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.        

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

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 Central Conference of American Rabbis stands by Israel in its struggle for survival.

The present crisis in Lebanon is the result of the role of the PLO as a terrorist

organization, whose acts of violence threaten the lives of the peoples of both Israel and Lebanon. These assaults were clearly intolerable, and Israel was forced to respond

so as to secure its towns and villages from bombardment and from terrorist infiltration.        

We commend the United States Government for its sensitivity to the needs of the Israeli

and Lebanese peoples in this situation, and we urge strongly the continuance of existing

policies which offer a realistic hope for peace.        

We lament the tragic loss of life on all sides in Lebanon. The horrors of war remain

forever deep and abiding. The shattering of lives, limbs, and homes grieves us all.

We call upon all sides to act now so as to make certain that such suffering be ended

by extending the cease-fire. We urge all parties to the conflict to continue these

negotiations facilitated by U.S. Ambassador Habib so as to seize the moment and to

work for the formation of a strong and stable central government in Lebanon freed

from the presence of all foreign troops on its soil.        

The Conference urges support for efforts under Jewish and non-Jewish auspices which

are now seeking funds within our communities so as to provide food, medical supplies,

and shelter for the people of Lebanon who are the victims of war.        

This is a time appropriate for new and far-reaching peace initiatives.        

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

Dr. Solomon B. Freehof

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 resolves to congratulate one of its most

honored members, Dr. Solomon B. Freehof, on the occasion of his ninetieth birthday.

The Conference and its members are grateful for the scores of years during which

Solomon B. Freehof has guided his colleagues and labored on their behalf. We are mindful of

his leadership as president of the Conference, president of the World Union for Progressive

Judaism, chairman of the CCAR Responsa Committee, chairman of the Commission on Jewish Education, and editor of the Union Prayerbook

. Solomon B. Freehof’s intellectual achievements are numerous. He has developed Reform

halacha

and helped to bring it into the mainstream of our movement. His felicitous style

has added to the beauty of our prayerbooks. We have benefited from his pulpit eloquence

and his interpretation of Scripture in terms of the twentieth century.        

As a bearer of the tradition he has embodied the spirit of vast erudition in the field

of rabbinic literature. In this Conference he is a link to the first and second generations

of American Reform rabbis and thinkers.

Be it resolved

that the Central Conference of American Rabbis congratulate Solomon B. Freehof and

wish him continued years of productivity and intellectual leadership. May God’s blessing

rest upon him.

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

Ethiopian Jewry

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 and the government of the State of Israel

commend the American Association for Ethiopian Jews for their efforts and achievements

on behalf of Ethiopian Jewry. We are grateful for the increased numbers of Ethiopian Jews who are being rescued in recent months, and we call upon our members to redouble

their efforts on behalf of the rescue of these brethren, these co-religionists, who

are in danger of systematic eradication. We call upon members of the Conference to

support such efforts financially, by education, and by prompting increased awareness

throughout the Jewish communities of North America.        

We note that in place of the previously used name, “Falashim,” which is seen as a

pejorative by those who bear it because it means “slaves,” we call upon our members

to speak of these individuals as “Ethiopian Jews.”        

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

Expiration of ERA Ratification

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, assembled in convention on July 1, 1982,

notes the expiration yesterday of the term of ratification by the state legislatures

for the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America.        

We express our disappointment that the simple, fundamental principle of equality in

the civil rights of men and women, which we have sought to teach and observe in the

rabbinate, in the synagogue, and in communal life, has not enjoyed sufficient acceptance throughout the land to entitle its inclusion among the articles of our Constitution.        

We commend the supporters of the E.R.A. for their sincere commitment to equality of

the sexes, for their demonstrated faith in the American Constitutional system, and

for the sacrifices they have borne in the advancement of this system.        

We enter a new phase in the struggle for the equality of the sexes. May the Creator

of woman and man bless our efforts with success, and may all who promote this cause

continue to wear the crown of integrity.        

We urge the members of Congress to work towards the submission of a new Equal Rights

Amendment.

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

ECUMENICAL WEDDING CEREMONIES: CO-OFFICIATION WITH CLERGY OF OTHER FAITHS

Adopted by the CCAR at the 93rd Annual Convention of

the Central Conference of American Rabbis

New York City, June 27-July 1, 1982

In 1909, and again in 1947 and in 1973, the Central Conference of American Rabbis declared its opposition to the performance of mixed marriages by its members. Mindful of these prior resolutions, we now call special attention to the most flagrant form of mixed marriages–co-officiating with non-Jewish clergy-and publicly repudiate that practice.

