Resolutions 2008

BACKGROUND
The Rabbinical Assembly is already on record stressing the need for the United Nations and individual countries to act to prevent Iran from achieving nuclear capability.
Recently, the United States issued a National Intelligence Evaluation which is equivocal at best. It utilizes such language as having “moderate confidence” that Iran’s weapons program is not underway and at the end of its report indicates the ease with which its nuclear weapons program can be activated.

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. 

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);

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

BACKGROUND:
Conservative Judaism has long been concerned with alleviating the plight of agunot. Through both its Committee on Jewish Law and Standards and its National Bet Din, it has instituted halakhic solutions to aid agunot such as the inclusion of the “Lieberman Clause” in ketubot; the utilization of hafka’at kiddushin by the National Bet Din; and the recommendation of pre-nuptial agreements stipulating the requirement of a get should the marriage be dissolved.

WHEREAS human life is of infinite value (Genesis 1:27) and preservation of life supersedes almost all other considerations (pikuah nefesh);

WHEREAS the revered rabbinic scholar and physician, Maimonides, taught that health care was a primary communal responsibility (Mishneh Torah Hilkhot De’ot 4:23);

WHEREAS the Shulkhan Arukh states, “Doctors are required to reduce their fees for the poor. Where that is still not sufficient the community should subsidize the patient.” (Yoreh Deah 249);

WHEREAS the Rabbinical Assembly was a founding partner of COEJL (Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life) has articulated the Jewish responsibility to address global climate change and work towards an environmentally responsible energy policy on a personal, communal, and national level with 14 resolutions since 1991 on protecting and enhancing the environment and the quality of life for all God’s creatures;

WHEREAS the past 43 years since the conclusion of Vatican Council II and the issuance of Nostra Aetate have been marked by fruitful dialogue, a history of progress and amicable relations between Catholics and Jews;

WHEREAS remarkable progress has been made in implementing the new theological stance of the Catholic Church towards the Jewish people;

WHEREAS Vatican II has been conventionally understood by Jews and many Catholic scholars as affirming that God's covenant with the Jewish people has never been revoked;