California Rabbis Opposed to Intermarriage Unless Non-jewish Party Accepts Judaism

Unequivocal opposition to mixed marriages between Jew and Gentile where there is no declaration of willingness on the part of the non-Jew to embrace the Jewish faith is expressed in a resolution which has just been adopted by the Board of Rabbis of Northern California, of which Rabbi Elliot M. Burstein of this city is the president.

Such marriages should not be solemnized by rabbis, declares the resolution, since this tends “to sanction the disintegration of the Jewish people, to threaten the integrity of the Jewish home and to secularize the rabbinical calling by converting it into a civil magistracy.” With regard to non-Jews who are willing to accept the Jewish faith, the resolution states:

“The members of the board reiterate the age-old welcome that since the days of Ruth Israel has extended to those who accept Israel’s truth upon entering the marriage bond with Israel’s children. Where the non-Jewish party to the marriage signifies a willingness to enter into kinship with the Jewish people and allegiance to the Jewish faith and gives evidence of acquiring the knowledge and discipline that will make this desire meaningful—such a marriage is an intermarriage and fully in accord with the highest precepts of Israel’s teachings.”