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

Registration and the Draft

Adopted by the CCAR at the 93rd Annual Convention of

the Central Conference of American Rabbis

New York City, June 27-July 1, 1982

Whereas

we have previously recognized the right of both conscientious objection and selective

conscientious objection to war; and

Whereas

registration at this time is unnecessary; and

Whereas,

believing that the costs of such an action draw funds from needed social, educational,

and economic programs that will make for social betterment,

Resolved,

that the Central Conference of American Rabbis opposes the inauguration or implementation

by our government of any national draft at this time. Similarly, we oppose the idea

of registering our youth at this time for some future draft. We believe that should there arise some national emergency necessitating the mobilization of our population,

sufficient techniques exist by which to effect that mobilization.

Further resolved,

that we urge our colleagues to provide counseling services to interested and affected

individuals, and to advertise widely this service in and through the community, so

that Jewish youth particularly might know where they might go for counseling that

is based on the Jewish religious tradition.

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

Erosion of Civil Liberties

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 CCAR reaffirms its historic commitment to the advancement of civil rights in our

nation. Executive orders, congressional legislation, and Supreme Court decisions

over the past several decades reflected our national will to achieve equal opportunity

in employment, housing, education, and voting rights. We hail this national purpose

as one of history’s momentous undertakings, while recognizing that such fundamental

changes in the social and political structures of a nation are not easily or quickly

achieved. Nevertheless, the last vestiges of slavery and discrimination must be rooted

out by a determined national consciousness. Only through continued effective and

vigorous enforcement of the laws of the land can we preserve the momentum to translate

the constitutional guarantees of justice and equality for all into reality.        

Therefore we note with deep concern those actions which signal a retreat from our

national commitment to civil rights, including:

1. Crippling budgetary and staff cuts inhibiting the effectiveness of national civil

rights enforcement agencies.

2. Attempts to weaken or subvert existing legislation for civil rights by riders attached

to authorization legislation.

3. The abandonment of those regulations which implement non-discriminatory requirements,

such as the prohibition of tax-exempt status for segregated educational institutions

and the prohibition of membership payment to private clubs by corporations for their executive staff.

4. Suggested amendments to our Constitution which would limit the jurisdiction of

the Supreme Court in critical areas of human rights.

5. The proposed Constitutional Amendment which could require prayer in public schools.

We call upon the Conference leadership and all of our rabbinic colleagues to speak

forthrightly and to work vigorously to prevent these incursions into our basic civil

liberties. We shall seek to join with like-minded national religious and civic organizations in opposing all of these threats to human rights that are being supported by

the radical religious right throughout our nation.

Be it resolved

that this concern be communicated to President Ronald Reagan and to appropriate members

of the Senate and Congress by the president of the Central Conference of American

Rabbis.

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

Central America

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 political and military situation in El Salvador, Guatemala, and throughout Central

America continues to be a grave concern to the Central Conference of American Rabbis.        

We note reports of continued violence and exploitation against the rural populations

of El Salvador and Guatemala.        

We note the failure of the present coalition government in El Salvador to support

the proposed land reform measures, advocated by the United States government and

some political leaders in El Salvador.        

We are deeply aggrieved by the violence against the Roman Catholic Church in El Salvador

and Guatemala, and the failure of the governments to investigate murders of missionaries

and other Americans.        

We, therefore, urge the United States Congress, the State Department, and the Department

of Defense to withhold any military support for these nations until there is evidence

of acceptance of broad coalitions within the governments and of equitable political solutions to the problems besetting these nations.        

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

Censorship of Books

Adopted by the CCAR at the 93rd Annual Convention of

the Central Conference of American Rabbis

New York City, June 27-July 1, 1982

Across our nation there is a growing effort to ban books from schools and public libraries.

Therefore be it resolved:

1. That the CCAR affirms its support for First Amendment guarantees of free speech.

We take cognizance of the recent Supreme Court decision and call for redoubled efforts

in accord with the above stance.

2. That we call upon public school boards and library boards across our country to

resist these pressures.

3. That we ask our colleagues to urge public school boards and public library boards

to support these First Amendment rights and to give support, as necessary, to those

that do.