WHEREAS the book of Psalms teaches and as found in our liturgy, “When Adonai restored our exiles to Zion, it was like a dream.” (Psalms 126:1), the Jewish People realized that dream sixty years ago when the State of Israel was established;
WHEREAS in Iyar, Israel will celebrate its 60th year of independence as a democratic Jewish State in the land promised to our ancestors; and
WHEREAS Conservative/Masorti Judaism embraced Zionism early on and promoted the centrality of a Jewish homeland in Israel.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Rabbinical Assembly congratulate the government and citizens of Israel;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Rabbinical Assembly support the concept as articulated in the Megilat Ha’atzmaut that the State of Israel " be based on the precepts of liberty, justice and peace taught by the Hebrew Prophets; uphold the full social and political equality of all its citizens, without distinction of race, creed or sex; guarantee full freedom of conscience, worship, education and culture; safeguard the sanctity and inviolability of the shrines and holy places of all religions;” and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Rabbinical Assembly:
- advocate for the security of Israel in the broader international community and the political arena;
- encourage Conservative/Masorti Jews to fulfill the mitzvah of Aliyah;
- arrange and promote trips to Israel in their congregations, schools, youth groups, Hillels and other institutions including raising scholarship funds for students to visit and study in Israel;
- plan a wide variety of educational and cultural programs for youth and adults on Israel;
- recite prayers for the welfare of the State of Israel, its soldiers, especially those being held captive;
- support the work of our Rabbinical Assembly colleagues in Israel for their efforts on behalf of the Masorti Movement and K’lal Yisrael with financial assistance and visits to their institutions which will furtherstrengthen the Masorti presence in Israel; and
- urge Conservative Jews to join MERCAZ, the Zionist membership organization of the Conservative/Masorti Movement.
Passed by the Rabbinical Assembly Plenum, February, 2008