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A Compendium of Hadassah's Zionist and American Affairs

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A Compendium of Hadassah's Zionist and American Affairs A COMPENDIUM OF HADASSAH’S ZIONIST AND AMERICAN AFFAIRS POLICY STATEMENTS: 1980-2021 HADASSAH THE WOMEN’S ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA, INC. ©2021 Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. Hadassah, the H logo, and Hadassah the Power of Women Who Do are registered trademarks of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. INTRODUCTION This “Compendium of Zionist & American Affairs Policy Statements: 1980-2021” is a synopsis of Hadassah’s Zionist and domestic policy positions, which have been approved by Hadassah’s National Board since 1980. The full text of these, and of all Hadassah’s domestic public policy statements, are on file with the National Advocacy Team in the Education and Advocacy Division and available for Hadassah Leaders within the resource files on myHadassah. Hadassah’s policy statements represent the organization’s official stance on a wide variety issues facing our nation. They also serve to define and focus Hadassah’s overall advocacy priorities and agenda. In particular, these policy statements inform the work of the National Advocacy Team across the country. Policy statements do not reflect all of Hadassah’s advocacy efforts, however. There are some issues so intrinsic to the well-being or existence of Hadassah or its functions that action may occur without a specific policy statement. HOW THIS COMPENDIUM IS ORGANIZED This compendium groups the statements into subject categories (in chronological order), to maximize user-friendliness and help readers understanding Hadassah’s historical rationale for subsequent policy statements. The categories have been created to incorporate all of the policy statements, not to constrict or direct future policy statement topics. While the attempt to categorize the statements was done in the most logical manner possible, the groupings are subjective, and some statements are cross-listed in multiple categories. The general categories mentioned below are simply arranged alphabetically, and thus do not serve as a comprehensive reflection of Hadassah’s domestic issues advocacy priorities. ZIONIST AFFAIRS AMERICAN AFFAIRS • Aliyah • Civic Participation • Isr ael and the • Crime , Weapons, Middle East and War • Jerusalem • Energy and the • Religious Pluralism Environment • Terrorism • Health Care • United Nations • Immigration and • W orld Jewish Refugee Status Concerns and Human • R eligious Liberty Rights and Other Religious • Zionism Concerns • R eproductive Choice • Separation of Church and State • Social Justice and Civil Rights • Women and Family • Other 2|29 A COMPENDIUM OF HADASSAH’S ZIONIST AND AMERICAN AFFAIRS POLICY STATEMENTS: 1980-2021 TERMS AND EXPLANATIONS The term “reaffirms” is used frequently throughout this document. This term explains that the current policy statement repeats and/or strengthens a prior policy statement. Although the language may not be identical in the relevant policy statements, the sentiment is reflective of previous statements. It is also important to note that, for the sake of historical accuracy, we have preserved the original titles of policy statements even if the title does not fully capture the sentiment of the policy statement. Further, the same or similar policy statements adopted in multiple years may have different titles (e.g. 1981 statement is entitled “Protection of Jewish Rights,” while the following year’s is entitled “Oppressed Jewish Communities”). By keeping the exact titles, not only does it trace a progression in our understanding of certain issues, it also allows for easier and common reference to the earlier documents. ZIONIST AFFAIRS Aliyah Hadassah recognizes aliyah as the “highest form of Zionist commitment” and supports personal fulfillment. Below are synopses for each of Hadassah’s Aliyah Policy Statements. 1998 Ethiopian Education 1996 Religious Pluralism Hadassah’s National Aliyah efforts. Pledges service to in Israel and the Unity of the Department and its Winter the Ethiopian community in Reaffirms prior Ethiopian Jewish People in Netanya projects. Israel through Hadassah’s Jewry statement. Notes the Reaffirms prior Law of health and educational need to effectively address Return policy statement. 