAHC-CCAR

Commission on Leadership Training with the stated goal of generating and sustaining

a loyalty to the synagogue itself as well as the Covenant ideals for which it stands.

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

95th Birthday of Dr. Mordecai M Kaplan

Adopted by the CCAR at the 87th Annual Convention of

the Central Conference of American Rabbis

1976

WHEREAS Mordecai M. Kaplan is one of the most illustrious Jewish leaders of our times

whose innovative interpretations of Jewish existence have influenced us in many ways,

and

WHEREAS in defining Judaism as an evolving religious civilization Mordecai M. Kaplan

has added immeasurably to our understanding, and

WHEREAS in founding the Jewish Reconstructionist movement Mordecai M. Kaplan has placed

within the framework of Jewish life of the twentieth century a method of Jewish living

that is rational and meaningful, and

WHEREAS Mordecai M. Kaplan has had a distinguished career as a teacher and preacher

of Judaism, and

WHEREAS Mordecai M. Kaplan’s many writings have edified, challenged, inspired, and

WHEREAS Mordecai M. Kaplan is about to celebrate his 95th birthday,

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Central Conference of American Rabbis conveys to

him its sincerest congratulations, its abiding respect and its fervent hope for years

of continued creative thinking and that it lauds him and prays for him “Ad meah ve-esrim shana.”

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

Joint Placement Commission

Adopted by the CCAR at the 87th Annual Convention of

the Central Conference of American Rabbis

1976

BE IT RESOLVED that we request the leadership of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations

to urge its Board of Trustees and its representatives on the Joint Placement Commission

to endorse the action of the Central Conference of American Rabbis with respect to present placement procedures and ask that the Placement Review Committee deal

promptly with these problems and report to the next CCAR convention

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

Jewish Community Structure

Adopted by the CCAR at the 87th Annual Convention of

the Central Conference of American Rabbis

1976

WHEREAS the President of the Central Conference of American Rabbis has recommended

the appointment of a “carefully selected Study Commission to analyze what is happening

to the structure of the Jewish community, identify new forms that are emerging and

seek out the means of protecting and strengthening the institution we represent,”

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that we request the appointment of such a Study Commission

and that the Union of American Hebrew Congregations be invited to join in this study

in an official capacity, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study include consideration of the changing structure

of the Jewish community and its relation to the status, tasks and goals of the synagogue.

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

Israel

Adopted by the CCAR at the 87th Annual Convention of

the Central Conference of American Rabbis

1976

WHEREAS the State of Israel is in a desperate struggle for survival; Zionism and the

Jewish People are under attack by a malicious Arab propaganda campaign; the United

Nations General Assembly and its various commissions continue to be manipulated to

discredit Israel, Zionism and the Jewish People; Arab boycotts of Israel and Jews continue;

Israel is forced to maintain its defense posture at a level which continues to disrupt

its economy and thwart its efforts to render the essential human services to its

people; and

WHEREAS we have concern for the future actions of our own United States government,

the Israeli government, the leadership of Arab states and groups; and

WHEREAS we feel an obligation to respond properly, responsibly and forthrightly as

a conference of rabbis who have a long record of love and loyalty for the State of

Israel combined with a fervent dedication to peace,

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that we call on the government of the United States to continue

its opposition to the calumnies against Zionism and the Jewish People in the United

Nations and to approach with the greatest caution proposals for the creation of a

Palestinian state or for the disruption of a currently unified Jerusalem, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we call on the government of the State of Israel to continue

to seek out avenues of peace, to denounce efforts of such groups as Gush Emunim which

can only further exacerbate existing tensions and drive Arabs and Jews further apart at a time when the cause of peace requires a narrowing of the gap between them

and we commend the government of Israel for its efforts to restrain the illegal activities

of Gush Emunim, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we call on the leaders of Arab nations and groups within

the Arab world to recognize the right of the State of Israel to exist and commit

themselves to joining with Israel in a search for a lasting peace in the Middle East.