Archive 2012

NEW YORK – In response to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision to ask the Jewish Agency to study the issue of women’s prayer and women’s equality and come up with solutions to ensure the sacred site of the Western Wall is welcoming to all who...

NEW YORK – On December 17, Senator Daniel Inouye passed away, after a career in public service spanning seven decades. On behalf of the Rabbinical Assembly, Gerald Skolnik, RA President, and Julie Schonfeld, RA Executive Vice President, issued the...

NEW YORK – In response to Friday’s tragedy in Newtown, Conn., the leadership of Conservative Judaism, which includes the Rabbinical Assembly and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, together issued the following statement: The sacred Jewish...

NEW YORK – Today, the United Nations General Assembly voted to grant the Palestinian Authority’s non-member observer status at the UN. Calling the outcome a diversion to peace between Israel and the Palestinians, the leaders of the two international...

NEW YORK – This week, Hungarian Parliament member Marton Gyongyosi suggested in Parliament that all Jews in his country’s government should be counted and monitored as dangerous. On behalf of the Rabbinical Assembly, the Gerald Skolnik, RA...

NEW YORK – Today, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr announced a ceasefire agreed upon by Israel and Hamas. On behalf of the Rabbinical Assembly, Gerald Skolnik and Julie Schonfeld issued the following...

NEW YORK – Over the past week, Hamas has launched more than 350 rockets and mortars into Israel. As Israel takes action to protect its people and its borders, today on behalf of the Rabbinical Assembly, Gerald Skolnik, RA President, and Julie...

NEW YORK – Julie Schonfeld, executive vice president; and Gerald Skolnik, president, congratulate President Obama on his reelection to a second term, as well as Governor Mitt Romney on his campaign, and released the following statement: Our...

NEW YORK – Last week, a group of rabbis gathered at the Jewish Theological Seminary for a dialogue on the topic of Keruv (Outreach), Conversion and Intermarriage. The October 25 gathering was jointly convened by the Schechter Day School Network and...

RA’s standards committee approved new papers at meetings this week NEW YORK – The Committee on Jewish Law and Standards met Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss a number of papers. "Reciting Ma'ariv Early on Erev Shabbat" by Barry Leff, as well as a...