Archive 2011

Magen Tzedek Responds to Agudath Israel

rabbsuperuser — Thu, 05 May 2011 16:09:57 +0000

Magen Tzedek Responds to Agudath Israel rabbsuperuser Thu, 05/05/2011 - 12:09

The misleading statement by Agudath Israel concerning Magen Tzedek is a misrepresentation of a very important development in kosher food production in America. Magen Tzedek is based on our assertion that biblical and rabbinic law mandate fair treatment of workers (בל תלין), humane treatment of animals (צער בעלי חיים) and care of the earth (בל תשחית and שמירת הארץ) which can be translated into measurable standards applicable to commercial food production. These standards were developed in collaboration with SAAS, an organization acknowledged worldwide for its expertise in ethical certification programs.

We are appalled that Agudath Israel sees in ethical certification for kosher food an effort that “corrupts halakhah.” All Jews recognize that Judaism is a religion built upon ethical precepts. A central purpose of Jewish observance is to make us more decent and moral people, more capable of carrying out God’s vision of a just world.

We flatly reject Agudath Israel’s false accusations that we “harbor no respect for the very concept of halakhah.” We have always maintained that the Magen Tzedek would only be awarded to products already bearing kosher certification. Yet, we maintain that mitzvot bein adam l'makom (commandments between humanity and God) do not take precedence over mitzvot bein adam l'havero (commandments between one person and another).

Maimonides said that in fulfillment of Jewish life “one must be strict in their behavior and still go beyond the letter of the law (לפנים משורת הדין)." We see our role as ensuring that such is the case in the production of kosher food. Just as we would never delegate to the government to determine what constitutes proper kashrut certification, neither should we leave to the government enforcement of Jewish norms regarding ethical behavior. Instead of dismissing the work of one another, we call on all Jews to work together to ensure that our actions are truly a kiddush hashem--a sanctification of God's name.

Magen Tzedek affirms the eternal wisdom of Torah by bringing the moral values of Jewish religious tradition to bear on the daily operations of industrial food production, bringing more Jews to value the beauty of kashrut and Jewish observance assuring that we feel truly fulfilled when we sit down around our tables for a meal.

PDF version

Contact: Rabbi Morris Allen, (651) 452-2226, mojo210al@aol.com

Rabbi Michael Siegel, (773) 868-5110, msiegel@ansheemet.org

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Clarification Regarding Stunning and Schechitah

rabbsuperuser — Tue, 10 May 2011 14:53:55 +0000

Clarification Regarding Stunning and Schechitah rabbsuperuser Tue, 05/10/2011 - 10:53

It has come to our attention that Rabbinical Assembly materials have been misused by the Party for Animals in their debate in The Netherlands regarding legislation seeking to ban schechitah. The paper in question, “A Stunning Matter” by Rabbi Mayer Rabinowitz was written in 2001 and is intended to be a resource for individual rabbis making determinations for their communities. It does not reflect the public policy of the Rabbinical Assembly and it is a mistake to cite it this way in political discourse.

Furthermore the way the paper was depicted is inaccurate. The paper addresses the question “Is it permitted to stun/bolt an animal after schechitah." The conclusion is that post-schechitah stunning is permitted. The paper does not, as implied by the Party for Animals, endorse the practice of pre-schechitah stunning.

We request that the Party for Animals retract their statement regarding our support for their legislation and refrain from using Rabbinical Assembly materials to mislead people in making their case.

The original CJLS paper can be read here

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Magen Tzedek - Responding to a Higher Responsibility

rabbsuperuser — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:31:52 +0000

Magen Tzedek - Responding to a Higher Responsibility rabbsuperuser Tue, 06/28/2011 - 09:31

We in the Conservative movement are delighted that the principles of Magen Tzedek have permeated the consciousness of the American Jewish community. Magen Tzedek, which is not a hekhsher or kashrut certification, instead reflects the highest standard on a variety of important issues: employee wages and benefits, health and safety, animal welfare, corporate transparency and environmental impact of food production. Magen Tzedek demonstrates that ritual and ethical commandments have an equal place at our tables.

