Convention of U.S. Orthodox Rabbis Endorses Reunification of Jerusalem

The annual convention of the Rabbinical Council of America adopted today a resolution endorsing “wholeheartedly” the decision of the Israeli Government to restore “the Holy City” of Jerusalem “to its original state” and to guarantee the sanctity and free access to its holy places.” The 600 Orthodox rabbis also urged “rabbis and laymen alike to take advantage of the access “and to embark on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.”

In another resolution, the convention denounced “the vicious propaganda campaign” in the Soviet press and communications media against Israel “which has placed in jeopardy the security of the 3,000,000 Jews of the Soviet Union.” The resolution urged the Soviet Government to curb these immoral and inflammatory practices.” The resolution also asked the Soviet Government to extend to its Jewish minority “the same rights, privileges and opportunities to develop their own religious and cultural life” given other ethnic and nationality groups. It also called on the Soviet Union “to accelerate” the reunion of Jewish families separated during World War II by the Nazi holocaust.

In another resolution, the rabbis urged the United Nations and the International Red Cross to intervene in Arab countries where Jewish nationals “have been subjected to lynching, brutal and barbaric treatment” following the Arab-Israel war “to put an end to these outrages and to ensure that fundamental human rights are guaranteed.” Rabbi Pesach Levovitz of Lakewood, was elected to a second term as president and Rabbi Zev Segal of Newark was elected first vice-president.