How does Conservative Judaism view Zionism?
The United Synagogue early on took the lead in advocating the Zionist cause. Its 1913 constitution states that one of its purposes is "to preserve in the [prayer] service the reference to Israel's past and hopes for Israel's restoration." From 1917 on, the annual reports of the United Synagogue always featured the Zionist cause. The 1917 report states that the body "joins with the Zionists throughout the world in voicing the claim to a legally recognized and internationally secured homeland for the Jewish people in Palestine." Zionism has always been omnipresent on the agenda of the Rabbinical Assembly.[From "Conservative Judaism: The New Century"]
How do Conservative Jews view the existence of The State of Israel?
We rejoice in the existence of Medinat Yisrael (the State of Israel) in Eretz Yisrael (the Land of Israel), with its capital Jerusalem. We view this phenomenon not just in political or military terms; Rather, we consider it to be a miracle reflecting Divine Providence in human affairs. We glory in Israel; We celebrate the rebirth of Zion.
Eretz Yisrael plays a central and vital role in the life and culture of all the world's Jewry. The Bible states that God has promised this land to us. The brit (covenant) between God and the Jewish people created an unbreakable bond between us and the Land of Israel. Throughout the ages we have revered, honored, cherished, prayed for, dreamed of, and sought to settle in Jerusalem and the Land of Israel.
We staunchly support the Zionist ideal and take pride in the achievements of the State. To be sure, the Conservative movement has not always agreed with all of Israel's positions on domestic and foreign affairs, but we still remain firm and loving supporters of the State of Israel. [Emet Ve-Emunah, p.37, 38]
How do Conservative Jews regard the role of religion within the State of Israel?
The State of Israel is a unique phenomenon in history. On the one hand, it is and ought to be a democratic state which safeguards freedom for all its citizens. On the other hand it is and ought to be a distinctively Jewish state, fostering Jewish religious and cultural values. However, the laws passed by the State of Israel should not be used to enforce a single religious view to the exclusion of others.
The Conservative movement affirms that the Jewish religion identifies, distinguishes, unites and preserves the Jewish people. Consequently, we believe that the State of Israel must encourage Jewish patterns of life in all the agencies of the State. Without being a theocracy, Israel should reflect the highest religious and moral values of Judaism and be saturated with Jewish living to the fullest extent possible in a free society. Hence we welcome the reality that Shabbat and the Jewish holidays, kashrut and other mitzvot are officially upheld by the government.
While we strongly endorse the need to maintain the Jewish character and ambience of Israel, we regard it as an overriding moral principle that the State never employ coercion in the area of religious beliefs and practices.
[Emet Ve-Emunah, p.34,45]
What is the Masorti movement, and how has the Conservative movement developed in Israel?
http://www.masorti.org/
Conservative Judaism begun to make its presence known in Israel before the 1960s. Today, there are over 40 congregations with over 12,000 affiliates. In 1962 the Seminary began creating Neve Schechter, the University's Jerusalem campus. This center houses the Schocken Center for Jewish Research, and the Saul Liberman Institute for Talmudic Research. In 1975 a new Rabbinical School curriculum instituted a year of study in Israel as a requirement for every seminary rabbinical student.
In 1979 Chancellor Gerson Cohen announced the creation of the Masorti (Traditional) movement as Israel's own indigenous Conservative movement, with its own executive director, board and executive committee. Today the Masorti movement is an independent Israeli organization, that is parallel to, and not a subset of, the USCJ. There is cooperation on a large number of projects and issues. Many members of the Masorti movement are also members of the Rabbinical Assembly (RA).
The Masorti movement sponsors youth groups, an overnight camp, a system of day camps, Kibbutz Hanaton and its Education Center and Moshav Shorashim, and special programs teaching new Russian and Ethiopian olim (immigrants) basic Judaism. It is involved in many issues promoting the legitimate rights of non-orthodox, traditional Jews. The movement also sponsors "The Center for Conservative Judaism in Jerusalem" [From "Conservative Judaism: The New Century"]
Center for Conservative Judaism, 2 Agron Street, P.O. Box 7456
Jerusalem 94265 Israel
Phone 02-257-463 FAX 972-02-234127
The Center provides activities and resources such as: daily study Havurot; headquarters for the Israel operations of USY; campus outreach programs at Israeli universities; a resource center for those making Aliyah from our Movement; A youth hostel, the "Neshama" program for Schechter High School Seniors as well a variety of educational programs. Adjacent to the Center is Congregation Moreshet Israel providing daily, Shabbat, and festival services. The Center will provide outreach to movement members of all ages who are in Israel, including home hospitality, and support whenever needed.
What is MERCAZ? (The Conservative Zionist movement)
MERCAZ 155 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10010
212-533-7800 Ext. 2016
http://www.mercazusa.org/
MERCAZ is the Zionist organization of the Conservative Movement, and represents Conservative/Masorti Jews the world over. Its goals include pressing for religious pluralism, working for an equitable distribution of funding from the World Zionist Organization Jewish Agency for Conservative Zionist programs in Israel and America, promoting civil rights in Israel for all people, encouraging electoral reform in Israel, and opposing any change in "Who Is a Jew" and "Law of Return".
MERCAZ is a member of the World Zionist Organization and the Jewish Agency for Israel, both of which have been designated by the Knesset as channels of communication and influence between Diaspora Jewry and the government of Israel. Through these institutions MERCAZ works with on issues such as aliyah and absorption, education, young leadership, and community affairs.
What is the relationship between the Masorti movement and the Conservative movement in America?
The Rabbinical Assembly of Israel is an organization of Masorti (Conservative) Rabbis living and working in Israel, and presently numbers over 120 rabbis. It is part of the international Rabbinical Assembly of Conservative Rabbis worldwide. All RA members in Israel are thus also RA members in the USCJ, and as such can vote and discuss on all issues.
The Va'ad Halacha (Law Committee) is its decision making body in matters of Jewish law, and corresponds to the CJLS in the United States. Masorti Rabbis hold that responsa by both the CJLS as well as the Va'ad Halacha are valid. The CJLS and Va'ad Halakha do not always come up with the same answer in a given teshuva; In such a cases a rabbi uses his/her perogative as mara d'atra and decide which responsa to accept.
Learn more about their responsa at:
http://www.masorti.org/responsa/
