Resolution
Adopted by the CCAR
SEXUALITY EDUCATION
Adopted by the 114th Annual Convention
of the Central Conference
of American Rabbis
Omni Shoreham, Washington D.C.
March,
2003
Background
Jewish
texts and tradition often discuss the topic of sexuality. Ranging from
the Song of Songs, the most explicit writing in the Torah, to very
specific discussions of the laws of family, our holy texts recognize,
often celebrate, sexuality as a necessary and crucial part of life and
development. Further, our modern practice of Judaism views sexuality,
and its ultimate goal of a healthy and committed relationship, as a
matter of religious concern.
In a report to the 1998 Central Conference of American Rabbis
(CCAR) convention, the Ad Hoc Committee on Human Sexuality stated that
“Jewish religious values are predicated upon the unity of God and the
integrity of the world and its inhabitants as divine creations. These
values identify — wholeness — as a fundamental goal of human
experience. The Hebrew root (shin,
lamed, mem) expresses the ideal of wholeness, completeness, unity,
and peace. Sexuality and sexual expression are integral and powerful
elements in the potential wholeness of human beings.” Sexuality is a
part of what it means to be human.
In 1977, Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) urged its Sisterhoods
“to include family planning and sex education” in their programs.
Later, in 1987, the CCAR adopted a comprehensive resolution, “On Sex
Education in the Schools,” addressing both sexuality education in the
schools and youth programs of the Reform Movement and in the public
schools. These resolutions all call for disseminating accurate
educational materials.
Experience with the Reform Movement’s youth programs indicates
that Reform Jewish youth are as sexually active as their peers. In
addition, every scientific study that breaks down participants by
religion shows the same results. Just as importantly, at programs such
as the L’Taken seminars and NFTY conventions, workshops
dealing with topics of sexuality fill quickly. Our youth are asking
questions, and they are looking to us for guidance.
Studies show that the availability of
accurate information about reproduction, sexually transmitted
diseases, and contraception have been demonstrated to have a positive
impact on curbing adolescent pregnancy and the incidence of sexually
transmitted disease1. Yet, beginning in
1998, and continuing until 2002, a federal appropriation of $50
million per year has been made available to states to support
“abstinence-only” programs, which teach that physical and emotional
harm are likely to result from premarital sex, and which cannot be
used for dissemination of more complete information about
reproduction, sexually transmitted disease, and contraception2. Further, every $4 the government provides must
be matched by $3 from the state, thus increasing the amount of money
spent on abstinence-only programs to $88 million per year3. Allocating money in this way diverts funds from
the more effective and broader-based “abstinence-plus” programs,
which encourage abstinence while teaching accurate information about
sexuality, reproduction, sexually transmitted diseases, and
contraception.
THEREFORE, the
Central Conference of American Rabbis resolves to:
Encourage the UAHC and its departments and
affiliates to work with synagogue schools, day schools, camps, and
youth groups of our movement to:
Offer all our members courses and programs appropriate to each
age level built on Jewish values, emphasizing the role of sexuality in
the context of healthy committed relationships, and provide
comprehensive sexuality education including objective information
about reproduction, abortion, sexually transmitted diseases,
contraception, sexual orientation, and other issues of sexuality; and
Provide tools and
educational materials for parents, to assist them when they talk to
their children about these issues; and
Support federal, state, provincial, and local
legislation to provide for the inclusion of comprehensive and age-
appropriate sexuality education in the public schools on all levels
(from grade school through high school), while opposing federal,
state, provincial, and local funding exclusively for abstinence-only
programs.
1
A 1997 United Nations report, entitled “Impact of
HIVand Sexual Health Education on the Sexual Behavior of Young
People,” examined 22 HIV/AIDS and abstinence-plus sexuality education
programs and found that the programs delayed the onset of sexual
activity, reduced the number of partners, and decreased the incidence
of sexually transmitted disease and unplanned pregnancy.
2
History and
Mission, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and
Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
.hrsa.gov/html/historymission.html.
3
D. Daley.
“Exclusive purpose: abstinence-only proponents create federal
entitlement in welfare reform.” SIECUS Report 1997; 25(4):3-
7.