By Donald H. Harrison
POWAY, California –Temple Adat Shalom has decided to prohibit three types of groups from utilizing its facilities. They are groups that:
*Endorse or promote anti-Semitism, other forms of bigotry, violence or other extremist views;
*Actively seek to proselytize Jews away from Judaism; or,
*Advocate for or endorse, undermining the legitimacy of Israel as a secure independent, democratic Jewish state, including through participation in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, in whole or in part.
In enunciating its policy, the board of directors of the Reform congregation stressed that it “is not intended to discourage the presentation of a wide range of perspectives aimed at appealing to a broad cross-section of the community. The TAS community is well-served by fostering diverse expressions through our cultural, educational, religious, and social action activities and by promoting a strong commitment to civil discourse.”
To help clarify the policy, the congregation issued guidelines stipulating what kind of programming is acceptable, and what kind shall be deemed unacceptable.
The guidelines read as follows:
Programs Generally in Accord with TAS’s Policy
The following kinds of programs are generally in accord with the policy statement:
- Private meetings;
- Presentations on topics other than the Middle East and Israel, that are not used to promote a BDS agenda or provide a forum for leaders of groups that espouse views inconsistent with the core values of TAS;
- Presentations by organizations or individuals that are critical of particular Israeli government policies but are supportive of Israel’s right to exist as a secure, sovereign, independent Jewish democratic state and that do not espouse views inconsistent with this policy;
- Panel discussions, speaker series intended for the same audience, cultural presentations, or educational programs portraying a range of diverse perspectives that, on balance, are consistent with the core values of TAS;
- Programs that are open to the community and welcome attendees regardless of their individual views;
- Participation in broad-based community coalitions on non-Israel-related issues provided that the coalitions do not become vehicles for undermining the legitimacy of Israel; and,
- Artistic presentations (displays, exhibits, films, performances) that may include critical perspectives of Jewish life or Israel but that, on balance, are consistent with the core values of TAS.
Programs Not Consistent with TAS’s Policy
In addition to the specific areas covered by the policy statement, the following kinds of programs are not consistent with the policy:
- Panel discussions, speakers series, cultural, artistic or educational programs that as an overall experience – i.e. based on the entire body of work – endorse or prominently promote the BDS movement or positions that undermine the legitimacy of the State of Israel;
- Individual programs that endorse the BDS movement or positions that undermine the legitimacy of the State of Israel; and,
- Co-sponsorship or co-presentations of public programs on Middle East issues with supporters of the BDS movement or others who undermine the legitimacy of the State of Israel.
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com