There has been much in print lately about Magen Tzedek (and some confusion about it because some people call it by its original name, Hekhsher Tzedek). Much of what has appeared has focused on the rabbis who have worked so diligently to create the message and mission of Magen Tzedek. We are inspired by the vision and the work of Rabbi Morris Allen and Rabbi Michael Siegel, who saw the urgent need for the Jewish community to have a way to express its adherence to the Torah’s ethical principles that God has commanded of our people. Their insistence that the dignity of every human being be protected and their willingness to withstand the unjustified criticism that such moral vision engenders is a credit to our movement. We are shocked and dismayed that anyone would fail to see anything but merit in their holy work.

The Torah says, “Do not oppress the hired laborer who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your people or one of the sojourners in your land within your gates... lest he cry out to God about you, for this will be counted as a sin for you” (Deuteronomy 24:15). The Talmud expounds: “‘His life depends on them’ indicates that anyone who denies a hired laborer his wages, it is as though he takes his life from him.” The Talmud informs us that God is concerned about workers’ rights and dignity, and employers must take that seriously.

As Conservative Jews, we understand that the commandments bein adam l’Makom (between human beings and God) and bein adam l’havero (between human beings) are commanded equally by God. Ethical standards are found in the Torah alongside the laws of kashrut and should be treated as equally binding by producers of kosher food. Kashrut must involve more than simply eating some foods and not others, or combining foods in some ways but not others. We must look at the act of eating as a wholly holy enterprise.

Because the Torah commands it, we as Conservative Jews seek to assure through Magen Tzedek that the holiness of eating includes how food production workers are treated. The Magen Tzedek seal signifies to the public this food was produced adhering to the highest ethical standards, just as the hekhsher signifies that the food is kosher.

Yes, our critics are correct when they say the absence of appropriate working conditions does not render food treif (unkosher), but Torah tradition is clear that there is a higher Jewish level of ethical practices expected in the workplace. We must inspect the way in which workers are treated just as we inspect the ingredients that go into our food.

Through the years kashrut organizations have kept their focus exclusively on an ever-more-stringent understanding of kashrut while expending little or no time to make sure that the workers making the food were treated as they should have been treated. As a result, some producers came to disregard the mitzvot governing the proper treatment of workers.

The goal of Magen Tzedek is simple -- to do as much as possible to insure that workers’ rights are upheld and their dignity is observed. We must make it impossible for anyone to say that we consumers stood idly by as the workers who produced our food were mistreated. Magen Tzedek will allow us to say that food that carry that seal was produced by a business that follows federal law, state law, and Jewish law on the treatment of workers, and takes that obligation as seriously as it takes Jewish law on food ingredients.

For further information, please contact Rabbi Paul Drazen.

PDF of statement

170 Jewish Social Justice Leaders to Meet With Obama Administration

rabbsuperuser — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:48:35 +0000

170 Jewish Social Justice Leaders to Meet With Obama Administration rabbsuperuser Thu, 07/28/2011 - 10:48

Jewish Social Justice Roundtable - For Immediate Release

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CONTACT:
Erica Brody, (212) 213-2113 x51, cell (718) 608 4514
Regina Weiss, (212) 213-2113 x20, cell (357) 263 3405

Washington, D.C.; July 27, 2011—On Friday, July 29^th, 170 representatives of organizations that are part of the Jewish Social Justice Roundtable (JSJRT) of which the Rabbinical Assembly is a founding member, will travel to the White House for a policy briefing to exchange ideas on housing, healthcare, food justice and education. The JSJRT is a group of 21 nonprofit organizations promoting economic and social justice as a core tenet of Jewish life. The RA delegation includes Rabbis Jack Moline, RA director of Public Policy, Jeffrey Wohlberg, RA past president and rabbi emeritus of Adas Israel Congregation in Washington, DC; Jacob Blumenthal, Shaare Torah Congregation in Gaithersburg, MD; Michael Safra, B’nai Israel Congregation, Rockville, MD; Andrea Merow, Beth Sholom Congregation, Elkins Park, PA; Ron Shulman, senior rabbi, Chizuk Amuno Congregation and Daniel Burg of Beth Am Congregation, both of Baltimore; Elizabeth Richman, program director and rabbi-in-residence at Jews United for Justice. and Jan Caryl Kaufman of the Rabbinical Assembly in New York. Other RA members attending are Rabbis Jason Kimmelman-Block, Senior Director of Leadership Initiatives and Rabbi-in-Residence, Jewish Funds for Justice; and Sheldon Lewis, rabbi emeritus of Kol Emeth Congregation, Palo Alto, CA. We are proud that Rabbi Moline will deliver the closing statement and d’var Torah to the group as they meet with the Administration. Rabbis Richman, Kimmelman-Block and Merow will also deliver kavvanot and brakhot on Friday’s program.

