Israel Affairs/Mercaz (1993)

WHEREAS, MERCAZ USA, The Zionist Organization for Conservative Judaism, has issued a mission statement which impacts upon and benefits congregations; and

WHEREAS, the mission statement stresses:

1. creating and disseminating Zionist educational materials, promoting the study of the Hebrew language, and raising the Zionist consciousness of Conservative Jews;
2. increasing Zionist activities and promoting short-term and long-term programs to Israel for youth and adults;
3. promoting and encouraging Aliyah;
4. representing the interests of Conservative/Masorti Judaism within the World Zionist Organization/Jewish Agency; and
5. promoting Conservative /Masorti Judaism and religious pluralism in Israel.

WHEREAS, THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM previously resolved to urge all of its affiliated congregations to exhibit their support of MERCAZ by including on their dues billings an optional line item for membership in MERCAZ and to urge all members of affiliated congregations to identify fully as Conservative Jewish Zionists by individually becoming members of MERCAZ.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM calls upon all affiliated congregations to appoint an Israel Affairs/Mercaz chairperson to be responsible for implementing and coordinating the ISRAEL AFFAIRS/MERCAZ agenda within the congregation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM calls upon all congregations to include visits to Conservative/Masorti institutions in their trips to Israel and to encourage their individual congregants to do the same; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM calls upon all congregations to publicize the activities on Conservative/Masorti institutions in Israel and the activities of MERCAZ by including in their bulletins.