Religious Pluralism Within American Jewish Local Communities (1997)

WHEREAS, the increasing polarization within American Jewry threatens the very fabric of Jewish unity; and

WHEREAS, THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM is committed to religious pluralism within the World-Wide Jewish Community; and

WHEREAS, the federations within the local communities are involved in the funding and staffing of Jewish communal organizations;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM calls upon the local federations to advocate the values and goals of religious pluralism within the Jewish Community by:

• Funding only those Boards of Rabbis which are open to memberships of ordained Rabbis of the Conservative, Orthodox, and Reform and Reconstructionist movements; and
• Encouraging and funding the formation of groups which will further the concept of K'lal Yisrael; and
• Encouraging its Boards of Education or similar committees to develop curricular materials for Day Schools and Afternoon Religious Schools of all movements which will inculcate the ideals of Ahavat Yisrael;
• Encouraging all of its funded agencies to undertake programs furthering mutual respect within the Jewish community; and
• Call upon local federations to help compensate for the disadvantaged position in the past by providing funding for programs to strengthen the relationship between the Diaspora and Israel for all Jews.