ISRAEL

Digests of resolutions adopted by the
Central Conference of American Rabbis
between 1889 and 1974

2. The CCAR calls upon the government of our country to use its good offices to support vigorously the demand of the State of Israel upon the government of Western Germany for the payment of reparations and return of heirless property to the government of the State of Israel. (1951, p. 202)

We urge passage of the Douglas-Taft and McCormick-Martin Bills authorizing a grant of 150 million dollars in 1951, to assist the people and government of Israel in their gigantic task of rehabilitation and resettlement. (1951, p. 203)

3. The Central Conference of American Rabbis at its 63rd annual Convention in Buffalo, N.Y., hails the State of Israel which has recently celebrated the fourth year of its establishment. The Conference applauds the sacrificial idealism of the young nation in absorbing 700,000 immigrants in this short time, despite its own grave trials and privations--an achievement of human helpfulness and rescue unprecedented in history, and an example of practical Judaism at its best.

The Conference salutes Israel's mighty achievements in building new settlements in the wilderness areas of the land, in developing new industries in towns and hamlets, in providing modern medical and social services and democratic political freedoms to all the inhabitants of the land, whether Jewish, Arab or Christian.

The Conference extends encouragement and understanding to the harried leaders and people of the new land, in their earnest, searching labors to meet the severe problems before them, problems of austerity and food distribution, of religious freedom, of free public education, of the adjustment of the various elements of the population one to another, and of the functioning of representative government among the peoples with varying political traditions.

The Conference is confident that there are in Israel the resources of mind and will to conquer these difficulties, especially when the pressures of economic insecurity and military danger are relieved.

The Conference is happy to recognize the consistent and ever growing support of Israel by the American Jewish public through its purchase of Israeli bonds and its contributions to the UJA. The Conference commends all who through their contributions of energy and substance thus affirm their faith in the miracle of restoration of our people to its ancient land. We rejoice in the increase of cultural exchange between Israel and America. We pray that there will be an ever increasing number of Americans who will bring the precious gifts of American experience to Israel and more Israelis who will bring the fervor, the spark and faith of a new pioneer land to America. Thus will the greatest democracy and the newest strengthen each other as token of that greater fulfillment of democratic world brotherhood and peace, for which the God-inspired prophets of Israel have led all mankind to labor and to pray. (1952, p. 276)

4. We urge our State Department, in view of Israel's constant readiness to make peace with its Arab neighbors, to insist on Arab participation in negotiations to achieve permanent peace and stability.

We deplore the sending of arms by our country to countries in the Middle East which have continued to avow their hostile intentions toward Israel.

We condemn recent insinuations by high State Department officials as to the legitimacy of American Jewish sympathy and aid for Israel. We regard such concern as a necessary expression of our spiritual bonds with the land and people of Israel. We urge our colleagues to give unremitting moral and practical support in their respective communities to Israel's cause. (1954, p. 108)

5. We express our chagrin and grievances in the matter of the attitude in the State of Israel to Reform Judaism. (1963, p. 106)

6. See Progressive Judaism in Israel.

7. We urge the support of the Javits-Williams Bill which would prevent Arab boycott apparatus from investigating the procedures of American businesses to the detriment of the State of Israel.

We support that legislation for the same reason that we fear that the enemies of Israel would cut off Israel's water supply by wastefully diverting and spilling the head waters of the Jordan that Israel's very life-flow thereby be threatened.

We view with apprehension and concern the infiltration by Arab harassment and the use of Arab refugees for this purpose and even the talk of creating a Palestinian army of "liberation" among these Arab refugees who ought to be settled peaceably among their Arab brothers.

Amidst this atmosphere we can appreciate Israel's forthright actions even as we hopefully welcome a New Voice of Arab moderation, praying that it might mean a new day for the peace of Israel and the peace of the world. (1965, p. 121)

8. Whereas, The CCAR would wish to further the desire of Jews everywhere to give public expression to their identification and unity with the accomplishments and aspirations of our people in Israel,

Be it therefore resolved, That the CCAR, assembled in Houston, Texas at its Eightieth Anniversary Convention, institute Israel Independence Day as a permanent festival to be observed annually on the fifth day of Iyar as part of our spiritual history and religious life.

Be it further resolved, That the CCAR direct its Committee on Liturgy jointly with the Committee on Israel to prepare an order of service and cultural program for the appropriate and meaningful observance of Israel Independence Day in our homes and congregations.

We call on all other rabbinic bodies to join us in this observance. (1969, p. 143)

9. This year Israel has celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of the state. In all the ages of our history, and in all the lands of our dispersion, we have remembered it with love and longing, saying with Psalmists: "If I forget Thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand wither. Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember Thee, if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy "

The CCAR reaffirms its spiritual and cultural commitment to Eretz Israel--the land of our Prophets and Sages. We recall with pride the role of many of the leaders of Reform Judaism in the rebuilding of our ancient Homeland: Stephen Wise, Abba Hillel Silver, Judah Leon Magnes, Barnett Brickner, James Heller, Nelson Glueck and many others. Together with all Israel we pray that Zion may become a light for all nations, as a land in which the vision of Justice and Mercy shall be fulfilled, for the good of all mankind. So that "Out of Zion shall go forth Torah, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." (1973, p. 110)

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