Delegates at the 77th annual convention of the Rabbinical Assembly (RA) refused last night to approve a resolution urging American Jewry “to exercise self-restraint in the criticism of Israel’s policies on security, defense, borders and the ultimate components of people.” The resolution, which the Conservative rabbis voted to table, also suggested that “American Jews be dissuaded from engaging in direct contact with Arab leadership” on matters of peace, security and borders.
The tabling vote came after the 600 delegates heard a debate on the activities of Breira between Rabbi Mordecai Waxman of Great Neck, N.Y., a former RA president, and Rabbi Arnold Wolf, director of the Hillel Foundation at Yale University and chairman of Breira. The two agreed that the right of dissent on all issues, including Israel, was essential to American Jewish life but differed on the value of the continuance of Breira and on whether it was an asset on the American Jewish scene.
There was also a lengthy discussion by RA members who felt that the resolution was unnecessary and basically an abridgement of free speech. The vote was considered a reflection not of support for Breira, since a majority of those speaking agreed with the contention of Waxman that while the right of dissent was inviolate, there were nevertheless reservations about the policies and public activities of Breira.
DEBATE ON BREIRA
Waxman said “Breira has made its point, but it is now dividing the American Jewish community, polarizing it. Having made its point, the best contribution Breira can make today to Jewish life is to go out of business.”
Because Israel is a “sovereign state,” Waxman added, American Jewry does not have the right to interfere and give its opinion on matters of war and peace and security. But he contended that American Jewry has a right to express its views on religious practices in Israel, as well as on the general way of life in a country that was created by a world Jewry through the Zionist movement.
Wolf defended Breira as a pro-Zionist organization, and said he has called himself a Zionist for more than a quarter of a century. He said Breira is conscious of the importance of security for Israel, as is all American Jewry, but differs with many American Jews about what Israel’s stand should be on the question of its borders and its willingness to make compromises for peace.
“I believe in a peace that is coming that will be difficult for us all to swallow–a peace not of war and victory, but of accommodation,” Wolf said. “Personally, I do not believe in the centrality of Israel in world Jewish life, but I believe in the indispensability of Israel to the future of world Jewry. We do not question Israel’s right to exist but we do question the monolithic American Jewish view of Israel.” Wolf defended Breira’s right to exist and said “in a democratic society, there are no limits to dissent, except those self-imposed.”
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