“Many people think the Jewish community has only one message to bring to Washington and it’s about Israel,” said Rabbi Jennie Rosenn, director of the Jewish Life and Values Program of the Nathan Cummings Foundation, which funds the JSJRT. “In reality, the Jewish community is deeply involved in issues of social justice here and around the globe. We are so pleased to have been invited to discuss these issues with the White House staff as we work to create a more just world.”

Some participants are eager to tell White House officials about the public housing tenants in Chicago who teamed up with local organizations to renovate hundreds of uninhabitable apartments for low-income residents. Others want the Administration to hear how a Jewish community member with life-threatening brain cancer struggled to get adequate health insurance. When she had to take a leave of absence from her job, she was denied workers’ compensation because her cancer was a pre-existing condition. A third representative will share a story about a family of five that has to rely on an Oklahoma food bank to eat.

“The fact that 170 Jews are coming to the White House to talk about housing, healthcare, education and food justice shows that these issues are priorities for millions of American Jews,” said Simon Greer, President and CEO of Progressive Jewish Alliance & Jewish Funds for Justice. “The number of Jews and Jewish organizations engaged in social and economic justice work has grown exponentially over the past two decades. The Jewish Social Justice Roundtable is a manifestation of that growth and of the urgent need we see to promote opportunity and secure basic rights for all Americans.”

Grounded in a rabbinic tradition to pursue justice, American Jews have a rich history of civic engagement and involvement in socio-political movements, including the labor movement, civil rights movement and the women’s movement, along with many other human rights struggles. Today’s American Jewish community is furthering this legacy by spurring economic development, alleviating hunger, protecting workers’ rights, preventing homelessness, and strengthening social justice leadership across lines of race, class, and faith.

Jane Ramsey, director of the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs, explained, “The American Jewish community brings a powerful voice to issues affecting the most vulnerable people in our society. The Jewish Social Justice Roundtable is a manifestation of a strong and growing progressive movement reflective of our Jewish prophetic values.”

“It is important that a variety of faith-based groups have their voices heard by the Obama Administration,” said Rabbi Julie Schonfeld, executive vice president of the Rabbinical Assembly. “Faith-based groups in this country represent a spectrum of belief, ideology and religious practice.”

“Currently, the debate in Washington is focused almost exclusively on reducing the size of government, even as unemployment remains high, and more and more families need to rely on the social safety net,” said Nancy Kaufman, CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women. “As Jewish social justice activists, we are coming to Washington to express our belief that the ultimate goal in any government policy decision—be it the budget or any other issue—must be informed by a commitment to social justice and a more equitable distribution of public funds.”

“I am inspired by our collective commitment to advance a social justice agenda on the national and global stage,” said Ruth Messinger, president of American Jewish World Service. “We must not underestimate the power of letting our government know that global food justice, equitable healthcare, education reform, and affordable housing are authentic expressions of Jewish values. They are issues that Jewish leaders care about deeply and will work on intensively.”

Rabbi Gilah Dror, president, Rabbinical Assembly
Rabbi Julie Schonfeld, executive vice president, Rabbinical Assembly
Rabbi Jay Kornsgold, chair, RA Social Justice Commission
Rabbi Ashira Konigsburg, RA representative to the JSJRT

The Jewish Social Justice Roundtable comprises:

American Jewish World Service
AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps
Hazon
Jewish Community Action
Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston
Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Jewish Council on Urban Affairs
Jewish Organizing Initiative/Center for Jewish Organizing
Jewish Reconstructionist Federation
Jewish World Watch
Jews United for Justice
Keshet
MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger
National Council of Jewish Women
New Israel Fund
PANIM Institute of BBYO
Progressive Jewish Alliance & Jewish Funds for Justice
Rabbinical Assembly
Repair the World
Union for Reform Judaism/Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism/Just Congregations
Uri L’Tzedek

