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YOU ARE HERE: Current Issues >> Religious Issues >> Jewish Values

Civility in Public Discourse

August 1995

The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism has issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to civility as the keystone of democracy. Noting that there has been a collective violation of the Mishnaic teaching "Im ayn Torah ayn derekh eretz; im ayn derekh eretz ayn Torah," President Alan Ades stated that "we are once again witnessing the resurgence of hostile behavior that accompanies the breakdown of derekh eretz (proper manners) in public discourse."

According to Marc Gary and Scott Kaplan, Co-Chairs of the USCJ Commission on Social Action and Public Policy, the problem is equally serious in North America and in Israel. In North America, differences in political and religious agendas have given rise to name-calling and mutual suspicion among diverse social and religious groups, threatening the maintenance of civilized discourse even at the highest levels of government.

In response, The United Synagogue is calling upon its affiliated congregations to encourage civility and proper behavior not only in the synagogue but in other areas of society as well -- for example, the media and the government -- and to promote programs that encourage the peaceful resolution of disputes. Further, USCJ congregations are urged to participate in community-wide forums to educate local residents as to the dangers of hate and bigotry in an effort to prevent the occurrence of hate crimes in their area.

Particularly after the bombing in Oklahoma City, said Gary, "it is clear that the preaching of hate has deadly consequences and must be viewed as an enemy of democracy."

According to Sarrae Crane, USCJ Director of Social Action and Public Policy, the crisis in civil discourse presents a growing threat in Israel, where the Jewish community is becoming increasingly polarized over current peace efforts. Indeed, noted Crane, "Jews who differ over the direction of the ongoing peace process have engaged in a campaign of vilification, crossing the line from legitimate debate and criticism to inflammatory rhetoric, incitement to violence, and even to physical violence."

Pointing to the rabbinic teaching that the Second Temple was destroyed partly as a result of causeless hatred (sinat hinam) among the Jews, Rabbi Jerome Epstein, Executive Vice-President of the organization, pointed out that "lack of civility -- ranging from character assassination to calls for the literal assassination of opponents -- clearly violates Jewish teachings and threatens the fabric of the entire community."

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