A MESSAGE TO THE
JEWISH COMMUNITY
T
he Union of Orthodox Jewish
Congregations of America, also
known as the "Orthodox Union," rep-
resenting hundreds of thousands of Orthodox
Jews, and the Rabbinical Council of America,
representing over 1,000 Orthodox rabbis
serving world Jewry, are highly critical of the
statement recently released by a Jewish orga-
nization whose name is easily confused with
that of the Orthodox Union. While we
acknowledge divisions with non-Orthodox
movements on core theological issues, we
consider them disagreements within the fam-
ily. We also repudiate the erroneously
reported implication that Conservative and
Reform Jews are not Jews by virtue of their
religious affiliation.
,
Union of Orthodox Jewish
Congregations of America
333 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10001
e-mail: feedback@ou.org
Such statements reflect negatively on our
efforts to project an Orthodoxy of inclusion.
We deal with the deep religious disagree-
ments in a constructive communal manner
rather than in a public display which, while
achieving headlines, pains the Jewish soul.
We consider the statement particularly inap-
propriate in light of the risks currently facing
the Jews of Israel and other communities world-
wide that cry out for Jewish unity. We must
never lose sight of the fact that we are one peo-
ple. To publicly and recklessly emphasize that
which divides us harms the Jewish community.
We call upon all responsible leaders to
speak in the spirit of ahavat Yisrael, love of all
Jews, so that despite the issues on which we
differ, we remain united.
Rabbinical Council of America
305 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10001
RC71
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RnbbInicrit Counctl of Americo
Mandell I. Ganchrow,'M.D. - President
Rabbi Raphael B. Butler -Executive Vice President
Marcel Weber - Chairman, Board of Directors
Dr. Marcos Katz - Chairman, Board of Governors
Morry Weiss - Vice Chairman, Board of Directors
Jay L. Schottenstein - Vice Chairman, Board of Governors
Sol Teichman - Vice Chairman, Board of Governors
"/‘
‘
Rabbi Rafael G. Grossman - President
Rabbi Steven M. Dworken - Executive Vice President
Rabbi Jacob S. Rubenstein - First Vice President
Rabbi Kenneth Hain - Vice President
Rabbi Barry Freundel - Vice President
Rabbi Myron E. Rakowitz - Vice President
Rabbi Elazar R. Muskin - Vice President
In an endeavor to reduce tensions within the Jewish community, THE AVI CHAI FOUNDATION has, as a public service, provided
funding to enable you to read this message. AVI CHAI is a private foundation devoted to promoting Jewish commitment and encour-
aging mutual understanding and sensitivity among Jews of different religious backgrounds and levels of observance.