Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

BAECK, LEO

Digests of resolutions adopted by the

Central Conference of American Rabbis

between 1889 and 1974

1.

The Leo Baeck School in Haifa is an important and influential means for

developing

a liberal approach to Judaism among the youth in Israel. l n order to aid it

in its

growth and development, we urge all members of the Conference to encourage

their

youth groups and student bodies to contribute generously to it. We believe

that our own students

will be greatly enriched by this relationship with their fellows in the State

of

Israel. (1964, p. 123)

2. See Progressive Judaism in Israel.

( 1958)

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

AUTOMATION

Digests of resolutions adopted by the

Central Conference of American Rabbis

between 1889 and 1974

1.

The CCAR calls upon the Administration which shall be elected in the

forthcoming

national elections to call as soon as feasible a White House Conference on

Automation

composed of leaders of government, industry, labor, education, religion and

social

welfare agencies. The purposes of this Conference shall be:

(a) To evaluate the extent and tempo of Automation for the next decade.

(b) To mobilize public and private education agencies for a coordinated

retraining

program which will make available to youth and adults the skills and

knowledges required

in automated industries, and to provide the skills, disciplines and attitudes

necessary for the most creative use of leisure time.

(c) To mobilize the religious and social welfare agencies to help create the

climate

of opinion in which the process of technological change may have the least

disruptive

consequences on the values of the person, the home and the community.

(1956)

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

ATOMIC WEAPONS

Digests of resolutions adopted by the

Central Conference of American Rabbis

between 1889 and 1974

1. The Central Conference of American Rabbis urges our government to continue

its

efforts for an international agreement to govern or abolish the testing of

nuclear

weapons. (1956, p. 139)

2. We urge that both private and public agencies promptly launch programs of

study

leading to plans for the redeployment of our economy from production to war

potential

to production for peaceful uses. (1960, p. 120)

3. See International Peace.

4. See International Cooperation.

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

ATOMIC ENERGY

Digests of resolutions adopted by the

Central Conference of American Rabbis

between 1889 and 1974

1. We urge that atomic energy be outlawed as an instrument of international

warfare,

and that the development of atomic energy remain forever under government

ownership

and civilian control and that the secrets of the release of atomic energy be

shared

with the world when proper controls have been set up by the United Nations.

(1946, p.

102)

2. We view with grave misgivings the tampering by partisan politics of atomic

energy

affairs on the part of Congress. The control of this great force for good or

evil

should not be allowed to fall into military hands but should remain the

responsibility

of high-minded public servants. (1948, p. 128)

3. We express our approval of the effective service of the Atomic Energy

Committee

and insist that civilian control be preserved. (1949, p. 128)

4. The power of the atom is the source both of hope and fear. Yet we cannot

believe

that upon man was bestowed this divine gift–this wisdom to wrest from the

universe

its secrets–only to bring about his own destruction. In the atom we see not

only

the threat of death, but also the promise of new horizons for undreamed of

life. We urge the

continued and unceasing efforts on the part of our own government in company

with

men of good will in all lands to further the peace-time uses of the atom and

to make

its blessings felt in the farthest corners of the earth. (1955, p. 64)

5. Whereas the testing of nuclear weapons involves unusual and not wholly

predictable

dangers to human life; and

Whereas continued tests of such weapons intensify an atmosphere of hostility

among

nations;

Be it resolved that the CCAR urge our government to continue its efforts for

an international

agreement to govern or abolish the testing of nuclear weapons. (1956)

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

JEWS IN ARAB LANDS

Digests of resolutions adopted by the

Central Conference of American Rabbis

between 1889 and 1974

1. The CCAR reiterates its ongoing concern for the tragic situation of our

fellow

Jews in Arab lands. We respectfully urge our government, through its own

offices

and through the United Nations, to bend its full efforts toward ameliorating

the

disabilities and persecution now being visited upon Jews in Arab lands. (1968,

p. 138)

2. The Central Conference of American Rabbis proclaims its support of a

program to

accomplish three goals for the Jews of Syria and Iraq:

