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But as part of his Shabbat morning
sermon, which is considered the center-
piece of the biennial, Rabbi Yoffie
called Islamic radicalism "the Nazism of
our day."
"Are the Palestinians suffering?" he
asked. "Yes, of course. And it pains us
deeply. But before we can respond to
their suffering, we must prevent suffer-
ing and bereavement in our own
homes.
Rabbi Yoffie reiterated his move-
ment's support for peace, negotiations
and a two-state solution with Jews and
Palestinians "sharing the Land of
Israel."
He did not mention Israeli settle-
ments in the West Bank and Gaza
Strip.
But he also called on Palestinian
Authority leader Yasser Arafat to recog-
nize that "you can have terrorism or a
state, but you cannot have both. And if
you choose a state, the only way to get
there is to stop the violence and begin
to negotiate."
In an interview, Rabbi David
Ellenson, president of the Reform
movement's Hebrew Union College-
Jewish Institute of Religion, said, "The
number of Reform Jews who no longer
believe Arafat is a trustworthy peace
partner has grown." However, he
noted, that is "different from saying
Reform Jews support settlements."
"Most Reform Jews think the settle-
ments are impediments to peace but
don't see them as the cause" of the
ongoing violence against Israel, he said.
The views of participants at the bien-
nial seemed to reflect those of Rabbis
Ellenson and Yoffie, although many
described their views as constantly
changing, with the situation too over-
whelming and confusing for them to
advocate any particular position.
Reform Jews are "very disturbed by
what's going on and don't see a way
out," said Arthur Obermayer, of
Temple Shalom of Newton in suburban
Boston.
"I don't think most people in the
Reform movement support Sharon's
approach, but it's the only game in
town," Obermayer said, referring to
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
Many participants said they still hope
for an eventual two-state solution, one
in which Israel evacuates most of its set-
tlements in the West Bank and Gaza.
"I certainly don't want to give up on
negotiations and the idea of a peace
process, but Israel has to do what it has
to do," said Madeline Dreifus of
Congregation B'nai Jeshurun in Short
Hills, N.J.
"When they ask for seven days of no
terrorism, I don't think that's asking too
much," Dreifus said, referring to
Sharon's timetable before any negotia-
tions can happen.
While the bad news from Israel was
discussed frequently at plenaries and in
the halls, the overall mood at the con-
ference was high.
People were elated that in the after-
math of the Sept. 11 attacks, which has
made many Americans reluctant to
travel, the biennial attracted 5,800 peo-
ple, its largest crowd ever.
Israel hardly crowded out other con-
cerns. When asked what issues they
wanted to explore at the biennial, par-
ticipants spoke of prayer, education and
synagogue management more than they
mentioned Israel. An Israel solidarity
rally Dec. 5 that was jointly sponsored
by the UAHC and local Jewish groups
drew a relatively small number of bien-
nial participants, although it took place
at Copley Square, just a few blocks
from the convention center where the
biennial was held.
In contrast, evening services that
occurred simultaneously in the hotel —
the first time the Reform biennial had
hosted weekday evening prayers —
drew several hundred people, far more
than organizers had anticipated.
It was an interesting moment for a
movement traditionally known more
for its rallies and social action than its
focus on spirituality and prayer.
Some have speculated that its intense
fight for religious pluralism in Israel in
the 1990s undermined rank-and-file
support for Israel, conveying the
impression to Reform Jews that they
were unwelcome in Israel.
Nonetheless, most people interviewed
at the biennial voiced strong support
for Israel, particularly at this time of
crisis.
But several, like Mitchell Feinberg of
Temple Beth Ahaba in Muskogee,
Okla., said they were hurt that Reform
conversions are not officially recognized
in the Jewish state.
Feinberg, whose mother had a
Reform conversion before he was born,
said he has been "pretty pro-Israel all
my life" and was pleased to hear a
strong endorsement of Israel" at the
biennial.
But he worries that the country he
defends does not recognize him as
Jewish.
"It's very insulting. You spend your
life as a Jew in the South defending
your religion only to have the State of
Israel turn around and say you're not
Jewish enough."