Rabbi Uri Regev:
Jahrestagung der Union progressiver Juden
Im Juli kamen mehr als 200 Teilnehmende aus dem
deutschsprachigen Raum um erstmals in Berlin-Spandau an der Jahrestagung der
Union progressiver Gemeinden teilzunehmen. Neben Mitgliedern der Unionsgemeinden
sowie ihnen nahestehender Gruppen ("jung und jüdisch") und Studierenden des
Abraham-Geiger-Kollegs, waren auch zahlreiche Gäste aus dem Ausland gekommen. In
einer Sonderausgabe, die mit dem nachfolgenden Brief von Rabbi Regev eröffnet,
berichtete die World Union for Progressive Judaism über die Jahrestagung...
"Dear Friends,
We have just returned from a World Union
Leadership Mission to Germany commemorating the 75th anniversary of the
first international convention that was held in Berlin in 1928. I am
sure you will find the detailed report prepared by Rabbi Joel Oseran (below)
to be of interest.
This was an exciting experience for all
participants. Its importance did not lie in the emotional impact or
the realization of the political and organizational objectives - which
exceeded all of our expectations; rather, it served as a clear example of
the role the World Union can and must fill through active involvement in
areas and countries in which our movement still does not receive
recognition, equal opportunity or support. It was only a year ago that
our congregations in Germany encountered harsh and insulting statements from
members of the Jewish establishment, on the one hand, and problematic
treatment from German authorities, on the other. Our action, together
with the World Union's unequivocal support of the movement there, was both
rational and effective, and has begun to generate impressive results.
We have not yet reached the end of the
process, and we will need to closely monitor the situation and continue to
be actively involved. However, it is clear that the momentum has
shifted in our favor. For me, the experience has served as both a test
and pilot for broadening our international activity.
We recently received reports of the problems
our congregations are encountering in other countries in Europe, in
Argentina, etc. During the meetings of the European Region in Berlin
last week, six new congregations were accepted into the fold. The
representative from Florence, Italy, informed us that Reform marriages are
not recognized in Italy since civil law requires recognition by the Orthodox
Rabbinate. These issues will be on our agenda and will be integrated
into our preparations to increase the World Union's activity in the
international advocacy arena.
Finally, the success of the Leadership
Mission to Germany, and the organization of this important and
exciting public evening event, would not have been possible without the hard
work of the following individuals: Shmuel Bahagon, Executive Director
of the Union of Progressive Jews of Germany, who worked tirelessly to
organize the anniversary event - without him it would not have taken place;
World Union Associate Director Rabbi Joel Oseran, who was responsible for
the coordination of the mission and for developing the spiritual and
conceptual perspective of the event; Lesley Sachs, World Union Associate
Director in Jerusalem, who edited the commemorative booklet highlighting the
festive occasion; and our office staff in Jerusalem - Evaline Soussan and
Debbie Pulik - for their hard work. Thank you all.
Rabbi Uri Regev Executive
Director, World Union for Progressive Judaism"
IW /
hagalil.com / 05-08-2003
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