RA and USCJ Statement on Keruv and Intermarriage

The Conservative Movement welcomes with open arms people of any faith or background who sincerely seek to draw closer to Judaism, whether because of their relationships to Jews or out of their own spiritual aspirations. We appreciate the opportunity to share and articulate the tradition that we are blessed to inherit and in cases where these seekers are parenting children and engaging them in the Jewish community, we especially appreciate their partnership and the openhearted commitment they extend to the tradition that is so precious to us.

As individuals and communities committed to a vibrant Jewish future we affirm the values and fundamental structure of our religious tradition which holds that certain Jewish rituals can only apply to Jews. That tradition reflects that the most effective means to nurture Jewish identity into the next generation is in a household in which two Jews are lovingly committed to each other, to building a Jewish home and to raising Jewish children. These traditions and practices have withstood the test of millennia.

At the same time, we know that we are blessed to live today in the most open society the world has ever experienced; one in which the Jewish people have never been more accepted nor felt more at home.  We also, therefore, seek to embrace those who have fallen in love with non-Jews, married and are committed to creating a Jewish home.  Our first priority is always that the non-Jew experiencing our way of life can do so at a pace and in an environment where he or she feels accepted and welcomed. Moreover, the unconditional embrace we extend to non-Jews is heartfelt and enthusiastic wherever they are on their religious journeys.