Resolutions

Whereas the Rabbinical Assembly is holding its 2013 Convention in Jerusalem, celebrating Israel’s 65 years of independence; Whereas uniting all Jews is a core principle of Zionism and the State of Israel; Whereas Zionism was and remains a...

Background: Jewish tradition has articulated from its earliest formulation in the Torah, through such figures as Miriam and the daughters of Zelophehad, that women and girls play a crucial role in our communities. In addition, the book of...

Whereas the Rabbinical Assembly 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 15 resolutions since...

Jewish tradition teaches: "Lo ta’amod al dam re’eikha" – "Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor" (Leviticus 19); that every human life is unique and precious, created in the divine image; (Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5) and that it prohibits...

Whereas a Joint Heksher Tzedek Commission of the Rabbinical Assembly and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism was established in 2007 to bring the Jewish commitment of ethics and social justice directly into the marketplace and the...

“Do not oppress a stranger, for you know the feelings of the stranger, having yourselves been strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 23:9) Whereas the Rabbinical Assembly is a member of the Jewish Social Justice Roundtable whose signature...

Whereas Iran has developed an aggressive diplomatic strategy of penetration into Latin America facilitated by the governments of Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador and Nicaragua, sympathetic with Iran’s anti-Israel policies; Whereas the Argentine...

Whereas the Rabbinical Assembly has passed resolutions opposing the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, most recently in 2005 and attempts to delegitimize Israel in 2010; Whereas anti-Semitism is once again on the rise on college...

Whereas KOACH, our Conservative Movement program for college students, provides the opportunity to maintain and develop connections to Conservative Judaism, promotes the Torah of Conservative Judaism on campus and provides a wide range of programs...

Whereas the Rabbinical Assembly passed resolutions in 2007, 2008, and 2010, expressing our concern over the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran; Whereas the regime of Iran, and in particular its President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and its religious...

Whereas Israel’s Declaration of Independence proclaims equality in social and political rights, including women’s rights, stating that Israel “will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of...

Whereas the Conservative Yeshiva of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism was established in 1995 with a handful of students, and has grown since then to more than 200 students annually in its year-long and summer learning programs; Whereas...

Background It has become increasingly the case that when Masorti/Conservative groups have wished to daven in Israeli hotels, they have been denied the use of hotel-owned Sifrei Torah if the service was not in accordance with Orthodox practice. In...

Whereas Alan Gross was arrested in Cuba in December 2009 while on a humanitarian mission to help the small Cuban Jewish community improve internet access; Whereas he has been incarcerated ever since, sentenced to 15 years in prison by a Cuban...

Whereas Jewish tradition commands us to “open your hand [to the poor person] and provide sufficient for the need” (Deut. 15:8); instructs that “[i]f your brother, being in straits, comes under your authority, you shall strengthen him” (Lev. 25:35);...

Whereas Judaism believes in the equality of all human beings regardless of race, creed or financial position;Whereas Deuteronomy 16 commands, “You shall not judge unfairly: you shall know no partiality; you shall not take gifts, for gifts...

Background Over the past four decades the Rabbinical Assembly has consistently supported reproductive freedom. This support is firmly based on our members’ understanding of relevant biblical and rabbinic sources as well...

Background Hydraulic Fracturing, also known as hydrofracturing or fracking, is the extraction of natural gas from previously impermeable shale. The process uses 1-4 millions of gallons of water withdrawn from streams and rivers, sand, and...

Whereas the Torah prohibits excessive punishment “lest your brother be degraded before your eyes” (Deuteronomy 25:2); Whereas we believe that every human being is created in the divine image, and therefore deserving of dignity; Whereas the...

Background “And when you sell something to your fellow, or buy from the hand of your fellow, don't oppress each other” (Leviticus 25:14). Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel teaches, “To us a single act of injustice – cheating in business,...