Below is a letter to Prime Minister Natanyahu signed by the Executive Director of the Union of Reform Judaism and the Executive Vice President of the Rabbinical Assembly (Conservative). The letter has joint support of other international organizations.
July 11, 2010
29 Tamuz 5770
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
3 Kaplan St. Hakirya
Jerusalem 91950
Israel
Dear Prime Minister Netanyahu:
We were dismayed to learn this afternoon of the decision by MK David Rotem to put forward a version of the Conversion Law to be presented to the Law, Constitution and Justice Committee tomorrow morning. MK Rotem's actions are contrary to the assurances we received in meetings with him and with others over the last several months. We write on behalf of the many Diaspora organizations listed below
We have been involved in regular and constructive conversations with various ministers and members of Knesset on this issue. Working together with the many Diaspora organizations and with representatives of the Jewish Federations of North America, we were encouraged by your request to Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky to resolve this matter by finding a formula acceptable to all parties.
For this reason, we are deeply disappointed to hear that the bill will now be presented in a new and even more problematic format. These new developments have transpired without any input from Mr. Sharansky or Diaspora communities. All of the discussions, understandings and efforts in which we have been engaged appear to have disappeared overnight.
From the very beginning, Reform and Conservative leaders in Israel and the Diaspora have shared our concerns on the impact of this bill on the conversion process. Those portions of the bill that give responsibility for the process of conversion to the Chief Rabbinate constitute a dramatic change in the status quo, are an affront to millions of Jews in Israel and the Diaspora, and are dangerous on every level to the principles of Klal Yisrael.
In addition, we strongly oppose those portions of the bill that would preclude conferring Citizenship Status on anyone who did not qualify for such status on a prior visit. This provision is not in keeping with the spirit and letter of a law meant to encourage the growth of our community and welcoming with open arms those that wish to join and support our people and our land. The concerns noted above are shared by a powerful majority of Jews world-wide. We know that you are aware of the sensitivities that exist on this matter and that you appreciate the significant damage that passage of such a bill could cause to ties between Israel and Diaspora Jewry, at precisely the time when we are all working so hard to strengthen these ties and to deal with other concerns – such as Israel's security and the nuclear threat from Iran – that properly require our full attention. We ask for your assistance in delaying any consideration of this bill and in resolving this issue in a way that is acceptable to all of the religious streams.
The time for action is now and we call on you to act decisively to prevent the introduction of this bill.
Sincerely,
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Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie | Rabbi Julie Schonfeld |
We are joined in this request by the following organizations:
| Central Conference of American Rabbis | Rabbinical Assembly |
| Union for Reform Judaism | United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism |
| Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism | Masorti Israel |
| World Union for Progressive Judaism | Masorti Olami |
| ARZA (Association of Reform Zionists of America) | Mercaz USA |
| Arzeinu | Mercaz Olam |
| ARZA Canada | Masorti Foundation |