The Canadian.Jewish News, Thursday; November 10, 1988-Page 39
nizations
Unification m not be possible
By
CAROLYN BLACKMAN
TORONTO -
Although unification between Reform. Conservative and Orthodox Jews niay never be possible, inutual respect must be stressed among all Jews, says Michael Stroh; spiritual leader of. the Reform Temple Har Zion. "We all have differences of consciousness and faith but we .should be able totalk on the basis of mutual respect, dignity and sincerity for the other party," he says. , . . '.
Stroh participated in a ;recent dialogue between representatives of the Reform, Conservative and Orthodox movements held at Temple Har Zion. Other speakers were Lawrence Troster, spiritual leader of Shaareh Haim, a Conservative synagogue in Richmond Hill and Eliot Feldman, rabbi of Kehillat Shaarei Torah, an Orthodox synagogue.
Stroh said that.as a Reform rabbi,,he does.not expect or seek Orthodox
recognition of his views.
Is il'possible however, for all three movements to come together without sacrifice of principles and make the moyes necessary to prevent the Jews from becoming two peoples?"' he asked..
He ^sai(J that among the primary issues that cause differences of opinion are that of conversion and Jew-Jsh divorce. *'We do not all recognize each pther'.s conversions'" and there are people who "are Jewish to some and not to others. Js there a way to recognize these conversions and subsequent marriages without sacrificing principles?""
Stroh suggested that it could be possible if a beih din (rabbinical court) were to be set up with representatives from all three inove-menis. "They would supervise all conversions and divorces and we would all accept each other for the siike of unity." ..
Troster .said that"we don't always have to agree but we must respect each other. We must work for
the good of all Jews." In order to ensure unit v of all Jews "we will all have to give up our ideological superiority," he added.
" Troster said that there is a lack of communication between denominational groups. "We must at least talk about issues such as divorce and conversion. A national beth djn may be a good approach."
Feldman said that ■ 'tonight's discussion is not an interfaith dialogue. We are all Jews.""
He agreed tliiat all Jews should always talk to each other but said that "we will , not see the belhdin. In order lohave a beth din all people have to have the same principles/That is where it will break down."'
Stroh repeated that he does not expect Orthodox recognition because the > differences are too great " but I do expect and seek recognition in the State of Israel. Israel is a democracy and h should not be their business to make decisions about religion."
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Troster agreed that "there must be separation ot-religion and state in Israel. The only way to ensure religious liberty is not to have a chief rabbinate."
When asked who has the right to interpret the.law. Stroh and Troster said that there is no one authority in Jewish life. "It is not a question of finding one authority It is a question of re.specting others even if you don't agree with them. Halacha iriay be divinely inspired but is humanly applied," said Troster.
Feldman said that as a teacher (at Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto), "it is rhy job to represent the Torah as best I can. When we talk about the Torah we talk about two things; the fact that Godis one and that the oral and written law is revealed from God. I am asked to guide my life by that book."
— In response to the rabbis' . talk. Morden Shapiro, a representative of the Re-fonn movement said "1 feel a great deal of coniiiioness "■with Rabbi Feldman because I am a Jew. I am conir niitted to Torah. God and, the Jewish people. . He.said however, that he ■ tlnds it difficult to reconcile theconccpt of whether one of u.s is or is nilt a Jew."
An irate man in the audience agreed with Shapiro saying ' 'by what right does anyone tell I1^e who is a Jew. 1 lived through the Holocaust at a tinie when we were all Jews."
Ellen Katz, a Conservative Jew said that the strength of Conservative Judaism is that "we recognize different responses to Judaism within our own movement. We mu.st recognize each person's dignity and tolerate everyone." Ronald Clinton said that
'.'we ail came here simply Halacha." as Jews. Our differences are Stroh said that' 'although
mainly in the acceptance of our differences canriot be.
Halacha. As Orthodox . resolved this, evening we
Jews, we are taught that we must stress klal Israel, uni-
cannot tamper with ly of the Jewish people.
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