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Statement on Diversity for the Conservative Movement

rabbsuperuser — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 21:01:22 +0000

Statement on Diversity for the Conservative Movement rabbsuperuser Tue, 09/20/2011 - 17:01

The following statement was endorsed by the Leadership Council of Conservative Judaism (LCCJ). It is the first step in an initiative by the RA to address concerns regarding challenges of diversity in rabbinic workplaces. It was written by a committee of the LCCJ led by Elliot Schoenberg of the RA, Danny Nevins of the JTS Rabbinical School, and Michael Miller of FJMC. The statement is a working document, and we welcome feedback and comments

Leadership Council for Conservative Judaism:
Inclusive Hiring Practices Statement

Rabbi [Judah] teaches, “Look not at the container, but at what it holds within.”
- Pirkei Avot 4:27

Religious communities depend heavily upon the leadership skills of both volunteers and professional staff. These people must have integrity, intelligence, faith, knowledge and creativity. They must be humble and kind, yet also bold and assertive when necessary to help their organization address its challenges and seize opportunities to advance its mission.

Who is the best qualified Jewish professional, whether rabbi, cantor, educator, administrator or fundraiser? The answer to this question depends largely on the particulars of the job and of the organization, but one thing is clear--there is no single demographic profile of a successful Jewish professional. Too often Jewish organizations forget this simple fact, setting aside the most talented people in favor of ones who conform to preconceived profiles of Jewish leadership. This tendency to look at the container rather than at its contents hurts both organizations and professionals.

The American Jewish community is becoming increasingly diverse, yet its professionals, especially its clergy, are often expected to look like the leaders of past generations. In order for us to succeed we must draw upon the talents of all of our people, lay and professional, and become discerning judges of leadership potential. Congregations and other communal organizations that focus on external characteristics severely limit their options. Rather they should look for the rabbi, cantor, educator or administrator who is the best fit for their current situation.

Our communities include women and men who are single and partnered of all ages and physical abilities. So too do our clergy and other professionals reflect this diversity of gender, generation, health and relationship status. Nuanced labels of gender and sexual orientation continue to evolve--all of our people are part of the household of Israel and should be welcome as both members and potential leaders of our religious communities. Our communities and our trained professionals include people from varied backgrounds of race and ethnicity; some leaders come from entirely Jewish families, but others come from interfaith families or are themselves Jews by choice. These diverse factors should not be allowed to mask the underlying values that motivate their work. Do their Jewish values and behaviors match those of your community? Will they be challenging, supportive, diligent and inspiring leaders?

Communities often assume that the demographic profile of their professional leadership will automatically attract (or repel) potential members. They may not even be conscious of their inclination to interview, for example, only young or married individuals, thereby missing out on the talented people who might be the perfect match for their community. They also often assume that women and men will balance work and family life differently rather than asking all candidates how they plan to juggle their various responsibilities. Surprisingly, communities often give scant attention to the religious and educational philosophy of their prospective leaders, focusing instead on vague and subjective qualities such as charisma.

How then should a community seek its religious leaders? First, the community should clarify its values and its mission, and then it should ask what leadership qualities are most valuable for the task. The search committee should be charged to look broadly for these leadership qualities and not assume that they can be found in only one demographic profile. Committees should be proactive in meeting candidates of different genders, generations, sexual orientations and backgrounds. They should not assume that their community is “not ready” to welcome a professional whose profile is dissimilar to that of the previous person. If there is a specific halakhic or job-related qualification that would exclude some candidates, this should be made explicit in the job description.

One of our great strengths as a religious movement is that we are pluralistic. We often respect the wisdom and authenticity of various positions even when selecting one particular policy to practice. Particularly when hiring rabbis and cantors it is common for differences of religious perspective and policy to emerge. This is an opportunity to study issues together in an atmosphere of mutual respect so that it can become clear whether the match is likely to succeed.

