Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

Sale of American Arms to Saudi Arabia

Adopted by the CCAR at the 92nd Annual Convention of

the Central Conference of American Rabbis

Jerusalem, Israel June 23-28, 1981

The enhancement of the offensive capabilities of the F-15 warplanes sold two years

ago to Saudi Arabia, and the sale of AWACs, can only present an ability and temptation

to use them against the State of Israel, against whom Saudi Arabia has sworn jihad

, holy war, repeatedly and only recently. Israel is the steadfast ally of the United

States, and cannot be placed in such a position of jeopardy.        

When the F-15 aircraft were sold to Saudi Arabia, a solemn promise was made by the

United States Government not to deliver such enhancement packages. The new Administration

is bound by that promise, and cannot be viewed in the eyes of the world as not living up to its covenants.        

Furthermore, we must remember the lesson of Iran. The Saudi government is unstable,

and all the arms sent to, and intended for it, could fall into the hands of unfriendly

forces, to the detriment of the United States and the West.        

Such an unnecessary sale, particularly without achieving Saudi acceptance of the State

of Israel and a firm guarantee to join in the Camp David peace process, will only

serve to fuel the arms race and antagonisms in the Middle East, further destabilizing

the region and acting in the worst interests of the United States and our allies.        

We call upon the Administration to withdraw its proposal to provide the offensive

capability packages and AWACs to Saudi Arabia, and should formal notification be

sent to Congress, we call upon the Congress to vote against.        

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

World Anti-Semitism

Adopted by the CCAR at the 92nd Annual Convention of

the Central Conference of American Rabbis

Jerusalem, Israel June 23-28, 1981

We have noticed with great alarm, and also experienced first hand, a tremendous upsurge

in world anti-Semitism during the previous year. Hate-filled thoughts which some

people once hesitated to utter are now commonly and brazenly spoken. Hate-filled

actions which some people once hesitated to take are now commonly and brazenly perpetrated.

These words and deeds pose a threat to the Jewish community, to its friends and to

other minority communities, regardless of race or creed.        

Both at home and abroad, events are occurring which desecrate the principles of human

decency and mutual understanding. In France, Jewish schools, businesses and synagogues

have become targets of neo-fascist killers and vandals. The response of the French government has been insufficient at best. In the Soviet Union, refusenik emigration

has been cut almost 90% and more Jews, such as Viktor Brailovsky, are being incarcerated.

In Iran, the Jewish community is under increasing threats from the Ayatollah Khomeini and his henchmen. The deplorable execution of a prominent Iranian .Jewish journalist

recently added to the mounting fear. In Argentina, the government continues a policy

of overt libel, detention, and torture. In Ethiopia, Falashan Jewry moves closer

to extinction as its people are killed, dispersed and literally enslaved. In the United

States, the renewed militancy of the Ku Klux Klan has led to the indoctrination of

innocent young people, bloodshed, and murder. Even in our own regions, desecration

of cemeteries, vandalism and arson in synagogues and community centers have become a

mounting concern for Jewish institutions. These examples comprise only a partial

list.

Therefore, be it resolved

that the CCAR calls upon its members and their constituent organizations and synagogues

to respond to this growing problem in several ways.

a) By making both adults and children aware of the current situation and by educating

them on the historical roots of anti-Semitism.

b) By responding to local acts of anti-Semitism appropriately and in consultation

with such Jewish agencies as the American Jewish Committee, the Anti-Defamation League,

Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation, the American Jewish Congress,

and the Canadian Jewish Congress; and with the support of responsible Jews in all segments

of Jewish society, especially the elderly.

c) By organizing letter-writing campaigns and petition drives that will make the government

and law enforcement officials aware of the situation and prompt them to take immediate

and effective action.

d) By forming coalitions with church organizations and ministerial groups in an ongoing

manner to mobilize the religious community to fight this poisonous trend that threatens

the American way of life.

e) By discouraging vigilante-like action on behalf of the Jewish community as advocated

and practiced by some organizations.

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

World Anti-Semitism

Adopted by the CCAR at the 92nd Annual Convention of

the Central Conference of American Rabbis

Jerusalem, Israel June 23-28, 1981

We have noticed with great alarm, and also experienced first hand, a tremendous upsurge

in world anti-Semitism during the previous year. Hate-filled thoughts which some

people once hesitated to utter are now commonly and brazenly spoken. Hate-filled

actions which some people once hesitated to take are now commonly and brazenly perpetrated.

These words and deeds pose a threat to the Jewish community, to its friends and to

other minority communities, regardless of race or creed.        

Both at home and abroad, events are occurring which desecrate the principles of human

decency and mutual understanding. In France, Jewish schools, businesses and synagogues

have become targets of neo-fascist killers and vandals. The response of the French government has been insufficient at best. In the Soviet Union, refusenik emigration

has been cut almost 90% and more Jews, such as Viktor Brailovsky, are being incarcerated.

In Iran, the Jewish community is under increasing threats from the Ayatollah Khomeini and his henchmen. The deplorable execution of a prominent Iranian .Jewish journalist

recently added to the mounting fear. In Argentina, the government continues a policy

of overt libel, detention, and torture. In Ethiopia, Falashan Jewry moves closer

to extinction as its people are killed, dispersed and literally enslaved. In the United

States, the renewed militancy of the Ku Klux Klan has led to the indoctrination of

innocent young people, bloodshed, and murder. Even in our own regions, desecration

of cemeteries, vandalism and arson in synagogues and community centers have become a

mounting concern for Jewish institutions. These examples comprise only a partial

list.

