Support for Reform Jewish College Students


Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

SUPPORT FOR REFORM JEWISH COLLEGE STUDENTS

Adopted by the 116th Annual Convention

of the Central Conference of American Rabbis

Houston, TX

March, 2005

Background

According to the 2001 National Jewish Population Survey 53% of Jewish 18-24 year olds are in college or graduate school (15% of Jewish 18-24 year olds are still in high school), and 30% of Jewish 25-29 year olds are in college or graduate school.

The 2001 National Jewish Population Survey also found that nearly as many Jewish college students have one Jewish parent as have two Jewish parents.

The Union for Reform Judaism offers a variety of programs for college students, including Kesher and Kesher Birthright, the Carmel program and other Israel programs, and most notably the opportunity seized by thousands of college students to serve on the staff of Union for Reform Judaism camps each summer. Moreover, the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, as part of its critical recruitment efforts, offers College Colloquia to these students. Nevertheless, the Reform Movement invests far fewer institutional and financial resources in reaching Jewish college students . particularly those who come from a Reform Jewish background – than other mainstream and fringe Jewish movements.

THEREFORE the Central Conference of American Rabbis resolves:

  • To commend the Union for Reform Judaism for its various programs directed at college students, particularly by targeting college-age staff members as part of the service populations of Union camps; and

  • To commend the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion for its College Colloquia and other programs directed at college students; and

  • To call upon CCAR members serving congregations to:

  • Provide the Reform Movement.s Kesher College Department and appropriate Hillel Foundations with the names and contact information of synagogue members attending college; and

  • Help local Hillel Foundations secure funds to purchase copies of Mishkan T’filah; and

  • Establish scholarships for college age synagogue members to attend Kesher College Conventions and HUC-JIR College Colloquia.

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