To provide for free emigration from Syria and Iraq and indeed all nations

for Jews

who wish to leave for whatever reason;

To provide freedom of movement, education and employment for Jews who do

not wish

to leave their homes in Arab lands for whatever reason;

To provide a healthier outlook for Jewish children attending Jewish

schools paid

for with Jewish money by insisting that Jews be permitted the necessary higher

education

which will qualify them as teachers of Diaspora Jewry. (1974, p. 47)

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

BIBLE TRANSLATION

Digests of resolutions adopted by the

Central Conference of American Rabbis

between 1889 and 1974

1. The Central Conference of American Rabbis recommends a new version of the

Holy

Scriptures in modern English that will make use of the findings of philology,

archaeology,

and other departments of knowledge to approach more closely to the Hebrew

text. (1951, p. 200)

Our people have long felt the need of a translation in a simpler and more

comprehensive

idiom. The Jewish Publication Society has, therefore, undertaken a new

translation,

designed to incorporate the findings of recent scholarship, in the language of

the

present century.

2. The Central Conference of American Rabbis, which cooperated in the earlier

translation,

expresses its deep interest in the new venture, and calls upon its members to

assist

the Jewish Publication Society in enlisting support for this project. (1956,

p. 138)

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

BIRTH CONTROL

Digests of resolutions adopted by the

Central Conference of American Rabbis

between 1889 and 1974

1. We approve the Cummins-Vail Bill. (1926, p. 109)

2. We urge the recognition of the importance of the control of parenthood as

one of

the methods of coping with social problems. (1929, p. 86)

3. We urge recognition of the importance of intelligent birth regulation. We

are aware

of the many serious evils caused by lack of birth control. (1930, p. 78,

report)

4. Reaffirms 1930 report and goes on record as favoring the inclusion of

Planned Parenthood

services in hospitals and other agencies where this service should be given

and urges

that the Board of Directors of health and welfare agencies permit their

professional staff members to make maximum use of these services as a

community health resource.

(1947, pp. 219-20)

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

BUBER, MARTIN

Digests of resolutions adopted by the

Central Conference of American Rabbis

between 1889 and 1974

The pen of Martin Buber has written his last word. The teacher of two

generations

has ascended to the Academy on High. The Central Conference of American Rabbis

pauses

in reverence at the passing of the great master. His death heightens the

realization

of how much of the intellectual and spiritual space in which we live has set

its dimensions

through the influence of Martin Buber. In the discourse of the world’s

thinkers his

concept of "I and Thou" is a line of reference necessary to the

thoughtful student

of human existence. Martin Buber, in his life and work, has continued the way

of the

teachers of the Torah. While bespeaking the uniqueness of the Jewish people in

history,

he evolved a message of universal impact. An eloquent spokesman of Zionism,

his focus was upon the strong spiritual bond of the land of Israel for Jews

throughout the

world. Yet his vision of Zion fulfilled awaits a rapprochement of Jew and

Arab. A

discoverer of the vital message of Hasidism for the deepening of Jewish

experience,

he brought the world to inspired admiration of what had been considered an

obscure movement

of Eastern European Jewry. He was an inspired interpreter and translator of

the Bible.

He probed the subtle depths of its language, and in a teaching encounter with

young and old, he demonstrated the timeless relevance of the Book of

Books.

Last flower of the Golden Age of German Jewry, he struck deep roots in Israel

as a

teacher to a generation of Israelis. In his visits to other countries he was

hailed

as the bridge builder who linked divergent peoples and faiths in the dialogue

created

by the discovery of the "Other." It can be truly said of him: The

wise and learned increase

the peace of all generations.

Be it resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the bereaved

family.

(1965, p. 118)

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

CIVIC AFFAIRS

Digests of resolutions adopted by the

Central Conference of American Rabbis

between 1889 and 1974

1. We urgently recommend that the religious leaders of America interest

themselves

actively in civic affairs and civic organizations in order that incompetency

and

corruption be ended in Government and ethical standards be maintained in the

interest

of the citizens. (1942. p. 102)

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

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