A recommendation that the Rabbinical Assembly, the rabbinical organization of Conservative Judaism, accept ordained women for membership will be made by Dr. Judah Nadich, in his presidential report to be delivered at the RA’s 74th Annual Convention. The convention, to be attended by 1100 Conservative rabbis, will be held at the Concord Hotel here May 5-9.
The recommendation is consonant with the convention’s theme which is Judaism’s reactions to contemporary and future ethical issues. In announcing this emphasis of the convention, Rabbi Nadich pointed out that the three initial sessions, “Grappling with a Theology for our Lives” will provide a framework for all subsequent discussions as well.
The convention this year will confront the radical challenges to Jewish life in teaching and contemporary culture, science and technology,” Rabbi Nadich said. He acknowledged that his recommendation for the acceptance of ordained women by the RA was revolutionary, especially as the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, the training institution for most Conservative rabbis, does not admit women for rabbinical training.
The idea of admitting women to RA membership follows a decision announced last Sept. when the Assembly’s Committee on Jewish Law and Standards ruled that women may be counted in a minyan, the quorum for prayer. Rabbi Nadich said that the status of women in Conservative Judaism must be raised to a parity being achieved by women in other fields. “In ancient times and medieval days, the status of the Jewish woman was at least as high as, and usually higher than, the status of women in contemporary cultures. It should be that again today, in all matters of law and practice,” Rabbi Nadich said.
WILL INFLUENCE POLICIES IN OTHER AREAS
He said he was aware that the JTS sets standards for admission to its Rabbinical School. “But we must now recognize that two rabbinical schools now ordain women,” Rabbi Nadich said. Furthermore, he added, a decision by the Rabbinical Assembly on this matter “cannot help but influence the policies of the Seminary. I, for one, would heartily endorse such action by us,” he said.
Rabbi Nadich’s report to the convention will also recommend the preparation of a “complete home book of prayer” by the RA to meet “the increasing lack of Jewishness in the Jewish home today which deprives us of what used to be and can be again, the third in a triumvirate of citadels for Jewish survival, together with the synagogue and the religious schools.”
Another recommendation will be support by local Jewish community Federations and Welfare Funds of communal programs carried on by synagogues such as nursery schools and senior citizen programs which are not being aided by the central community Federations at the present time.
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