Timeline of Jewish CO History

This document will be updated over time.

• 1917
  • USA
    • CCAR issues resolution opposing Jews claiming CO status 
• 1929
  • USA
    • CCAR calls for the US government to not bar immigrants from naturalization who would refuse to bear arms in defense of the nation.
• 1930
  • USA
    • CCAR calls for the US government to not bar immigrants from naturalization who would refuse to bear arms in defense of the nation.
• 1931
  • USA
    • CCAR says “It is in accord with the highest interpretation of
      Judaism for a Jew to conscientiously object to personal participation in
      warfare. We oppose any legislation designed to penalize adherents of
      any religion who conscientiously object to personally engaging in military
      operation.”
• 1932
  • USA
    • CCAR issues statement calling for Jewish CO’s to be recognized alongside those of the traditional Peace Churches
• 1936
  • USA
    • CCAR issues statement calling for Jewish CO’s to be recognized alongside those of the traditional Peace Churches
• 1939
  • UK
    • “No Provision for ‘conscientious Objectors,’ in Judaism, British Rabbis Told” Jewish Telegraphic Agency (May 29, 1939) 
• 1940
  • USA
    • CCAR calls for continued respect for rights of CO’s, including those from minority traditions.
• 1942
  • USA
    • CCAR calls for continued respect for rights of CO’s, including those from minority traditions.
• 1946
  • USA
    • CCAR called for removal of all sanctions on those previously imprisoned for refusing to comply with the draft.
• 1948
  • State of Israel
    • Joseph Abileah was the first conscientious objector in the state of Israel to be put trial by a military court for refusing military service. 
• 1956
  • USA
    • CCAR called for removal of all sanctions on those previously imprisoned for refusing to comply with the draft.
• 1969
  • USA
    • URJ General Assembly issues resolution regarding Selective Service
    • The Rabbinic Council of America’s President condemned the burning of draft cards, as “”clear
      violation of the basic process of democracy.”
    • United Synagogue Youth convention “voiced opposition to draft because of Vietnam conflict and
      asked Jewish agencies and rabbis to offer direct counseling on military service, conscientious objection and pacificism”
    • The case of John Scott Ruskay gets attention. He is a JTSA student who was denied his CO claim by
      his draft board because a board member said “Jews can’t be CO’s.”
• 1970
  • USA
    • The Synagogue Council of America (representing Reform, Conservative and Orthodox Jewish organizations) calls for equal treatment of Jews in draft boards, saying that CO can be a legitimate Jewish position.
    • CCAR “asked affiliated congregations to support college-student Vietnam protest, asserting “right to
      petition for redress of grievances is fundamental to democratic process”
    • Hadassah “expressed support for responsible opinion in favor of right to dissent, and for speedy end to Vietnam war and Arab war against Israel”
    • B’nai B’rith Hillel Foundations “asserted ‘right and obligation’ of campus chaplains to counsel students
      on “conscientious objections and the draft”
  • State of Israel
    • On April 28, 1970, “a group of high school seniors about to be drafted sent a letter to Prime Minister Golda Meir expressing their reservation about the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, the War of Attrition and the government’s failure to take steps to avoid conflict.”
• 1980
  • USA 
    • CCAR calls for respect for CO’s if draft is called again
• 1981
  • USA
    • Reconstructionist Rabbinic Association calls for respect of CO’s,
      including even selective objectors
• 1982
  • USA
    • CCAR calls for an end to draft registration, opposes draft more
      generally.
• 1989
  • South Africa
    • Thirty-three Jewish Conscientious Objectors in South Africa sign and release statement against conscription, particularly in the context of apartheid.