Some of the most challenging differences of opinion in recent decades have surrounded the expansion of eligibility for admission to rabbinical and cantorial school and then to the professional rabbinate and cantorate. The Conservative Movement welcomes different voices on these matters and views the diversity of opinions and practices within our congregations as a strength. At this point the vast majority of Conservative congregations identify as egalitarian, and a substantial number of our clergy are women. Over the past few years, our American seminaries have also welcomed openly gay and lesbian students, and we are now proud to include talented rabbis and cantors of different genders and sexual orientations. These people include some of the most learned, reverent and kind clergy available.

Congregations and other communal organizations would be well advised to meet with diverse candidates and to be open to the possibility that the best professional for their organization may not conform to their past assumptions of the profile of a religious leader. They should recall God’s instruction to the prophet Samuel when he was searching for the next King of Israel: God does not look at appearance or stature, but at the heart. So too will our communities be best served when they seek leaders for their intellectual, spiritual and social skills, celebrating the diversity of the people who have been inspired to serve God and the Jewish people with all their heart, soul and might.

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Statement on the Release of Gilad Shalit

rabbsuperuser — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:52:02 +0000

Statement on the Release of Gilad Shalit rabbsuperuser Tue, 10/18/2011 - 10:52

The Rabbinical Assembly expresses its gratitude and support to the government of Israel in its tireless efforts to bring about the release of Sergeant Gilad Shalit. After over five long, tortuous years in captivity, during which Hamas has flagrantly violated international human rights norms regarding Gilad Shalit’s visitation rights, we are extremely thankful that he has been returned to Israel and reunited with his family.

We stand with the people of Israel in their steadfast willingness to release over a thousand terrorists serving prison sentences for acts of terror that have taken the lives of many Israeli citizens. The courageous and loyal action on the part of Israel’s people is a beacon of the Jewish conviction that every life is of infinite value and a testament to Israel’s desire for peaceful existence where democratic society can continue to grow.

The RA has been vigilant in advocating for Sgt. Shalit’s release ever since his brazen abduction by Hamas on Sunday, June 25, 2006. Conservative synagogues throughout the world have included prayers for his release every Shabbat. Rabbis and other members of our Movement have met with officials from many governments and influential organizations demanding his release. Two RA resolutions (2010, 2007) have called on the international community to bring about the release of all Israelis missing in action, including Sgt. Shalit.

This past summer, we supported Rep. Gary Ackerman’s introduction of House Resolution 317, a resolution demanding that Hamas immediately and unconditionally release Gilad Shalit. We are especially proud that Sgt. Shalit celebrated his bar mitzvah at Kfar Vradim, a Masorti kehillah in the Galilee, and his parents maintain a relationship with that kehillah.

We also wish to convey our continued hopes and prayers that other Israeli MIAs will soon be returned to their loved ones in Israel.

Gilad Shalit’s capture and imprisonment serves as a reminder of the fragility of human life, and his release as a beacon of God’s providence, themes that come to the fore during the season of Sukkot. As we near the end of the holiday, we give thanks to God for spreading a canopy of protection over Gilad Shalit throughout his captivity.

Julie Schonfeld Receives JWI’s 2011 Women to Watch Award

rabbsuperuser — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 22:51:32 +0000

Julie Schonfeld Receives JWI’s 2011 Women to Watch Award rabbsuperuser Tue, 12/06/2011 - 17:51

Pictured below:
Julie Schonfeld and Susan Turnbull, JWI Board of Trustees Chair (Photo: Michael Kress)

Washington, DC – Jewish Women International (JWI) honored Rabbi Julie Schonfeld yesterday with its 2011 Women to Watch award. Rabbi Schonfeld is the executive vice president of the Rabbinical Assembly (RA), the international association of Conservative/Masorti rabbis. She received the award for her commitment to the future of the Jewish people, her voice in the public square advocating the work of social justice as a fundamental Jewish obligation, and her approach to reimagining the work of denominations as visionary religious movements.

Rabbi Schonfeld was honored Monday at the 14^th annual Women to Watch celebration at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC, which included a gala luncheon, awards ceremony and a dynamic honorees’ discussion panel.

