Resolution in Support of the Separation of Religion and State in the United States of America
Whereas the First Amendment states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion" prohibiting both the establishment of a national religion and the government’s favoring of one religion over another;
Whereas Thomas Jefferson in a letter to the Danbury Baptist Association, wrote that the First Amendment built "a wall of separation between church and state," which was affirmed by Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black in Everson v. Board of Education (1947);
Whereas through its history the Rabbinical Assembly has adopted resolutions strongly advocating for the continued separation of religion and state in subjects ranging from federal aid to religious schools, calendars, and reproductive freedom. (1950, 1955, 1956, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1967, 1985, 2000, 2005, 2007, 2012, and 2021);
Whereas in 2022 several Supreme Court Cases lowered the wall separating church and state (including, Kennedy v. Bremerton School District and Carson v. Makin expanding the exercise of religion in public schools) enabling legislatures and educators/coaches to introduce and impose their religious agendas;
Whereas through history Jews have experienced discrimination, and our ability to practice our religion fully was infringed upon when there was no clear separation of church and state;
Whereas we are witnessing growing efforts around the United States to impose Christian religious beliefs in schools, courtrooms, pharmacies, and doctors' offices to name a few;
Therefore be it resolved that we oppose any efforts that further erode the foundational judicial wall separating church and state;
Be it further resolved, we oppose Louisiana’s HB 71, which would require schools to post the 10 Commandments in all classrooms with a historical statement about the role of the Commandments in American education;
Be it further resolved, we oppose Oklahoma State Superintendent’s efforts to have the Bible taught in all classrooms;
Be it further resolved, we oppose Texas' SB 2, which would provide voucher support for private schools, most of which are Christian, at the expense of appropriate funding for public schools.
Be it further resolved, we oppose schools replacing trained guidance counselors with uncertified and unlicensed chaplains, especially when they are allowed to proselytize minors including without parental permission;
Be it further resolved, we oppose all efforts to favor or privilege one religion in classrooms, courtrooms, doctors' offices and clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, and more;
Be it further resolved that we oppose all laws, legal decisions, edicts, and actions of public employees which privilege the practice of one religious tradition over another and in turn enable discrimination.