Unity Document

Congregation Beth Yam, like many faith-based congregations and organizations, faces the challenges of partisan politics. The passions from our deeply held convictions too often, without careful reflection, lead to diminished friendships and undermine the social fabric of our synagogue community.

There are instances when we will not agree on public policy issues or share the same perspective on moral issues. Unfortunately, when the expression of conflicting and opposing beliefs negatively impact personal and communal relationships, such disagreements and disconnects can impair the solidarity of a congregation.

Our interactions when confronting these circumstances should be guided by our set of Jewish values (preserving a fundamental value of respect between people) and covenant statements reinforcing these fundamental values. Such covenants are not about identifying who is right or wrong, or taking sides regarding opinions or values regarding politics. It sets out guidelines and principles to follow.  Remember, spoken and printed words can heal as well as hurt us. Let us rededicate ourselves to the following principles:

DERECH ERETZ – Common Decency:
We should do everything in our power to be polite and respectful of our neighbor. We should avoid disparaging comments against a person just because we disagree with their politics.

TIKKUN OLAM – Repairing the World:
People with different points of view can be equally committed to making our world better. Clergy, leadership and congregants should work to achieve consensus through open and honest discussion, collaboration and compromise.

SHALOM – Peace:
Require the membership to be vigilant regarding the pursuit of peaceful relations within the community.

TESHUVAH – Repentance:
Teshuvah is about an individual’s ability to maintain a level of self-awareness, introspection and honesty about healing relationships and preserving good will.

SHEM TOV – A Good Name:
One can stand by one’s own opinions and values and, but at the same time, respect differing opinions and values. This leads to having a Shem Tov—a good name.

ANAVAH – Humility:
A humble person is not weak. Humility is a strength because no one should become so arrogant about his political convictions that one disparages people who hold different opinions.

TZIBUR – Community:
Our tradition says that we should never separate ourselves from the community. Religious communities should unite on setting standards to set limits on the extent of debate and argumentation on political issues.

TORAH STUDY, WORSHIP, and PROGRAMMING – debate and discussion:
Argumentation and debate is a long-established value in Judaism. However, arguing over important principles does not mean that both sides are not equally committed to understanding the truth. When programs are planned involving issues that have clear cut political repercussions, leadership should consider different strategies that represent and mitigate the differences.

BOSHET – Shaming Another Person:
Do not cross a moral or spiritual line when arguing a point that results in shaming or embarrassing another person. Remain mindful that words and passions expressed over issues can be hurtful and shameful.

B’TZELLIM ELOHIM – God Created Human Beings in the Divine Image:
Judaism affirms the inherent value of all peoples. Criticizing a person because of their views goes against Judaism’s basic teaching of respect for the divine spirit in every person. If we are willing to keep these teachings in front of us, we can minimize the toxicity of the political debate.

CONCLUSION
The above-mentioned principles aim to restore a consciousness of Jewish values to sustain our solidarity and to avoid division and hurt feelings. These covenants challenge us to live by these values and to treat each other with respect.