Rabbi Schonfeld, the first woman to hold the position of executive vice president at the RA, was named one of the 50 most influential Rabbis by both the Forward and Newsweek in 2011. Her work and influence in the Jewish world has garnered her an appointment to President Obama’s Council for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Prior to becoming the executive vice president, she served as director of rabbinic development working with newly graduated rabbis looking for pulpits and developed programming for rabbis on clergy self-awareness and boundaries. She oversaw the Jewish community’s first and only study of women rabbis’ career paths and developed numerous programs to further the career advancement of female clergy. Prior to working at the RA, Rabbi Schonfeld served as a congregational rabbi at the Society for the Advancement of Judaism, a historic congregation on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

“The Conservative movement is not its institutions; it’s a community of people inspired by powerful ideas who want to have an impact on the world,” said Schonfeld. “But I also believe strongly in the ongoing value of large, networked institutions. It’s about figuring out how these institutions can be most effective.”

Schonfeld is one of ten exceptional Jewish women from across the United States who received the 2011 Women to Watch award.

“Women today are making an immeasurable difference in the world, and these Jewish women, who have accomplished so much in their fields, serve as role models to the next generation of Jewish girls looking to make their way,” said Loribeth Weinstein, JWI’s executive director. “We are thrilled to honor these worthy women and to give them and their accomplishments the spotlight. This is how we ensure the proliferation of women’s leadership.”

Together with Rabbi Schonfeld, the others selected for their unique contributions are:

Mia Bauer, New York, NY, chief creative officer, co-founder and vice president of Crumbs Bake Shop; Abby Greensfelder, Washington, DC, founder, owner and executive producer of Half Yard Productions; Kim Morris Heiman, Cincinnati, OH, president of SK Textile and managing director at Standard Textile Company; Alexis Kashar, New York, NY, activist attorney for the deaf and hard of hearing community, and chair of the civil rights committee for the National Association for the Deaf; Kathy E. Manning, Greensboro, NC, first woman chair of the board of trustees of The Jewish Federations of North America; attorney specializing in litigation and immigration; Rynthia Manning Rost, Bethesda, MD, vice president of public affairs for the Government Employees Insurance Company (GEICO); Ellen Stone, New York, NY, senior vice president, marketing at Bravo Media; Abbie Weisberg, Chicago, IL, CEO/executive director of Keshet, a non-profit guided by Jewish values; Esther B. Newman, Rockville, MD, founder and executive director of Leadership Montgomery, a 22-year-old nonprofit with nationally-recognized community leadership programs.

For more information please contact:

Jake Sharfman, Puder Public Relations
Phone: 212-315-1201
Email: info@puderpr.com

Statement on the Recent Violent Attacks by Israeli Jewish Extremists

rabbsuperuser — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 20:54:22 +0000

Statement on the Recent Violent Attacks by Israeli Jewish Extremists rabbsuperuser Mon, 12/19/2011 - 15:54

The Rabbinical Assembly reacts with horror at the increasing and wanton violence carried out by extremist Israeli Jews last week. Their attacks on the IDF last Tuesday at an army base in the West Bank, and the torching of a mosque in Jerusalem on Wednesday are only recent examples of this brazen behavior.

Our 2010 Resolution on Civil Discourse quotes Rabbi Israel Salanter in saying, “Be vigilant in protecting the honor of all people, especially those with whom you disagree.“ In resorting to violence, these extremists have greatly dishonored those with whom they disagree.

We affirm Prime Minister Netanyahu’s accepting the recommendations of a special task force on Jewish extremists' violence composed of top security officials calling for trying the rioters in military courts; giving the Israeli army the authority to detain demonstrators; and increasing the number of investigation teams and resources to conduct investigations.

Statement on the Negative Atmosphere in Israel

rabbsuperuser — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 23:07:47 +0000

Statement on the Negative Atmosphere in Israel rabbsuperuser Mon, 12/19/2011 - 18:07

English | עברית

By Mauricio Balter, president of the Masorti Movement

In recent weeks we witnessed radicalization in the name of religion perpetrated by Jews whose actions desecrate God’s name. The religious extremism and radicalism has revealed it’s dark self in different ways: the disappearance of women from the public sphere, vandalism of Arab properties, disrespecting the faith of the non-Jews that live in Israel, and causing verbal and physical harm to soldiers of the IDF.

Jewish fundamentalism is no less loathsome and no less dangerous than any other type of fundamentalism. We must condemn each and every one of these instances. They are far from the spirit of Judaism. Torah of truth and righteousness does not include extremism and exclusion rather Torah is accepting and egalitarian. All of us, men and women, Jews and non-Jews were created in the image of God.

