The Reform Movement in the United States is one of the most liberal religious denominations in America. It is also the largest denomination of Judaism in the United States. Members of the Reform movement voted for U.S. President Barack Obama in overwhelming numbers – both times.
And so the announcement on Wednesday, Aug. 19, that the Reform movement will not take a position in favor, or opposed, to the Nuclear Iran Deal is momentous.
The statement, released by the leaders of the Union for Reform Judaism, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, and ARZA (Reform Israel Fund), reveals a painstaking review of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
The statement referred to the debate over the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action as a “makhloket l’shem shamayim,” a “debate for the sake of heaven.”
The overall position the movement took is reflected in the following statement: “The JCPOA does present a way forward, there are real dangers to rejecting it, and it does not foreclose Iran’s ability to become a nuclear weapons threshold state.” A more refined version, but not entirely different in meaning, from Cong. Brad Sherman’s (D-CA) assessment of the deal as “the good, the bad and the ugly.”
It revealed a fear not only of an Iran with nuclear weapons and of an Iran with a too-largely unfettered ability to foment and support terrorism, but also deep alarm over the fraying of the U.S.-Israel relationship and of America’s standing in the world.
The Reform movement made clear that while there was neither unanimity of opinion regarding the Nuclear Iran Deal amongst the movement’s leadership or the movement’s general membership, they were all united on the following concerns:”First, how is it possible to address our concerns about the JCPOA? Second, if the agreement is finalized, what happens the day after? Specifically, how can we work to support the strongest possible U.S.-Israel relationship going forward?”
The numerous meetings held with military leaders, political leaders and nuclear experts revealed to the statement’s drafters that their concerns can be categorized as: deterrence, Iran’s support of terror, inspections, human rights and religious freedom, and the standing of the U.S. in the world.
Based on those concerns, the Reform movement made a number of recommendations it hopes this Administration will implement, including pledging never to take any options off the table that could prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, whether at the onset of any Agreement, or at the conclusion of any Agreement, and to provide Israel with the necessary means to deter Iran and to defend itself.
Although vaguely defined, the Reform movement also recommended that the U.S. take a lead role in a broader international effort to eliminate Iran’s ability to support international terrorism.
It also believes that additional protections are necessary than the currently designed “snapback” protocol provided in the JCPOA.
And, the Reform movement avers, the U.S. must do more to encourage and push international pressure on Iran to “expand human rights, religious freedom and the development of democratic structures.”
Regardless of whether the Nuclear Iran deal passes or it does not, the Reform movement very much wants the rhetoric between those in favor and those opposed to the Agreement to be “tamped down.”
“Calling those who oppose the deal ‘war mongers’ shuts shown constructive debate; calling those who support the deal ‘enablers of a second Holocaust’ ends thoughtful discourse,” the statement admonishes.
The statement was signed by Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President, and Steve Sacks, Chair of the Board of the Union for Reform Judaism; Rabbi Denise L. Eger, President, and Rabbi Steve Fox, CEO, Central Conference of American Rabbis; Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and Jennifer Kaufman, Chair, Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism; and Rabbi Joshua Weinberg, President, and Rabbi Bennett Miller, Chair, Association of Reform Zionists of America.
Well at least the leadership didn’t support the #baddeal so there’s hope for a #betterdeal. #nobombforiran
They are finally using their sechel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1mpUP2Xlp8 Excellent sermon by Reform Rabbi at Stephen Wise Synogogue against the Iran deal.
So sad. The reform movement is lost and in a free fall. There are no principles. There is no leadership. Everything is some sort of net weighted average to patch things over.
Oy. They did not know what to do… so they did nothing. They did not even take Yogi Berra's fork in the road. Oy Oy Oy.
Please tell me why the headline reads, "Reform Movement Won’t Back Nuclear Iran Deal" instead of "Reform Movement Won’t OPPOSE Nuclear Iran Deal"?
The Reform wants to encourage debate among the proponents and detractors of the deal and tone down the rhetoric and name calling. They said the same thing during the Shoa. Only the Orthodox protested FDR and the Democrats.
I am truly disappointed that URJ has chosen to abstain. Is the leadership going to change their collective minds only after a mushroom cloud is hanging over Tel Aviv?
Behind these "wimpy" statements, 340 erstwhile rabbis, prefer to support the Muslim president in his anti-Israel, anti-american iranian "deal". The overwhelming majority of the 340 are REFORM rabbis.
And now Russia will sell Iskander missiles to Saudi Arabia. It has already signed 6 nuclear contracts. The whole Middle East is becoming nuclear.
They would have no clue about your humor!
good then stop that deal
This deal has become a horrible joke. Obama secret side deal: Trust and Iran will verify! Obama secret side deal: IRAN CAN INSPECT its OWN NUCLEAR WEAPONS SUSPECTED SITE! COME ON! See here
http://strongandresolute.blogspot.com/2015/08/iran-deal-has-become-horrible-joke-any.html
1. Fatal flaws of deal/Obama’s
2. 16 lies Obama says to sell deal
3. Obama’s timeline of deception about empowering Iran’s nuclear ambition
4. Any one of these objections should cause any reasonable member of Congress to vote against this deal. If they vote FOR this deal, it is because they are AFRAID of Obama. Congressional Dems: DO NOT SIGN THIS IRAN DEAL! Will you be remembered by history as cowardly and dishonorable?
Disgusting.
DAVID HURWITZ (below) sums it up… End of story. …But I'll keep commenting so that after Tel Aviv dissappears —– MAYBE A SMALLER, WEAKER Jewish Community will stand up as we (the US Jerws) will be "The Last Man Standing" for how long ? P.S. At that time – what do we do with J STREET ?
My parents joined Reform Temple Isreal in Detroit, Mi about 1945 or 46. Rabbi Fromm ? ruled. The Rabbi came over one day and remarked that anyone who owned a beautifull Persian rug like he saw in our new home could easily UP their donation to his latest drive for more money to pay for his new proposed Temple. My Dad, a great and powerfull Republican (in a sea of Democrats in Detroit) laughed it off as business as usual. The Rabbi also laughed. I never saw him again except at Temple Israel in Detroit. In my teens at the time the last thing I wanted to do was to have a conversation with the Rabbi….altho having just been introduced to a formal Jewish education (Jewish Sunday School etc) I was just beginning to be proud of bieng Jewish. I have thought of what Rabbi Fromm would have answered to the Leaders of todays Reform movement. I think he would be ashamed. I no longer hang out with the Reform movement and haven't for about 70 years.
Martin Ingall humor?
share with facebook.com/ I am pleased that the Reform movement sees the present Iran deal as it is at present. Opponents are not warmongers. Those in favor must want this
agreement to be modified and the point is that the U.S. and the other Western powers should demonstrate strenght and not be cowed. Why is the U.S. a major nation that sees itself as telling other nations what to do? My students asked me this question several years ago. The answer is as what we are experiencing today. Calling opponents "warmongers" just is not fair or correct and I believe these insults-if we do not agree with the presidents-can only encourage the antiSemites who do exist.
Lois Wasserman,Ph.D.
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