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Learn more about the work of the Rabbinical Assembly, the global association of Conservative/Masorti rabbis, shaping and strengthening Jewish life worldwide through scholarship, leadership, and service since 1901.
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Explore our RA bookstore, articles on Exploring Judaism, teshuvot of the Committee on Jewish Law & Standards (CJLS), our Tzedek Center, holiday guides, and more.
You Shall Strengthen Them: A Rabbinic Letter on the Poor
You Shall Strengthen Them: A Rabbinic Letter on the Poor, was derived from earlier published essays
Ushpizin
This ready-to-use text, which includes commentary and kavanot, has been excerpted from Or Hadash: A Commentary on Siddur Sim Shalom.
Seder N'tilat Lulav
This ready-to-use text, which includes commentary and kavanot, has been excerpted from Or Hadash: A Commentary on Siddur Sim Shalom.
Hakafot
This ready-to-use text, which includes commentary and kavanot on the Hakafot for Simhat Torah, has been excerpted from Or Hadash: A Commentary on Siddur Sim Shalom.
Simhat Torah Songsheet
This ready-to-use songsheet was compiled by Ashira Konigsburg, Assistant Director of Rabbinic Services, RA.
Purim Song Sheet
This 1-page song sheet, prepared by Yossi Hoffman, contains the text, transliteration, and translation of popular songs for Purim.
Conservative/Masorti Rabbis Respond to the Murder of George Floyd, Pattern of Racism, Police Brutality Against Black Americans
May 31, 2020
New York – In 2016, in response to incidents of police brutality against black people in Ferguson (Missouri), Baltimore and other cities in the United States, the Rabbinical Assembly, the international association for Conservative/Masorti...
Clergy and Shelihei Tzibbur
May 27, 2020
Prepared by Rabbi Pamela Barmash and Toby Schonfeld, Ph.D.
Please note that this is not an official responsum of the CJLS.
Our need for community is even greater during this time of pandemic and physical distancing, and even though holding...
Kol Nidrei 5781/2020
May 26, 2020
Prepared by Rabbi Pamela Barmash and Rabbi Nate Crane.
Please note that this is not an official responsum of the CJLS.
1) Is there an obligation to recite Kol Nidrei?
Answer: It is a custom to recite Kol Nidrei. While it is only a custom,...
Multiple Recitations of the Same Liturgy
May 26, 2020
Prepared by Rabbi Aaron Alexander.
Please note that this is not an official responsum of the CJLS.
Question: In light of the fact that some synagogues may offer multiple small services over the course of the High Holidays, but oftentimes with...
Shofar Blowing for Rosh Hashanah 5781/2020
May 26, 2020
Prepared by Rabbi Robert Scheinberg.
Please note that this is not an official responsum of the CJLS.
Because of the potential of the release of dangerous levels of aerosols in the act of Shofar blowing, many communities are contemplating ways...
Guide to Jewish Values Regarding Physical Reopening of Our Institutions (English & German)
May 26, 2020
Download our short guide and reflection on appropriate Jewish values for clergy and leaders to use as they work through difficult decisions.
Click here for a German language version translated by Rabbi Gesa...
Halakhic Guidance for Viewing a Tikkun Leil Shavuot
May 22, 2020
Updated on April 27, 2021.
The Committee on Jewish Law and Standards passed a teshuvah about livestreaming on Shabbat and yom tov. Read the RA statement about the passing of this teshuvah.
You can refer to the teshuvah's technical appendix for...
Conversion in a Time of COVID-19
May 18, 2020
Please find information below from Rabbi Elliot Dorff, CJLS chair, Rabbi Pamela Barmash, CJLS co-chair, Rabbi Joshua Heller, chair of the Rites and Rituals Subcommittee, and Rabbi Lionel Moses, chair of the Joint Beit Din of the Conservative...
High Holiday Guidance for Communities Affected by COVID-19
May 18, 2020
The CJLS is working on providing guidance for the High Holidays. This page will be updated as new material is written. These letters of guidance are not official responsa of the CJLS because the CJLS wants to offer them to you in an expedited manner...