Resolutions

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 blind...

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 The process uses 1-4 millions of gallons of water withdrawn from streams and rivers, sand, and...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,...

Whereas the Rabbinical Assembly has, over many decades, adopted resolutions in support of better working conditions and poverty relief, going back to a resolution in support of the California Grape Boycott (1987); Whereas agricultural workers,...

Background The United States Farm Bill, a comprehensive piece of legislation addressing many aspects of U.S. agriculture and food policy, is up for reauthorization in 2012 (see Resolution #7 which affirms RA support of SNAP [formerly known as...

During the past two decades, the RA has passed numerous resolutions on a wide variety of environmental issues. These resolutions have called upon colleagues to take action both at the national and local levels. Some of those resolutions follow...

Each year the Rabbinical Assembly passes a number of resolutions on pressing matters impacting the countries and regions where we live, the State of Israel and the future of our shared world. Passing the resolutions allows the RA to take positions...

Whereas the Palestinian leadership plans to offer a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2011 calling for the unilateral recognition of an independent Palestinian state in opposition to the position of the Quartet (the...