Tag: Israel

WHEREAS the State of Israel was founded as a homeland for the Jewish people; and

WHEREAS we recognize yeshuv ha'aretz and aliyah as mitzvot; and

WHEREAS we recognize the central contribution made to Israel through our rabbis, professionals, and lay leaders who have fulfilled this mitzvah.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Rabbinical Assembly call upon the State of Israel to support the Masorti programs of aliyah sponsored by Tnuat AM, the Movement for Masorti aliyah, and the shaliah for aliyah to the Conservative Movement in North America; and

WHEREAS the Megillat ha-Atzmaut of Israel declares that the State of Israel will guarantee freedom of religion to all of its citizens; and

WHEREAS Jewish history has shown that the Jewish religion and the Jewish people are strengthened by a pluralistic outlook, whereby Jews embrace the spirit of the dictum that differing opinions are the "words of the living God" (TB Eruvin 13b); and

WHEREAS such religious freedom and religious pluralism will strengthen the Jewish identity of Israel's citizens of the State itself.

Whereas the Kotel Ha’Maaravi has been an eternal symbol of hope and unity for the entire Jewish people;

Whereas Jews the world over yearn to pray and celebrate by the Kotel in keeping with their various customs;

Whereas the Kotel Plaza has served as a place where men and women may gather and pray together in keeping with their varying customs since 1967;

WHEREAS as the intifada continues, many church spokespersons have too frequently tied the murdering of Jews to Arab poverty and frustration; and

WHEREAS anti-Semitism is once again on the rise, particularly in Europe; and

WHEREAS the Rabbinical Assembly is concerned about recent efforts by certain church groups to single out the Jewish state and weaken its economy by divestment.

Background:

WHEREAS Jerusalem from the time of the Bible was established as the political and religious center of the Jewish people;

WHEREAS during 2000 years of exile, Jerusalem (Zion) has been a guiding light for the Jews and a focus of prayer and longing;

WHEREAS the State of Israel in recognition of the centrality of Jerusalem made her its capital;

WHEREAS the pre-1967 situation, wherein Jews were denied access to the Kotel and other significant historical and religious sites, was intolerable; and

WHEREAS the Rabbinical Assembly since its founding has fervently supported a Zionist ideology as integral to the Jewish People;

WHEREAS Israel is a vibrant democracy where all political issues are thoroughly debated;

WHEREAS the United States plays an integral role in facilitating Israel’s efforts to make peace with her neighbors
(e.g., Camp David Agreement with Egypt in 1977 and Treaty of Peace with Jordan in 1994);