AUSTRALIA’S Orthodox rabbis gathered in Sydney late last month for the biennial National Rabbinic Conference.
And over the course of the two-day conference -– arranged by the roof body Organisation of Rabbis of Australasia (ORA) -– a number of resolutions were passed.
In a first-ever motion, ORA resolved to interact with the community lay-leadership, namely with representatives of Executive Council of Australian Jewry in ongoing liaison.
In relation to education, ORA said that with a substantial percentage of children not attending Jewish day schools, it resolved to provide for their education through both personal assistance and by facilitating further enrolments.
The conference also resolved to form a subcommittee to explore the practical and halachic issues associated with organ transplantation and donation in Australia.
In regards to abortion, ORA resolved to issue a public statement regarding the Torah view.
Regarding same-sex relationships, ORA reaffirmed that all Jews were part of the Jewish community and klal Yisrael, and were “welcome in our synagogues”.
However ORA reaffirmed that a same-sex commitment ceremony, “in any form, has no place in Judaism”.
ORA also resolved that the rabbinic state bodies should form a subcommittee to deal with potential chillul Hashem and unethical public behaviour.
