Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

On the Tenth Anniversary of the Founding of the Kibbutz Yahel

Adopted by the CCAR at the 98th Annual Convention of

the Central Conference of American Rabbis

1987

We, members of the Central Conference of American Rabbis in convention assembled,

extend our warmest congratulations and greetings to the members of Kibbutz Yahel

as the tenth anniversary of the founding of Israel’s first Reform Kibbutz is being

celebrated. Yahel has been a source of light and pride for us. Sustained by idealistic members

of Garin Arava, together with a new generation of Israeli pioneers, Yahel has forged

new understandings of the role of Progressive Judaism in Israel, even as it continues to provide for us all one window into the Jewish future.

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

On Maintaining Contact with Members of the Israeli Political Establishment

Adopted by the CCAR at the 98th Annual Convention of

the Central Conference of American Rabbis

1987

It is to the distinct advantage of the Movement for Progressive Judaism in Israel,

and for Reform Judaism throughout the world, for open contact and communication to

be maintained between our congregations and the members of Israel’s political establishment. We see little benefit to be gained from any program or policy which would break

down such contact even with those who do not support or agree with our basic aims

and purposes.        

We, the members of the Central Conference of American Rabbis in convention assembled,

therefore call upon our colleagues to utilize every possible opportunity to meet

with members of the Israeli government when they would visit our communities and

our congregations. Such meetings would present invaluable opportunities for dialogue and

for a resultant growth in mutual understanding. It is reasonable and appropriate

for us to expect the scheduling of such meetings in private whenever a member of

the Israeli government is invited to our congregations and our communities.

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

Enhancing our Support for Progressive Judaism in Israel

Adopted by the CCAR at the 98th Annual Convention of

the Central Conference of American Rabbis

1987

We the members of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, express our gratitude

to and our support of the World Union for Progressive Judaism, the Association of

Reform Zionists of America, and KADIMA for all of their efforts on behalf of Progressive

Judaism in Israel. We urge our colleagues to strengthen and deepen their support for

these organizations, and to involve themselves personally in activities which give

expression to their programs.        

Furthermore, we support all efforts currently under way to forge a single, unified

fund-raising apparatus which would eliminate the troubling, inefficient, and redundant

efforts by each constituent element of Progressive Judaism to raise on its own desperately needed resources in North America. It is time to set aside old patterns of self-serving

competition, so as to guarantee that Progressive Judaism in Israel will have all

of its needs met fully and appropriately. It is no longer reasonable to assume that small, diffuse campaigns can effectively meet the needs of our movement in Israel;

neither is it reasonable to assume that our members will long tolerate what appears

to be an endless stream of fund-raising emissaries.        

Progressive Judaism in Israel has begun to move into a flourishing maturity. It deserves

and demands a unified, coherent, and generous pattern of support. Institutional competitiveness

must be replaced by a single, highly effective fund-raising program.

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

On the Growing Importance of the Hispanic and Asian Communities in the United States

Adopted by the CCAR at the 98th Annual Convention of

the Central Conference of American Rabbis

1987

WHEREAS the largest flow of immigration into the United States is presently from the

nations of Latin America and Asia, and these new immigrants are forming sizable communities

in many of North America” largest cities, and

WHEREAS our nations are comprised of immigrants who have kept alive their culture

while still becoming true and patriotic citizens of the their new countries, and

whose hard work contributed to the present strength and prosperity of our countries.

and

WHEREAS the unique American spirit of tolerance and pluralism have made our nations

great, and

WHEREAS we as Jews remember the difficult experience of immigration among our own

people and our own families,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Central Conference of American Rabbis acknowledge

the growing presence of Asian and Hispanic immigrants, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the CCAR call on the Jewish community to work together

with the Hispanic and Asian communities in areas of mutual concern, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the CCAR call on the Jewish communal institutions to reach

out to these growing communities and to help establish programs to provide human

services to facilitate adjustment to life in the United States, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the CCAR state its firm opposition to any movement to

establish English as the only legal language of the United States, which might lead

to legal and social disenfranchisement of these new Americans, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the CCAR strongly support publicly funded English as second

language programs.

