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CLAL Honored by Reconstructionist Seminary for
Advancing the Cause of Jewish Pluralism

By Andrew Silow-Carroll, Communications Director

Citing CLAL's "significant accomplishments in advancing the cause of Jewish pluralism," the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (RRC) presented CLAL with its Ner Tamid Award for Distinguished Service at New York's Roosevelt Hotel on December 6.

The award was bestowed at a tribute dinner for RRC General Chairman and long-time CLAL supporter Aaron Ziegelman.

"In making CLAL the first recipient of the College's Ner Tamid Award, we honor their significant accomplishments in advancing the cause of Jewish pluralism," explained RRC President Rabbi David A. Teutsch.

"The Ner Tamid Award is named after the Eternal Light that shone in the Temple in Jerusalem and today brightens every synagogue with its reminder to seek the divine presence that always shines in our midst," Teutsch continued. "The ner tamid burns only if we light it, if we provide the fuel and the spark, for it is up to us to make God's presence felt. With this in mind RRC's Ner Tamid Award is bestowed upon those singular people and organizations whose sacred work enable us to see divine light in our time."

CLAL President Rabbi Irwin Kula, accepting the award on behalf of CLAL, described the challenge of pluralism as "much deeper than a Jewish challenge."

"The real challenge is how people can live within the full dimension of their particularity and at the same time live fully within the fabric of humankind. That's what we mean when we say 'many voices, one people,' " he said.

The RRC honored Ziegelman, who serves as Honorary Associate Chairman of CLAL, for his forty years of philanthropic leadership and service on behalf of the wider Jewish community. Ziegelman has served as General Chairman of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College since 1986, and has been a generous supporter, along with his wife, Marjorie, of numerous Jewish organizations in the United States and Israel. Ziegelman is producer and patron of the Luboml Exhibition Project, a traveling exhibition that has enabled hundreds of thousands of people to recapture the experience of shtetl life.

More than 500 people attended the tribute dinner, which was hosted by Broadway and screen actress Tovah Feldshuh. The event featured videotape tributes to CLAL, Ziegelman and the RRC.

Founded in 1968, the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College trains rabbis and other Jewish leaders to advance the growth of the Reconstructionist movement, teach Torah in its broadest terms and strengthen leadership in congregations and other settings throughout the Jewish community.

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