GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2017
FEDERATION MEMBERS CORPORATION RESOLUTION JEWISH RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY IN ISRAEL
November 13, 2017

Whereas, The Jewish Federations of North America view, with the highest priority, the preservation of the unity of the Jewish people; and

Whereas, the centrality of Israel to all Jews is fundamental to our very Peoplehood; and Whereas, the support of the Jewish people for the State of Israel and identification with it are one of the most important strategic assets of the State of Israel; and

Whereas, on June 25, 2017 the Government of Israel suspended its resolution to implement the Kotel agreement reached with the Jewish Agency, the Religious Streams, Jewish Federations, the Rabbi of the Western Wall and the Prime Minister’s Office, which would have ensured that the Kotel remain a unifying symbol for Jews around the world fulfilling the vision of “One Wall for One People” and the Government also sought to advance a conversion bill that would grant a formal and permanent monopoly on conversions in Israel to the Chief Rabbinate, which could take steps that permanently exclude hundreds of thousands of Israelis and other potential new immigrants from being considered part of the Jewish people; and

Whereas, these decisions create divides between the North American Jewish community and Israel and could undermine the Zionist vision and the State of Israel’s sacred role as a national home for the entire Jewish people; and

Therefore, be it resolved that