Statement by the Chairman of the Executive with Unanimous Support of the Board

Whereas Rabbi Haskel Lookstein is one of the most respected and widely recognized rabbinical authorities in the Orthodox community worldwide, and has dedicated all his life to connect generations of Orthodox Jews to the State of Israel; and

Whereas An Israeli Rabbinical Council rejected one of Rabbi Haskel Lookstein's conversions, not based on halakhic reasons; and

Whereas This is yet another case  in which Israeli religious authorities undermine recognized spiritual leaders and religious authorities in the Diaspora, diminishing the relevance of Israel to Jewish communities abroad and harming the unity of the Jewish people;

Therefore be it resolved:
That the Board of Governors recommends to the Government of Israel to ensure that no measures are taken by the Rabbinate that deny the authority of recognized religious leaders such as Rabbi Lookstein and thereby may drive a wedge among Jews and widen the gap between Israel and the Diaspora, as these policies damage and harm the position of the State of Israel vis-à-vis Jewish communities worldwide.