Relations with Orthodox and Reform Judaism

We accept as fundamental in Judaism the principle that all Jews are responsible for one another. Therefore, from the days of Solomon Schechter we have worked for the good of all Jews, setting aside our own interests at times because we believe that the welfare of Am Yisrael transcends all parochial interests. Furthermore, we deplore the lack of civility which mars cooperative efforts within the Jewish community and which tears asunder the fragile fabric of unity built so painstakingly over the years. ["Emet Ve-Emunah: The Statement of Principals of Conservative Judaism", p.41]

Dr. Rabbi Ismar Schorsch is Chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, the spiritual and academic center of Conservative Judaism. He offers these responses to Orthodox attacks against Conservative Judaism.

"Seizing the Moment"

http://www.jtsa.edu/pubs/schorsch/seizemom.html

A Sea Change Begun

http://www.jtsa.edu/pubs/schorsch/seachg.html

Rabbi Jerome Epstein, Executive Vice-President of The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, offers these articles urging tolerance towards, and from, Orthodox Judaism.

The importance of halakhah, and a true appreciation for its ongoing development, are vital values in Conservative Judaism. So too is respect for those who try to live their lives according to Jewish law -- even if their interpretations differ from our own. Although there are some members of the Jewish community who claim, with certainty, to know precisely what God desires, I must admit, in all humility, that I do not. Accordingly, I am not willing to trivialize opinions different from mine.

http://www.uscj.org/scripts/uscj/paper/Article.asp?ArticleID=663

I am not convinced by the rhetoric of my Orthodox colleagues. I still maintain that Conservative Judaism is legitimate Judaism. Equally, I understand that my words will never persuade them. They will still refuse to acknowledge that Conservative Judaism and its ideology have engaged the plurality of Jews who identify with religious life. This is most unfortunate, for if my Orthodox colleagues would join me in that understanding, perhaps we would strengthen Jewish commitment rather than diminish it....I am a Conservative rabbi because I am committed to change that. I want to inspire Jews to let Judaism inspire them. I know that there are many Orthodox Jews who are committed to this same goal. What a wonderful statement would be made if we were to develop a joint campaign for Jewish living. Let us not focus on where we differ. Let us move beyond that and begin to stress our common commitment to the enrichment of Jewish life for each Jew

To see the full article

http://www.uscj.org/scripts/uscj/paper/Article.asp?ArticleID=372

Rabbi Jerome Epstein offers a response to the ultra-Orthodox attempt deny that the Conservative Movement is a form of Judaism. He writes:

I was pained this week when fellow Jews who belong to the Union of Orthodox Rabbis -- representing a minuscule number of our co-religionists -- declared that Conservative Judaism and Reform Judaism are "outside of the Torah" and are not authentic Jewish streams. While even their own colleagues in the wider Orthodox Movement have expressed some embarrassment at this position -- a hollow political gesture which, by the Union's own admission, is intended simply to influence the current debate in Israel over conversion -- there are several reasons we should pay at least some attention to this patently absurd statement...

To see the full article:

http://www.uscj.org/scripts/uscj/paper/Articlenolist.asp?ArticleID=6

Mercaz, the official Zionist arm of the Conservative movement, has responded to Orthodox attempts to deligitimize Conservative Judaism.

http://www.uscj.org/scripts/uscj/paper/Article.asp?ArticleID=532

Conservative leaders decry decision of Israeli Orthodox Chief Rabbinate

http://www.uscj.org/scripts/uscj/paper/Article.asp?ArticleID=453

http://www.uscj.org/scripts/uscj/paper/Article.asp?ArticleID=341

The USCJ discusses its position on civility in public discourse

http://www.uscj.org/scripts/uscj/paper/Article.asp?ArticleID=395

http://www.uscj.org/scripts/uscj/paper/Article.asp?ArticleID=22

For an example of attacks against non-Orthodox Jews, and examples of kashrut wars, read through the following entries from the Masorti Movement.

http://www.jtsa.edu/org/masorti/old/0295.html

http://www.jtsa.edu/org/masorti/old/0595.html

http://www.uscj.org/scripts/uscj/paper/Articlenolist.asp?ArticleID=15

(Articles to be added on relations with Reform Judaism.)