June 16, 2025
In these days of hope mingled with worry, the Central Conference of American Rabbis reaffirms its support and concern for the State of Israel and its people.
The CCAR joins peace-loving people everywhere who advocate for Israel’s military and intelligence operation, which aims to destroy or thoroughly incapacitate the nuclear capability of the Iranian regime. This is a war of defense against a regime that has repeatedly expressed and demonstrated its intentions to destroy Israel and the Jewish people, in addition to other targets throughout the West. Iran has provided material support to terrorist groups—Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, among others—that have murdered, kidnapped, wounded, and attacked Israel and Israelis, before, on, and since October 7, 2023.
We urge Israel’s leadership to bring this war to a swift and successful conclusion with the fewest possible casualties among the impacted civilian populations. We send condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in this war and pray for the healing of the injured.
CCAR members around the world cherish our family and friends, teachers and rabbinic colleagues, in Israel. Many are now either called up for service in the Israel Defense Force or are rushing to their safe rooms and shelters, terrified by fatal attacks in the center of the country. CCAR members’ hearts, minds, and prayers are with them constantly.
The CCAR extends its support to our MARAM colleagues, CCAR members in Israel, who continue to lead their communities through unprecedented challenges to Israel’s security and democracy, as well as to our IMPJ partners. To them we repeat the biblical blessing of Joshua, חזקו ואמצו, (chizku v’imtzu) “be strong and of good courage.”
Loved ones of CCAR members and members of our communities are in harm’s way in Israel today. We pray, ופרוס עליהם.ן סוכת שלומך (ufros aleihem.n sukkat shlomecha), “Spread over them the shelter of Your peace.”
Rabbi David A. Lyon, President
Rabbi Hara E. Person, Chief Executive
Central Conference of American Rabbis
