Rabbinical Assembly Votes to Expand Conservative Movement in Israel

The Rabbinical Assembly, central body of the Conservative rabbis in the United States and Canada, closed its five-day annual convention here tonight with the adoption of a resolution calling for the expansion of the activities of the Conservative movement in Israel and the development of additional educational and cultural institutions and activities in Israel to further establish the Conservative presence there. In a special preamble to the resolution, the convention endorsed the work of the Zionist movement in the past and emphasized the commitment of Conservative Judaism to the Zionist cause.

Among the specifics referred back to the executive committee of the Rabbinical Assembly for implementation were a network of Ramah camps for Israeli youth, a high school in Israel for American and Israeli young people and a youth service project which would bring American college graduates to Israel to teach and work among newly arrived immigrants. It was also proposed that retired members of the Rabbinical Assembly go to Israel to contribute their experience in adult education and related programs. A cable from Israel Prime Minister Levi Eshkol hailed the projects and welcomed the participation of American young people in the life of Israel.

The delegates also adopted a resolution affirming their sympathy with the Jews of Soviet Russia and calling upon the Russian Government either to permit Russian Jews to live religiously as Jews or to let them emigrate. Another resolution urges all Jews in Conservative Judaism to give their support and leadership to the growth and development of Conservative Jewish day schools.

The closing meeting of the convention tonight was a convocation of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America honoring Canadian members of the Rabbinical Assembly. At the convocation, the Jewish Theological Seminary of America was scheduled to confer the honorary degree of doctor of laws on Lester Pearson, Premier of Canada.