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

Gun Control Lobbying

Adopted by the CCAR at the 98th Annual Convention of

the Central Conference of American Rabbis

1987

WHEREAS strict gun control laws endeavor to eliminate the senseless slaughter of humans

in our land by those who easily obtain unlicensed hand guns, and

WHEREAS the Central Conference of American Rabbis is on record as supporting those

laws, and

WHEREAS the CCAR stands firm in its opposition to the National Rifle Association for

its dedicated pursuit of unlicensed gun ownership, and

WHEREAS published figures indicate that the NRA has made substantial contributions

to the campaigns of individual U.S. Senators and members of the House of Representatives,

and

WHEREAS there is a correlation between the NRA contributions and those legislators’

voting records,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the CCAR call upon members of the U.S. Congress to eschew

the support of the NRA and to vote their support of stringent gun-control legislation.

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

Divestiture

Adopted by the CCAR at the 98th Annual Convention of

the Central Conference of American Rabbis

1987

WHEREAS in 1986 the Central Conference of American Rabbis adopted a resolution which

sought “o divest the CCAR of all investments in corporations doing business in South

Africa,”

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the CCAR urge all institutions and member congregations

of the Reform movement, including the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion

and Rabbinical Pension Board, to join with the CCAR and the Union of American Hebrew Congregations in a consistent policy of divestiture in South Africa.

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

Bicentennial of the Constitution of the United States

Adopted by the CCAR at the 98th Annual Convention of

the Central Conference of American Rabbis

1987

WHEREAS September 17, 1987, will mark the 200th anniversary of the completion of the

Constitution of the United States of America, and

WHEREAS the Constitution was ordained and established by the people of the United

States “in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic

tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure

the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity,” and

WHEREAS the provisions of the Constitution and the ethical values and mitzvot

of Judaism express shared aspirations, and

WHEREAS together with its Bill of Rights and subsequent Amendments, the Constitution

has secured its intended benefits for the people of the United States to an extent

unparalleled in human history, and

WHEREAS the lofty goals of the Constitution have not yet been fully realized for all

of the people of the United States, and

WHEREAS Judaism foresees an era in which the blessings that the Constitution seeks

to secure for the people of the United States will be enjoyed by all members of the

human family,

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

rejoice in the approaching Bicentennial of the Constitution of the United States

and call for renewed dedication to the sacred task that the Constitution envisions.

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

Congressional Campaign Finance Reform

Adopted by the CCAR at the 98th Annual Convention of

the Central Conference of American Rabbis

1987

WHEREAS in 1974 the United States Congress passed legislation effectively regulating

and limiting presidential campaign contributions by individuals and Political Action

Committees and established a system of partial public financing for such campaigns,

and

WHEREAS Congress did not include itself in this reform process, resulting in contributions

to candidates for Congress by more than 4,500 PACS of over 100 million dollars in

the 1986 congressional elections, and

WHEREAS our system can foster dependency on PAC money, and favors those candidates

who spend the most money on campaigns,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Central Conference of American Rabbis urge the passage

of legislation which would:

1. Limit the aggregate amount of contributions any candidate may accept from PACs,

in-kind contributions from other special interest groups, and cash donations;

2. provide partial public financing of congressional elections, patterned after similar

provisions for presidential elections;

3. Limit total campaign expenditures by any candidate;

4. establish free media response time and space for candidates who are targets of

negative political advertising.

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

Chabad

Adopted by the CCAR at the 98th Annual Convention of

the Central Conference of American Rabbis

1987

The struggle for democratic pluralism in Israel is of transcendent importance to the

Jewish people throughout the world. Current pressures and trends in Israel give no

clear indication as to the final resolution of this struggle.        

We, the members of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, express our gratitude

to all who have chosen to offer their moral and spiritual support to those trends

and movements within Israel which are committed to the shaping of a free and open

society within a Jewish State.        

We note with dismay the increasingly virulent pressures being generated        

from the United States by the Lubavitcher Movement. We believe that the intensity

of the Lubavitcher opposition to democratic forces in Israel and the separation of

Church and State in the United States, must be made manifest to all members of our

congregations and communities. We call upon ARZA, the CCAR, and the UAHC to continue to publicize

the extent and the nature of all such anti-pluralistic activities.

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.