Why Are We Celebrating Israel's Anniversary?

"In our century, the partnership between the Jewish People and God has produced a miracle: the restoration of the Jewish People to its ancestral home, Israel. No less miraculous is the restoration of our historical and sacred language, Hebrew, as the living language of today's Jews — in Israel and in the Diaspora. As Conservative Jews, we pray in Hebrew and promote Hebrew literacy in the Diaspora. We support the State of Israel as a democratic and pluralistic Jewish center and are committed to the ideal of aliyah (immigration to Israel) as an important component of contemporary Jewish expression." Conservative Judaism: Covenant and Commitment, Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, Dean, Ziegler School of Rabbinical Studies

"The centrality of modern Israel heads our list of core values. For Conservative Jews, as for their ancestors, Israel is not only the birthplace of the Jewish people, but also its final destiny." The Sacred Cluster, Rabbi Ismar Schorsch, former Chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary

"Conservative/Masorti Judaism was the first of the modern religious movements to embrace Zionism and has steadfastly remained at the forefront of the effort to promote its values: the centrality of Israel in the life and consciousness of thee Jewish People and the unity of the Jewish People wherever they may live." Mission Statement, MERCAZ USA.