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June 8, 2001/Sivan 17, 5761, Vol. 53, No.36
Reform movement cancels Israel trips
JULIE WIENER
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
NEW YORK - In a move that some are criticizing as a blow to American Jewish efforts to show solidarity with Israel, the Reform movement has canceled all its teen programs to Israel this summer.
The Union of American Hebrew Congregations' decision was announced Saturday night, a day after a suicide bomber killed 20 young Israelis outside a Tel Aviv nightclub.
While the bombing was a factor, the decision stemmed from various security fears and followed weeks of what the group described as "painful soul searching."
In a speech to his board of trustees, the UAHC's president, Rabbi Eric Yoffie, said the movement's "religious and Zionist commitments run deep, but this movement never uses other people's children to make a political or ideological point."
The UAHC - which sent 1,500 high school students to Israel last summer - is the largest group to cancel teen trips to Israel so far and many expect its decision will influence other groups and individuals that were uncertain whether or not to go to Israel.
It also puts other programs that are continuing with their trips on the defensive from worried parents.
The UAHC's decision comes amid massive declines in tourism and teen trip registration since the outbreak of violence last fall.
The UAHC's enrollment for this year was only 20 percent of last year's. In addition, numerous community-based trips to Israel have been canceled in recent months.
However, so far no other major, national Jewish programs have followed the group.
The steering committee of Birthright Israel, which offers free 10-day trips to young Jews, met Sunday and decided to continue its trips - although one provider, Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, tentatively postponed until next week participation of approximately 120 New York-area students who had been scheduled to depart early this week.
The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism voted unanimously Sunday to continue its youth trips to Israel. Also, Young Judaea, a Zionist youth group under the auspices of Hadassah, and the Orthodox Union's National Conference of Synagogue Youth said it will continue its programs.
"We believe that it's important to offer the option," said Rabbi Jerome Epstein, executive vice president of the United Synagogue. His group's United Synagogue Youth expects to send 350 teens to Israel this summer, down from last year's 600.
While parents "have the right to make the decision not to send their children," said Epstein, "a number of our constituents have said they believe it's still appropriate to go and have confidence in Israelis being able to provide for the security."
Rabbi Dovid Kaminetsky, national director of the Orthodox Union's National Conference of Synagogue Youth, echoed Epstein.
"I understand why any individual would drop out, but I believe as an organization it's important for us to stay with our plans.
"There are families who feel there's a message implied or given to" youngsters by saying "we're behind Israel and want you to go because canceling is giving in," he said.
NCSY sent 625 teens to Israel last year, and has approximately one-third that number registered for this summer. However, most participants have not yet paid, so may still cancel, Kaminetsky said.
Although reluctant to directly criticize the UAHC, leaders of other groups appeared to bristle somewhat at the implication that their decision to continue was politically motivated.
"We feel we can provide a quality educational experience and do it safely. Not because we're trying to make a political statement, but because this is what we do," said Joseph Bremen, president of the Alexander Muss High School in Israel.
Bremen is also chair of the North American Alliance for Jewish Youth, an umbrella organization for youth groups, camps and Israel trip providers.
The groups sticking with their programs said the UAHC's decision will affect them.
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