“And God created human beings in God’s image. In the image of God he was created, male and female God created them.” (Genesis 1:27)

The disappearance of women from stores, roads, gyms and public institutions is illegal and dangerous. Abusing the property, bodies or the confidence of those from other religions is a desecration of Heaven. Harming the soldiers of Israel’s defense forces is a crime for which no request for forgiveness can atone. A Jew who participates in these crimes has no respect the holiness of creation. S/he is indeed far from the divine.

When Habakuk writes: “A righteous person should live by her/his faith” (Habakuk 2:4) he is referring to justice. Righteousness without justice is evil. A human who discriminates, is violent, or degrades in the name of religion is not religious.

This Shabbat, like on all shabbatot we pray for peace. Peace between human beings, between men and women, between Israel and the world. May God who brings peace to the heavens, bring peace to us and to all Israel and to all who reside on Earth.

עברית | English

תגובה לרוח הרעה השוטפת את הארץ

מאת הרב מאוריסיו בלטר, נשיא כנסת הרבנים של התנועה המסורתית

בשבועות האחרונים אנחנו עדים להקצנה בשם הדת על ידי יהודים הנושאים לשווא את שם ה'. הקצנה דתית היא הקצנה דתית. פניה המכוערות מתגלות בתופעות שונות - הדרת הנשים מהמרחב הציבורי, השחתת רכוש של ערבים, ביזוי אמונתם הדתית של תושביה הלא-יהודים של הארץ, פגיעה מילולית ופיזית בחיילי צה"ל.

פונדמנטליזם יהודי אינו פחות מאוס ואינו פחות מסוכן מכל זן אחר של מפונדמנטליזם. יש לגנות תופעות אלה מכל וכל. הן זרות לרוחה של היהדות, שהיא תורת אמת וצדק, לא קיצונית, לא מדירה, אלא מקבלת ושוויונית. כולנו - גברים ונשים, יהודים ולא יהודים – נבראנו בצלם אלוהים.

וַיִּבְרָא אֱלֹהִים אֶת הָאָדָם בְּצַלְמוֹ בְּצֶלֶם אֱלֹהִים בָּרָא אֹתוֹ זָכָר וּנְקֵבָה בָּרָא אֹתָם: (בראשית א', כ"ז)

הדרת נשים, מחנויות, רחובות, חדרי כושר ומוסדות ציבור היא אסורה ומסוכנת; התעמרות ברכושם, בגופם או באמונותיהם של בני דתות אחרות, היא חילול שם שמיים; פגיעה בחיילי צה"ל היא עבירה עליה שום בקשת מחילה לא תכפר. יהודי השולח ידו במעשים כאלה אינו מכבד את קדושתה של הבריאה. הוא ממעיט מאלוהות ממש.

כשחבקוק כותב וצַדִּיק בֶּאֱמוּנָתוֹ יִחְיֶה (חבקוק ב, ד) הוא מתכוון לצדק. צדיקות ללא צדק היא רשעות. אדם העושה מעשים גזעניים, אלימים, משפילים בשם הדת איננו אדם דתי.

בשבת זו, כמו בכל שבת נתפלל לשלום: שלום בין אדם לאדם, בין איש לאישה, בין ישראל לעולם. עושה שלום במרומיו, הוא יעשה שלום עלינו ועל כל ישראל ועל כל יושבי תבל.

Archive 2011

Magen Tzedek Responds to Agudath Israel

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Clarification Regarding Stunning and Schechitah

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Magen Tzedek - Responding to a Higher Responsibility

170 Jewish Social Justice Leaders to Meet With Obama Administration

Statement on Diversity for the Conservative Movement

Leadership Council for Conservative Judaism:Inclusive Hiring Practices Statement

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Statement on the Release of Gilad Shalit

Julie Schonfeld Receives JWI’s 2011 Women to Watch Award

Statement on the Recent Violent Attacks by Israeli Jewish Extremists

Statement on the Negative Atmosphere in Israel

תגובה לרוח הרעה השוטפת את הארץ

Leadership Council for Conservative Judaism:
Inclusive Hiring Practices Statement