Israel Diaspora Relations (1997)

WHEREAS, the Conservative Movement has consistently cherished Israel as the Homeland of the Jewish People and has valued the importance of Israel as the Jewish State; and

WHEREAS, the Conservative Movement assumes as a guiding principle the spiritual, intellectual, and emotional pluralism, historically rooted in its tradition; and

WHEREAS, the Conservative Movement seeks to ensure the enfranchisement of the authentic approaches to the practice of Judaism; and

WHEREAS, the bonds between all Jews in the Diaspora and all Jews in Israel must be strengthened to ensure the survival of Judaism and Jews.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM directs its leadership to become vigorous advocates in the synagogue, in local communities, in national and international forums for viable religious pluralism within Israel, and in the Diaspora so that all rabbis who are members of generally accepted rabbinic organizations will be granted full equality and full protection under Israeli law to practice Judaism as interpreted by the rabbinic leadership of their respective Movements; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM utilizes every opportunity to exert its influence upon the Israeli Government and upon Diaspora organizations to ensure a nurturing atmosphere for Jewish pluralism so that all Jews will be granted full equality under the law and full protection to practice Judaism as interpreted by their respective Rabbinic organization;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM through its national and regional structures mobilize all appropriate resources to energize Conservative congregations and the general community to stand united against the potential rupture in Jewish life that would be inevitable by a delegitimizing of any decision based upon halakha because of the ordination of the rabbi who provides that halakhic decision;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM calls upon Conservative Jews to support its institutions both in the Diaspora and in Israel and the growth of Conservative/Masorti Judaism in Israel; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM encourages the members of its congregations to become members of MERCAZ USA and MERCAZ Canada and take such other actions as are appropriate to strengthen MERCAZ USA and MERCAZ Canada as the Zionist Arm of the Conservative Movement in its mission to promote pluralism.