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Reflections on participation in European Union Seminars
Reflections on participation
in European Union seminars The late Lord Jakobovits often propounded the idea that the Rabbinate in former times had power. In the current era of secularisation, power has ebbed away from Rabbis. They do, however, still retain something that is almost equally as important, influence. In seeking to maximise its influence on behalf of Judaism and the Jewish community, each country’s leading Rabbinate will typically seek to become involved in creating appropriate contacts with the political leadership in its home country – to a greater or a lesser extent. The creation of the European Union and the continued accelerated growth of its attendant institutions have brought about a new situation which represents both a challenge and an opportunity. For no longer can the spiritual leadership of a country rely upon participation at a leading level with the government of the day, and with the political establishment in its local country. If, for example, the Jewish community in an individual European country faces a challenge to a practice vital to Jewish life, such as Shechita, the distinct possibility is that the problem has not originated locally, nor therefore can it be dealt with locally in that country. The increasing likelihood is that the problem has been raised on a pan-European level, through one or more of the instruments of European government, such as those in Brussels or Strasbourg. The Jewish community in Europe is traditionally organised into communities limited to the borders of a particular country. How, then, is it to respond to the new European reality? It is here that the Conference of European Rabbis is uniquely positioned to meet this challenge. Founded in 1957, by the two Chief Rabbis of United Kingdom and Holland, the CER has slowly developed into the representative organisation for spiritual leadership of the Jewish community of Europe. It is the place where the leading Rabbinates of Europe meet to confer on internal matters of Jewish religious policy. Over the years connections have been established between the Conference of European Rabbis and the evolving governing machinery of the European Union. These connections have been well developed so that the CER is now recognised as the pre-eminent Jewish organisation in Europe. The following assessment was given by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe in his opinion granting consultative status to the Conference of European Rabbis as a recognised NGO. The Conference of European Rabbis appears to be the most representative Jewish organisation at European level. It shares common views and objectives with the Council of Europe as far as intolerance, racism or anti-Semitism are concerned, and will be able to cooperate fruitfully in Council of Europe’s activities. (From: Implementation of Committee of Ministers Resolution (93) 38 on relations between the Council of Europe and international non-governmental organisations – at http://assembly.coe.int/Documents/WorkingDocs/Doc00/edoc8873.htm) The privileges of esteem and recognition granted to the CER surely carry concomitant responsibilities. The CER has a duty to participate, where appropriate, in the processes of the European Community. Thereby the interests of the Jewish people can be promoted, Jewish observances can be better protected, and Jewish life can be better enhanced. Having recently joined the Standing Committee, I have expressed my willingness to play a part in this type of representative work of the CER in Europe. Secretary-General Aba Dunner nominated me to travel to Brussels Nov 30th - Dec 1st 2004 at two events that took place concurrently. One was a conference from the sphere of academia, the other was a seminar in the religious sphere. Into Academia 1. The 7th ECSA World Conference - The European Union and Emerging World Orders: Perceptions and Strategies. ECSA is the European Community Studies Association, an academic forum, consisting of representatives of universities and colleges from around the world through Jean Monnet Action, the channel for European Union funding of European Studies in countries around the world. There were keynote speeches by such major figures as:
There were roundtables and discussions on such subjects as:
The speakers were top-class and interesting, the issues truly global. The underlying theme – how the togetherness exemplified by the European Union could serve as a blueprint for effective governance of new groupings around the world which are in the process of emerging. Why did the Conference of European Rabbis need to be represented at an academic conference? I was not quite sure myself. When I was asked, several times in the course of the day, which college I was attached to, the answer I gave was Whitefield Community Kollel and Whitefield Yeshiva). The benefits of having worthwhile Jewish representation at this sort of event was highlighted for me, though, at the late afternoon session, on The EU, the Threats of Globalisation and the role of International Law. One of the featured speakers Professor Vera Gowlland, of the Graduate Institute of International Studies, Geneva, was introduced as having been a member of the legal team representing the Arab League at the hearing in front of the International Court of Justice at the Hague in February 2004 about the defensive fence Israel has constructed in the area of disputed territories. The professor utilised her platform at this session to rehearse arguments she had put before the ICJ. Needless to say these were heavily based against Israel. It was understandable why the presenter felt that it was a matter of the role of International Law. Quite why this matter qualified as part of the ‘threat of globalisation’ was not clear to me. The presence in the audience of Dr. Arie Reich, President of the Israeli Association for the Study of European Integration, and Vice Dean, Faculty of Law, Bar-Ilan University was a saving virtue. In a calm and dispassionate manner he set about unpicking the professor’s arguments and showing how the Jewish state should be applauded rather than censured for taking the only means open to them to defend their citizens against suicide bombers. All in all it was shocking to have this sort of anti-Israel propaganda served up in the course of this session. But it did illustrate the benefits of having appropriate representation in these sorts of forum. The event of Wednesday 1st December was of an overtly suitable nature and tailored for religious leadership: The Religious Sphere 2. A Soul for Europe; A Symposium: Preparing for Citizenship and integration in the new community of today’s pluralist Europe. The teaching of religion and ethics as a way to foster mutual understanding and tolerance; what challenges? What possibilities? What models? The sessions were entitled:
A Soul for Europe is an interfaith initiative by the leaders of the religions in the European Community. The major churches and religious organisations in Europe maintain offices in Brussels as a way of securing their influence. The Soul for Europe functions at a high level in European politics. It is part of the Group of Policy Advisers associated with the European Commission. And again the Conference of European Rabbis is the Jewish representative body accredited by the European Commission. See A Soul for Europe and this article I understood from my visit that with the newly appointed leadership of the European Commission, the future of this particular organisation is somewhat uncertain. Presumably something appropriate would be put in its place. With the growth of religious conflict in the world and with some of those tensions being played out in Europe, it is surely ever more vital that modes of dialogue are constructed so that communication can take place, problems solved or at least tensions eased. Interfaith - a cautionary note In the rabbinical and halachic perspective interfaith dialogue is not a problem-free zone. From the 1950’s onwards modes of conduct were laid down by the late Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik for the mainstream orthodox rabbinate in the USA, and promoted by the late Lord Jakobovits in the UK Rabbinate. These principles served for a number of decades as a touchstone of guidance in this sphere. A distinction was drawn: it was considered acceptable to co-operate on matters of humanitarian and social concern. However, debating or engaging in dialogue on theological issues was to be clearly and sharply avoided. It was interesting to note that the recent endeavours of the World Jewish Congress, a lay organisation, in establishing links with the Catholic Church, has involved the participation of significant rabbinical personalities from Eastern Europe. A conference in New York culminated in the visit by a group of cardinals to the Bes Hamedrash of Yeshiva University. The attendant controversy that it engendered illustrated that these matters continue from an orthodox perspective to be sensitive and not problem-free. The worldwide march of militant Islam has created a new menace facing Israel and Jewish communities worldwide. There is arguably a need to forge new alliances with other cultures and religions, and their leaderships that are facing a common threat. This new reality might arguably create the necessity for reviewing the policy that was previously adhered to. It will only be credible, however, with the blessing and guidance of the most senior rabbinic figures. |
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