Resolution Concerning Ethiopian Jews (Falash Mura)

WHEREAS: In 2003 the government of Israel made a committment to bring the remaining Ethiopian Jews (Falash Mura) from Ethiopia to Israel; and

WHEREAS: The government of Israel has now indicated it has will no longer process the remaining 8,700 in Gondar; and

WHEREAS: Those Falash Mura remaining in Ethiopia who are of maternal lineage have been declared to be Jews by successive chief rabbis of Israel, and

WHEREAS: They are considered to be Jews by leaders of the three main streams of American Jewry (Conservative, Reform and Orthodox) and will hereafter be referred to as Jews in this document, and

WHEREAS: They are demonstrating their ardent desire to live observant Jewish lives by attending local synagogue services; availing themselves of the limited facilities, ritual objects and opportunities available in their isolated rural area (including an unheated mikvah, shared tefillin, observance of kashrut, Shabbat and holidays); and attending classes, as available, to increase their knowledge and ability to observe Jewish religious customs, and

WHEREAS: These Jews are openly and proudly Zionist despite the real possibility of local anti-Zionist violence, which, although not approved of by the national government, has taken place in the region in the past, and

WHEREAS: This action by the Israeli government has resulted in the UJC halting the funding of food distribution with children, pregnant women ,nursing mothers and others starving, the 8,700 living in hovels with no opportunity for providing for themselves in addition to being prevented from reuniting with their families in Israel.

THEREFORE, The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism hereby calls upon:

The government of Israel to adhere to its commitment and process these 8,700 remaining Ethiopian Jews (Falash Mura) for aliyah immediately in order that the UJC resume funding so that food is provided and schools remain open until the Ethiopians Jews who are approved are brought to Israel.
The federations and Jews throughout North America to work with the Israeli government to insure that these 8,700 Ethiopian Jews have adequate food, schools, medical supplies and treatment until they are brought to Israel.
Its brother and sister North American organizations and communities to mobilize resources so that adequate funding for the humanitarian needs of the 8,700 is made available.

Dr. Saul Shapiro,
Vice President, Israel

Richard Skolnik,
Vice President, Community Relations

Dr. Marilyn Lishnoff Wind,
Vice President, Youth and Education