Therefore, be it resolved

that the CCAR calls upon its members and their constituent organizations and synagogues

to respond to this growing problem in several ways.

a) By making both adults and children aware of the current situation and by educating

them on the historical roots of anti-Semitism.

b) By responding to local acts of anti-Semitism appropriately and in consultation

with such Jewish agencies as the American Jewish Committee, the Anti-Defamation League,

Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation, the American Jewish Congress,

and the Canadian Jewish Congress; and with the support of responsible Jews in all segments

of Jewish society, especially the elderly.

c) By organizing letter-writing campaigns and petition drives that will make the government

and law enforcement officials aware of the situation and prompt them to take immediate

and effective action.

d) By forming coalitions with church organizations and ministerial groups in an ongoing

manner to mobilize the religious community to fight this poisonous trend that threatens

the American way of life.

e) By discouraging vigilante-like action on behalf of the Jewish community as advocated

and practiced by some organizations.

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

Raoul Wallenberg

Adopted by the CCAR at the 91th Annual Convention of

the Central Conference of American Rabbis

Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, June 23-26, 1980

Raoul Wallenberg, the courageous and compassionate Swedish emissary who saved thousands

of Jews from Nazi persecution, is reported, on excellent authority, to be held a

prisoner by the Soviet Union. In the face of unimpeachable testimony and clear evidence to the effect that Wallenberg is still alive, the Soviet government has been obstinate

and uncooperative in efforts to free Wallenberg, or, if according to their claim

he is dead, to allow an appropriate investigation to prove it.        

The Central Conference of American Rabbis, in gratitude for Raoul Wallenberg’s unique

service to the Jewish people, and in the name of compassion and common decency, calls

upon the government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to cooperate fully

with the Swedish government, the family and friends of Raoul Wallenberg and the growing

multitude of people throughout the world who have taken up this cause.        

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

Boycott of the Moscow Olympic Summer Games and the Cessation of Technological and Food Exports to the Soviet Union

Adopted by the CCAR at the 91th Annual Convention of

the Central Conference of American Rabbis

Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, June 23-26, 1980

The Soviet Union has continually demonstrated its contempt for the sovereignty of

foreign nations and for human, social and religious rights in its own country and

in occupied nations.        

In recent months Soviet occupation of Afghanistan has served to increase international

scorn for the Soviet Union’s expansionist policies.        

The Central Conference of American Rabbis wholeheartedly concurs with the request

of the President of the United States to boycott the summer Olympic Games to be held

in Moscow this year and to restrain the export of U.S. technology and food to the

Soviet Union until the intervention in Afghanistan is ended.

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

Samuel Sandmel

Adopted by the CCAR at the 91th Annual Convention of

the Central Conference of American Rabbis

Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, June 23-26, 1980

Samuel Sandmel, of blessed memory, respected scholar and beloved teacher, held the

admiration and love of his students and colleagues. His direction of the Christian

Fellowship Program of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion made

it a model of scholarly excellence and ecumenical effectiveness. We are moved to keep alive

both his memory and his influence; therefore the Central Conference of American Rabbis

expresses its deep sympathy to his wife and family and urges the Conference membership to honor the memory of Samuel Sandmel through contributions to the Samuel Sandmel

Scholarship Fund of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.        

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

Reform-Conservative Cooperation

Adopted by the CCAR at the 91th Annual Convention of

the Central Conference of American Rabbis

Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, June 23-26, 1980

Members of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and colleagues of the Rabbinical

Assembly have benefited from the sharing of liturgical and homiletical ideas, especially

in preparation for the Days of Awe, and continued mutual consultation promises to enrich and broaden the intellectual and practical commitment of our respective congregants.        

The Central Conference of American Rabbis therefore recommends the continuation and

expansion of joint study ventures with our Conservative colleagues, and urges members

of the Central Conference of American Rabbis to initiate proposals for pulpit and

speaker exchange with Conservative colleagues. The Conference further recommends the

creation of joint social action programs with the Rabbinical Assembly. and endorses

the concept of Reform-Conservative interchanges and combined programs for religious

schools, youth groups and adult education programs.

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

Reform-Conservative Cooperation

Adopted by the CCAR at the 91th Annual Convention of

the Central Conference of American Rabbis

Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, June 23-26, 1980

Members of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and colleagues of the Rabbinical

Assembly have benefited from the sharing of liturgical and homiletical ideas, especially

in preparation for the Days of Awe, and continued mutual consultation promises to enrich and broaden the intellectual and practical commitment of our respective congregants.        

The Central Conference of American Rabbis therefore recommends the continuation and

expansion of joint study ventures with our Conservative colleagues, and urges members

of the Central Conference of American Rabbis to initiate proposals for pulpit and

speaker exchange with Conservative colleagues. The Conference further recommends the

creation of joint social action programs with the Rabbinical Assembly. and endorses

the concept of Reform-Conservative interchanges and combined programs for religious

schools, youth groups and adult education programs.

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

Rabbis Serving as Prison Chaplains

Adopted by the CCAR at the 91th Annual Convention of

the Central Conference of American Rabbis

Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, June 23-26, 1980

Resolved

, that the Central Conference of American Rabbis explore with the National Jewish

Welfare Board and other national and state Jewish agencies the responsibility of

coordinating and serving rabbis who function either as part-time or full-time prison

chaplains in U.S. Federal, U.S. State and Canadian prisons.

Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

Opposition to Officiating at a Wedding Ceremonies with Non-Jewish Clergy

Adopted by the CCAR at the 91th Annual Convention of the Central Conference of American Rabbis

Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, June 23-26, 1980

Resolved, that the question of rabbis officiating jointly with non-Jewish clergy in marriage ceremonies be referred to a select committee to be appointed by the President of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, said committee to report back to a future convention of the Conference.