NEW YORK — As Israel grapples with a war of spirit and terror, the organized Jewish community plans a show of solidarity with the embattled nation.
“I think the people of Israel need to know and have it reaffirmed that American Jewry is standing with them,” said Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.
A rally, sponsored by the Conference of Presidents, in partnership with the United Jewish Communities — the umbrella group of the federation — system is slated for Sunday, March 24 here, with simultaneous gatherings in 50 to 100 communities across North America.
In addition, nearly all of the more than 50 Jewish organizations in the Conference of Presidents are behind a statement of unity being prepared this week.
The solidarity statement, currently in draft form, relates to “the fundamental principles in which there is a clear consensus,” said Hoenlein.
Those principles, according to those familiar with the document, include a condemnation of terrorism, a statement of solidarity between American Jews and the Jewish state and a belief in Israel’s right to defend itself.
The language of the document is still being fine-tuned, but most Jewish leaders say there is little debate about its content or the focus of the gatherings.
Arthur Naparstek, director of the UJC’s overseas pillar, which is helping to coordinate the local events, said there is “tremendous consensus.”
Betty Ehrenberg, director of international and communal affairs for the Orthodox Union, expressed a sentiment of urgency and broad-based support for the plan.
“I don’t know if this is a time for distinctions between Jewish groups as far as support for Israel is concerned,” she said.
Both the Orthodox Union and Agudath Israel of America set aside Wednesday for prayer and fasting in behalf of Israel.
Despite the consensus, two of the member organizations aren’t convinced that any language on the subject can rise above politics.
Americans for Peace Now has expressed reservations about the initiative because it appeared to be “more of a blank check for the Sharon government,” said the group’s spokesman, Lewis Roth.
And Morton Klein, president of the Zionist Organization of the America, said that unless the rallies bear the explicit themes of Israel’s right to defend itself with “whatever means necessary” and “exposing the lie” of Israeli occupation, the initiative “won’t have nearly the political impact to help Israel.”
But David Harris, executive director of the American Jewish Committee, said he was “confident there are core principles that can be articulated and agreed upon by most, if not all, the member agencies.”