Rabbis issue a ‘Statement of Jewish Beliefs’ 

A grassroots coalition of rabbis, with Wisconsin signatories, has issued “A Statement of Jewish Beliefs,” in response to current events. 

“What began in February as privately expressed concerns within the confines of a group of Washington, DC, area rabbis who meet weekly, the effort is now growing as more than 500 individual rabbis and cantors from across the country have signed a statement outlining a core set of beliefs, grounded in biblical and rabbinic texts, that they believe are missing in the current domestic political situation,” said Rabbi Fred Reiner, a founder of the original group, in a recent news release. 

Wisconsin signatories include Rabbi Dena Feingold, who encouraged the Chronicle to publicize the statement, plus rabbis Mark Berkson, Irvin Ehrlich, and Bonnie Margulis. 

The full text of the statement is as follows: 

A Statement of Jewish Beliefs 

In this time of swirling events and governmental chaos, it is important to remind ourselves of our core beliefs as American Jews.  These are some of the values we hold dear and which guide our lives and our actions. 

1. We believe that all people are the children of God, endowed with holiness, all equal in value. (Gen. 1:27) 

2. We believe in welcoming the stranger, the alien in our midst, the one who lives with us. (Lev. 19:33)  We are commanded to love the stranger as ourselves.  We are a people of repeated migrations, descended from strangers in Egypt. 

3. We believe in honesty, commanded not to bear false witness (Ex. 20:13, Lev. 19:11) 

4. We believe in listening respectfully, valuing the ideas of those who disagree, and seeking peace. (Avot 1:12, 1:18) 

5. We believe in fairness in business and all transactions: not engaging in fraud, paying workers promptly, honestly representing what is offered. (Lev.19:13; 19:35-6) 

6. We believe in respect for others, especially for the strangers among us, for elders and those less fortunate, and all who struggle. We are commanded not to take advantage of the weakness of others, not to place a stumbling block before the blind. (Lev. 19:32; 19:14) We feel it is important to engage in acts of kindness and believe that we are in relationship with all people and should behave with compassion and empathy. (Avot 1:2) 

7. We call what we give to others tzedakah, giving based on justice. We believe in the importance of compassion, but what we give to others in need is based on seeking justice in society. 

8. We believe in knowledge and the exchange of ideas, including minority viewpoints. We value learning and the advancement of knowledge, in science, in literature, sacred and secular. (Avot 1:16) 

9. We believe in respecting and caring for our world, for tending the land and acting as dedicated stewards. (Gen 1:29-30 and Lev. 19:23 ff.)  

 We cherish the religious freedom in the United States and celebrate the diversity of beliefs and practices in our country. We deeply value the American Constitutional guarantees separating religion and state that have made possible the flourishing of all religions in our country.  

* * *

For more information about the statement, including how to sign, contact Rabbi Robert Levy at cyclelevy@gmail.com.