Judaism Cannot Be Allowed to Become Passive Partner of Israel

Warning that diaspora Judaism cannot be allowed to become a passive partner of Israel, Rabbi Robert Gordis urged an expanded program for diaspora Judaism in Israel. “What is important to recognize,” he told the Rabbinical Assembly holding its 75th anniversary convention here, “is that both have basic and enduring significance and are indispensable for the Jewish future, The influence Israel will exert on the diaspora and the influence of the diaspora on Israel will be decided by the contributions they will make to the treasure-house of the Jewish spirit.”

Rabbi Gordis, professor of Bible and Rapaport professor in the philosophies of religion at the Jewish Theological Seminary and a former president of the Rabbinical Assembly, outlined a five point program relating Israel and the diaspora:

A considerable number of Conservative synagogues must be established in Israel “not merely as Anglo-Saxon enclaves”; vastly increased participation in the life of Israel by these committed to Conservative Judaism; the distinctive aspects of Conservative Judaism “must demonstrate in life that the Jewish tradition is not the monopoly of one segment of Jewry”; elementary and intermediate schools, and a summer camp program such as Ramah must be created for Israeli children; and a publication program, as well as adult education programs through lectures must be increased considerably.

Rabbi Gordis stated that “The struggle for religious freedom must go on if true mutuality between Israel and the diaspora is to exist.” Stating that the Yom Kippur War has tended to “make realities clearer than they were before,” he said that the present moment is a particularly propitious time for the expansion, and acceptance of Conservative Judaism in Israel.

DECENTRALIZATION OF SYNAGOGUES IN AMERICA

At a panel discussion, Rabbi Wolfe Kelman, executive vice-president of the Rabbinical Assembly, predicted that the future synagogue in America will be “more personalized, less centralized and less authoritarian,” and that the rabbi will be an employe of the community rather than of the individual congregation.

He pointed to “an acceleration of a process of decentralization” in which a few charismatic leaders will not be “responsible for the articulation of whatever passed for an ideology.” He noted that in the future Jews “will tend to look less to the rabbi as the star oracle and surrogate Jew and more as a resource to help them find their way towards a more intensive Jewish life-style.”