CHABAD DECLARES MODERN JUDAISM TO BE ‘NOT A RELIGION’

CHABAD DECLARES MODERN JUDAISM TO BE ‘NOT A RELIGION’

Chief Rabbi of Russia States the Faith of Majority of World Jews to be ‘Opposite to Torah’ and a ‘Club’; Reform/Progressive Rabbis Worldwide Seek Apology and Dialogue

World Union for Progressive Judaism Press Contact:
Jonathan Hirshon
408-969-4888
jh@horizonpr.com

Jerusalem, Moscow, London, New York, Sao Paolo, Melbourne – March 31, 2005 – In a coordinated response from Jewish leadership around the globe, the World Union for Progressive Judaism – representing the largest body of affiliated religious Jews – today condemned statements that strongly disturbed the world Jewish community. In an article authored by Rabbi Berl Lazar, the Chief Rabbi of Russia for Chabad-Lubavitch, it was stated unequivocally that Reform Judaism (also known as Progressive Judaism) is ‘not a religion’. Reform Judaism represents the faith of the majority of North American Jews.

Rabbi Lazar’s article was printed in the February ’05 issue of “L’Chayim,” the lead magazine of the Chabad-controlled Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia (FEOR). With a total circulation of 84,000 and a motto of ‘Connecting All Jews As They Are’, the magazine published an article by Rabbi Lazar which stated:

“Reform Judaism…personifies an approach…which is opposite to the approach of the Torah. Reform Judaism can’t be labeled as religion if we take religion seriously! Indeed, religion is trusting in God, reverential trust, understanding of the concept that all the human actions should follow the commandments of God. Reform Judaism treats the Torah as an anthology of laws created by man for his own convenience. God has no place. What Reform Judaism is are clubs to meet their interests and it seems odd to me that the directors of these clubs call themselves ‘Rabbis’.”

Quotes

Rabbi Uri Regev, Executive Director for the World Union for Progressive Judaism, noted: “It is regrettable that Chabad - which professes to ‘connect all Jews as they are’ - so easily returns to its old, hateful bashing of Reform Judaism. It is bad enough for a sectarian religious movement to lose sight of Klal Yisrael - but it is totally unacceptable when it comes from the leader of a movement that claims to be representative of all Russian Jewry. We hope that Rabbi Lazar will re-evaluate his partisan religious concepts and expect leading international and North American Jewish organizations to take note of his public views and draw the necessary conclusions. A movement guided by such views cannot be a partner to pluralistic, inclusive Jewish organizations such as the Presidents Conference of Major Jewish Organizations and the American Jewish Congress, who have been approached by Chabad in recent times. Reform Judaism does not need Rabbi Lazar to validate its Jewish authenticity - Rabbi Lazar needs to partner with Reform Judaism if his claim for wide representation is to be taken with any shred of credibility. The World Union for its part will continue to serve the wider Jewish community through the congregational, youth, and educational work of its constituents in 41 countries based on a commitment to tolerance, Jewish renewal and human dignity.”

Rabbi Eric Yoffie, President of the Union for Reform Judaism stated: “Rabbi Lazar cannot request American Jewish support for his work and profess to speak in the name of all Russian Jews while simultaneously proclaiming that Reform Judaism is not Judaism and Reform rabbis are not rabbis. He is speaking the language of a Chabad functionary and not of a Russian Jewish leader.”

Rabbi Janet Marder, President of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, had the following statement: “The words of Rabbi Lazar shamefully deride the spiritual commitment, scholarship and devotion to Torah that all Rabbis share through the different streams of Judaism. While we extend an open hand of camaraderie to our Chabad peers, we expect no less from them as we should be standing united in our vision of service to the Jewish people and devotion to Torah.”

The full text of Rabbi Lazar’s article (in translation) may be found at www.wupj.org. A response letter from Chabad, should one be forthcoming, will also be posted in its entirety at this location. In the event that Chabad leadership issues an announcement on this issue, the World Union will communicate the positive or negative developments to the world Jewish community. If there should prove to be no response by April 30, 2005, the World Union will assume Chabad has no intention of clarifying its position on this matter and will take the appropriate next steps.

WUPJ Information

The World Union for Progressive Judaism www.wupj.org was established in London in 1926 and serves congregations and communities in 41 countries, encompassing more than 1,200 Reform, Progressive, Liberal and Reconstructionist congregations and more than 1.5 million members, making it the largest body of religious Jews in the world. With international headquarters in Jerusalem and regional offices in London, Moscow, New York, Melbourne and Sao Paolo, WUPJ stands for pluralism, egalitarianism and social justice for all Jews