Proclamation on the Founding of the Zacharias Frankel School in Berlin and the Yeshiva in Santiago, Chile

Whereas the efforts of Masorti Olami to build, renew and strengthen Jewish life in existing and developing communities throughout the world are essential to supporting and expanding the Conservative/Masorti movement and

Whereas over 135 kehillot around the world are now affiliated with Masorti Olami in Europe, Latin America, the Former Soviet Union, Africa, Asia and Australia and the list keeps growing and

Whereas in November 2013 the Zacharias Frankel College opened in Potsdam, Germany to train Masorti/Conservative Rabbis for Europe in cooperation with the University of Potsdam, named in honor of the 19th century founder of Positive Historical (later Conservative) Judaism, signifying the return of Conservative Judaism to its birthplace in Germany and

Whereas thanks to the partnership between the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies and the School of Jewish Theology of the University of Potsdam, which offers graduate and rabbinical degrees, Frankel students will gain Conservative ordination and become members of the Rabbinical Assembly.

Whereas in December 2013 the Seminario Rabínico Latinoamericano “Marshall T. Meyer” founded a Yeshiva in Santiago, Chile within the framework of its Chilean programs and with the endorsement of the Vaad HaRabanim of Chile, to provide high school and university students with opportunities for the advanced study of Judaism with the option of continuing their studies towards educational, cantorial or rabbinical degrees at the Seminario.

Therefore be it resolved that we proclaim and celebrate the opening of these two houses of study, the prospect of Conservative Rabbis being ordained in Germany and of young Jews in Latin America having greater opportunities for advanced Jewish studies and express our gratitude and support for the work of our Masorti Olami colleagues who are carrying the Torah of Conservative Judaism throughout the world.