ARZA, the Association of Reform Zionists of America, will not be endorsing, supporting or attending the Hanukkah party sponsored by the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations (of which we are members) and the Embassy of Azerbaijan at the Washington Trump Hotel on December 14th.
We were alarmed that the Conference of Presidents Hanukah party with the government of Azerbaijan is scheduled to take place at the new Washington Trump Hotel because, to date, the President-Elect has not explicitly condemned racism, anti-Semitism, misogyny, Islamophobia, and anti-ethnic bigotry that he himself stoked and tolerated in his campaign for the Presidency. Unfortunately, until he does so we have to respectfully decline attending this Hanukah celebration.
We know that the Conference of Presidents does not hesitate to condemn anti-Semitism whenever and wherever it appears, and so we are confused that the CoP has taken the position it has vis a vis the Trump Hotel.
It is our hope that such meaningful decisions will in the future more accurately reflect a consensus of the member organizations and we encourage you to find a different venue for this event.
Rabbi Joshua Weinberg – President
Rabbi John Rosove – Chair
