Federation Opposition Rooted In Peoplehood New York/JTA T he Jewish Federations of North America helped lead a wide- ranging coalition this summer to prevent proposed legisla- tion in Israel that would have proven highly detrimental to Jewish solidarity worldwide. The Jewish federations partnered with the Jewish Agency for Israel and religious and political leaders in Israel and the United States to advocate against a bill by Knesset member David Rotem of the Yisrael Beiteinu Party that would have radically altered the status quo in Israel relating to the Chief Rabbinate and the Law of Return when it comes to conversions. For the first time in Israel's history, the bill would have given the haredi Orthodox- controlled Rabbinate authority over all con- Jerry versions. It also would have required that all Silverman converts, including immigrants from North Special America, accept Halachah, or Jewish law. Commentary The Jewish federations and our partners maintain this would have been unacceptable to the large majority of Jews in North America and to most Jewish federation supporters. Not only would these changes have potentially affected the standing of non-Orthodox Jews in Israel, but such a law would have sent a larger, destructive message: that the Jewish state is home to only certain Jews and not all Jews. We were deeply surprised and disappointed by this development, especially after we applauded and supported Rotem's earlier proposed legislation on conversions in Israel. Rotem initially sought to give local rabbis in Israel authority over conversions, a process that would have made it easier for many Russian-born Israelis — constituents of his party — to convert to Judaism. We welcomed such efforts and thus were taken aback when the bill was changed, seemingly to appease certain political forces in Israel. Once the newer version of the bill was advanced, our coalition would have been remiss not to get involved in order to speak out on behalf of the vast majority of North American Jews. Ultimately, the controversy over the bill produced a number of posi- tive outcomes, including the creation of a wide-ranging partnership of the Jewish federations, the Jewish Agency, the Reform and Conservative movements, Orthodox voices and many Israeli political leaders. We applaud Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his coura- geous leadership on this issue and also thank the many other lead- ers who spoke out so eloquently, including President Shimon Peres, Defense Minister Ehud Barak of Labor and opposition leader Tzipi Livni of the Kadima Party. They and many other voices banded with us to seek a compromise that all sides could accept while preserving the unity and solidarity of the Jewish people worldwide. We advocated intensely and tirelessly, but always respectfully and never negatively. We remain committed to that approach. We are hopeful that all parties will seek to avoid negative and hurt- ful rhetoric and follow the prime minister's lead of building a table of dialogue around which we can all come together. Our goal remains to support positive efforts on all sides to nego- tiate an agreement, with legislation that benefits all of the Jewish people around the world. ❑ Jerry Silverman is president and CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America. POINT from page 30 the Jewish Federations of North America. How can its leaders justify spending funds raised for chari- table purposes on an ideological issue, particularly when it is so controversial? Moreover, when they have not significantly consult- ed the American Orthodox movements or their own Orthodox contributors, how can they purport to be representing the entire spectrum of American Jewry? Even critical strategic threats to the State of Israel have been ignored by opponents of the Rotem bill. A Reform Jewish leader was quoted in the Jewish Telegraphic Agency on July 26 as bemoaning the fact that the controversy has "even reached the U.S. Congress, causing dismay to all who love the Jewish state." The bill did not simply drift into the Capitol like a feather borne by a random breeze. The Rotem bill came to the attention of Congress because of the determined lobbying efforts of its opponents — the same people who now claim they are distressed by the damage to U.S.-Israeli relations. Yet despite the looming Iranian nuclear crisis endangering the very existence of the State of Israel, the bill's opponents jeopardized Israel's congressional support, placing their movement's narrow concerns above the security of the Jewish state. Finally, let us consider what would happen if efforts to change the status quo are successful. The results would be catastrophic for Jewish unity. Non-halachic conversions could throw into ques- tion the Jewish lineage and hence the Jewish creden- tials of non-Orthodox Jews. Orthodox Jews might be forced to maintain their own lineage lists and marry only within the Orthodox community. This nightmare scenario is not far-fetched. It has occurred several times in the course of Jewish history, when deviant Jewish sects — which, not coinciden- tally, have disappeared — strayed from traditional practices relating to conversion, marriage and divorce. All Jews are welcome in Israel: secular, Reform, Conservative and Orthodox. They are our brothers and sisters, and we will greet them with great joy. As citizens, they would then legitimately be entitled to struggle to enact their views into law. Until such time, however, they should stop oppos- ing the Rotem bill and allow it to pass in January. Their opposition already has caused great damage to tens of thousands of Russian Israelis who wish to join the Jewish people. ❑ Shlomo Moshe Amar is the Sephardic chief rabbi of Israel. COUNTERPOINT from page 30 is perilous to create schisms that will alienate our friends and split the Jewish people; and they should be prepared to take responsibility for their own actions. We are stunned by the suggestion that Israel's religious monopoly represents democratic prin- ciples. Such a system exists nowhere else in the democratic world. We appreciate Rabbi Amar's commitment to his understanding of Jewish tradi- tion; but we wonder why he lacks the confidence to give Israelis free choice in religious matters. The principle that should guide us is that the Jewish state should support all religious streams equally or none at all. We have very different ideas on how to assure Jewish unity. Israel's Supreme Court ruled in 1986 that Reform and Conservative conversions must be recognized for the purposes of obtaining Israeli citizenship. The decision noted that Israel was not founded "in order to drive a wedge into the people who dwell in Zion, and divide it into two peoples, Jews and Israelis:' When the Jewish state takes an inclusive approach to the Jewish people, unity will become possible. At this most sacred season, let us set aside the ugliness that too often invades our hearts and let us affirm the ties that bind us, Jew to Jew. ❑ Rabbi Eric Yoffie is president of the Union for Reform Judaism. Rabbi Steven Wernick is executive vice presi- dent and CEO of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Stretching from page 29 Israeli soldiers set foot on the Mavi Marmara, how- ever, they were assaulted with clubs, axes and metal rods. Only after these marines were beaten uncon- scious, shot with their own weapons and thrown overboard did the Israelis who followed begin to defend themselves with firearms. The Mavi Marmara was anything but a ship full of peaceful activists wanting only to supply their brethren in Gaza with aid. It was the platform of a premeditated assault against Israeli soldiers, carried out by self-confessed extremists. But why didn't the media cover any of this? Our generation is fortunate to reap the benefits of lightning-fast communication and interna- tional media. We are able to learn about — almost instantaneously — the devastation that an earth- quake inflicts on Haiti, the impact of a presidential election in Australia or the inspiring play at a World Cup match in South Africa. But with the privilege of reporting comes an extraordinary responsibil- ity, because even more influential than the truth is what people perceive the truth to be. ❑ Michael Brodsky is a third-year history student at Washington University in St Louis. He is spending this academic year in the United Kingdom, studying at Keble College, Oxford University. Michael is managing editor of the Washington University Political Review, where this piece was first published. He was born and raised in West Bloomfield. September 30 • 2010 31