Agudath Israel Says Israel’s Problems Can Be Solved by Returning to Jewish Values

Agudath Israel of America urged “the leadership of the State of Israel to accept its current isolation in the intentional arena as a signal that relief from its problems can only come from a wholehearted return to eternal Jewish values,” in a proclamation passed on the closing day of its four-day national convention last weekend. The convention was attended by 3000 delegates.

The proclamation declared: “There are many sides to our current dilemmas–political, strategic. economic, social, religious and existential. Yet, all are Jewish problems as they affect us, and as such they require Jewish solutions. We must respond with more generous giving, more intensive identification with Jewry and Judaism, deeper faith in God, and stronger commitment to Torah study….We thus assure the State of Israel that we identify with its present beleaguered situation, and urge our membership to give it its utmost in aid and encouragement.”

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein of New York, who heads the Moetzes Gedolei Ha Torah (Council of Torah Sages) of Agudath Israel, and chairs its presidium, decried the fact that among the huge amount of queries he receives for rabbinical guidance, “Jews never seek halachic views on how to spend one’s charity dollar or how to educate one’s child.” The famed Torah scholar lauded the Agudath Israel movement for “giving a new spirit of pride to Orthodox Jewry in this country as well as for its historic accomplishments in representing the interests of yeshivos at all levels of government.”

RECEPTION FOR PANOVS CRITICIZED

The “American Jewish Establishment” was sharply criticized by Rabbi Moshe Sherer, executive president of Agudath Israel, for “treating in public receptions the Russian emigrant husband and wife team of ballet dancers (Valery and Galina Panov). as if they were Jews, when Mr. Panov’s mother was non-Jewish and his wife openly admits that she is not of Jewish origin.” He stated that, “these public receptions, given by Jewish organizations to the Panovs as ‘Jewish heroes, are a damaging blow to the preservation of authentic Jewish identity.” The Agudath Israel leader also announced that the Agudath Israel movement is expanding its social service programs for the Jewish community at an accelerated pace, which will help the aged and the needy “with programs provided with a unique traditional Jewish flavor.”

Rabbi Menachem Porush, member of Knesset, who came here in order to address the convention, stated that “the Israel government leaders must understand that unless religion is fostered in the country, a secular citizenry can fall apart at the seams under the tensions of a growing sense of isolation.” One of Europe’s most distinguished Torah scholars, Rabbi Leib Gurwicz, the Rosh Yeshiva (dean) of the Gateshead Yeshiva, England. called for “an end to the despondency and pessimism which has gripped the Jewish consciousness,” and pointed to historical examples of “Divine intervention, of which we must be worthy, which has consistently protected the Jewish people from those who would destroy them.”