1991 Aliyah facilities and special the educational absorption Affirms commitment to Reaffirms prior aliyah policy funding for youth. of Ethiopian youth, the principle of religious statements. including an alarming pluralism. Opposes any 1990 Aliyah increase in the number new legislation to redefine 1991 Absorption Reaffirms prior aliyah of teenage dropouts and religious conversions in a Loan Guarantees policy statements. a growing incidence of way which would alienate Urges the United States crime among Ethiopian major segments of the Government to assist 1989 Aliyah immigrant youth. Urges Jewish people from their Israel financially in the Reaffirms prior aliyah the government of Israel connection to Israel. absorption of Soviet and statements. Encourages and the Jewish Agency to Ethiopian Jews through local communities to allocate increased resources 1994 Aliyah loan guarantees, which increase funding for long- to provide maximum Reaffirms prior aliyah will enable Israel to term Israel programs for educational opportunities statements. Expresses obtain commercial loans youth. Urges the Israeli to Ethiopian youth in Israel. pride in Hadassah’s Winter at advantageous terms. government to place higher in Netanya and Spring in Applauds those in Israel priority on absorption of, 1997 Religious Pluralism Netanya projects. who have welcomed new and assistance for, new in Israel immigrants with generosity. olim, including providing Reaffirms prior Religious 1993 Aliyah affordable housing. Pluralism and the Unity of Reaffirms prior aliyah policy 1991 Ethiopian the Jewish People policy statement. Jewish Aliyah 1989 Resettlement statement. Calls on the Congratulates the of Soviet Jews people of Israel to reject all 1992 Absorption Israeli government on Welcomes the improvement efforts to impose restrictive Loan Guarantees the rescue of Ethiopian of conditions for Jews definitions of religious Reaffirms prior Absorption Jews through Operation in the Soviet Union and conversions. Expresses Loan Guarantees policy Solomon. Expresses in significant Jewish concern that religious and statement. Opposes the gratitude to the United emigration from the USSR. social freedoms implicit linkage of loan guarantees States government, and Urges the implementation of in Israel’s Declaration of to any issue unrelated to especially to President Bush new emigration procedures Independence and its Basic immigration absorption. and Senator Boschwitz that will encourage Soviet Laws are being endangered for their assistance. Jews to make aliyah but also by new conversion Commends the Joint preserve the principle of legislation. 1992 Aliyah Distribution Committee, the free choice in immigration. Reaffirms prior aliyah policy Jewish Agency and other Calls upon world Jewry to statements. Salutes organizations for their provide financial support and urges that the Jewish 3|29 A COMPENDIUM OF HADASSAH’S ZIONIST AND AMERICAN AFFAIRS POLICY STATEMENTS: 1980-2021 ZIONIST AFFAIRS Agency for Israel be the Helsinki Accords and other after their conversion to Potential Olim” program. major recipient of communal international agreements Judaism. Calls on Israeli Commends the aliyah funds raised for the regarding the Right to government to have this work of Hadassah’s youth resettlement of Soviet Jews. Leave. Calls upon the Soviet ruling rescinded. movement, Hamagshamim. Government to permit Jews 1988 Aliyah in the Soviet Union freedom 1986 Aliyah 1981 Aliyah Reaffirms prior aliyah policy of religion, culture and Reaffirms prior aliyah policy Recognizes aliyah as the statements. language. statements. Supports work “highest form of Zionist of the North American commitment and actively 1988 Soviet Jewry: New 1987 Aliyah Aliyah Movement (NAAM). encourages and supports Emigration Procedures Reaffirms prior aliyah that act of personal Endorses the resolution policy statements. 1984-85 Aliyah fulfillment.” Asks Hadassah adopted by the Jewish Reaffirms prior aliyah groups, chapters and Agency Assembly 1986 Law Of Return policy statements. regions to create and welcoming Israel’s decision Reaffirms opposition to any participate in programs to secure direct flights alteration of Israel’s Law of 1983 Aliyah that promote aliyah, and from the Soviet Union to Return, which states that Reaffirms prior aliyah to support those who have Israel for those who request any Jew can come home to statements. Welcomes made aliyah. Commends an exit permit from the Israel. Notes that action to the Jewish Agency’s the work of the Association Soviet Union to Israel. The amend the law threatens to efforts in encouraging of Americans and Jewish Agency resolution weaken the sense of Jewish Diaspora communities Canadians in Israel (AACI) also states commitment to solidarity. to take a greater role in and encourages Hadassah enhance the capacity of promoting aliyah. members to become Israel to receive and resettle 1986 Identity Cards “overseas” members and Soviet Jews and all olim Opposes new procedure 1982 Aliyah give financial support to the in Israel. Calls upon other ordered by Israel’s Minister Reaffirms prior aliyah policy organization. Calls on the governments to urge the of Interior to stamp the statement. Encourages World Zionist Organization Soviet Union to adhere word “converted” onto participation in the and the Israel Ministry of to its commitment
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