Statement for the Deputies & Bishops of the 79th General Convention 

of the Episcopal Church      July, 2018

We are a group of more than 50 rabbis, cantors, and rabbinical students, and we speak on behalf of a large and growing movement of Jews that numbers in the hundreds of thousands that seeks an equitable and lasting peace for for Palestinians, for Israeli Jews and for all the peoples in the land.  We do so from a place of love and in line with Jewish values.

As rabbis, we are excited to see the Episcopal Church consider multiple resolutions at its General Convention 2018 that promote justice, peace, and human rights in Israel / Palestine.  We understand that the Church may consider resolutions about the dire circumstances afflicting the people in Gaza, the injustices of the military occupation, and advocating for free speech by opposing legislation aimed at stifling the popular movement to apply economic pressure to end the occupation. In addition, we are especially pleased about the several resolutions that seek to establish means of investment by the Church to assure that it has no complicity in abetting the injustices in the region. 
We are proud to support these resolutions, which recognize the preciousness of human life and human rights.  We see this call to human rights advocacy reflected in the Jewish teaching that all people are created in the image of God, and that we are commanded to love our neighbor, and the stranger, as we love ourselves.  We have seen with our own eyes the brutality of occupation, the daily violations of Palestinians’ most basic human rights, and the violence that accrues to all people in the region. We believe in the inherent dignity of both Israelis and Palestinians.

Some will try to paint this issue as one of whether or not you support the Jewish community, and therefore Israeli policy, but this argument unfairly flattens Jewish identity and community. There are many different opinions among Jews about the best solutions to the conflict. This is a critical debate within the Jewish community, but a growing movement of US and international Jews see non-violent economic pressure on the state of Israel as an important instrument of justice. As Rabbis, we see the safety and freedom of the Jewish people as inseparable from that of Palestinians, immigrants, incarcerated people, and all who are impacted by violence. There is absolutely nothing antisemitic about supporting these positions. 

The essence of the Jewish religious tradition is to act for justice and the Episcopal Church would align with the best of our Jewish teachings in acting on its ethical and social obligations to do business in a way that makes this world more peaceful and just. Our prayer is that the movement won’t stop here, but that other churches will join the Episcopal Church in using their economic power and moral and religious authority to stand for all human rights.

Signed,

The Jewish Voice for Peace Rabbinical Council