NCJ Number
46214
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE JEWISH CONCILIATION BOARD IS TRACED, AND ITS EFFECTIVENESS IN SETTLING MINOR DISPUTES OUT OF COURT IS EXAMINED.
Abstract
A JEWISH RABBINICAL COURT, THE BETH DIN, HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE SINCE BIBLICAL TIMES. IN ISRAEL, IT IS A PART OF THE OFFICIAL COURT SYSTEM. DIVORCE AND SUPPORT SUITS ARE BROUGHT BEFORE THIS COURT. IN 1920, THE JEWISH CONCILIATION BOARD WAS ESTABLISHED WITH THE INTENTION OF REMOVING SPECIFICALLY JEWISH, SOMETIMES RELIGIOUS, CASES FROM THE CIVIL COURTS. AFTER SOME INITIAL DIFFICULTIES, THE ORGANIZATION RECEIVED SUPPORT FROM MANY INFLUENTIAL RELIGIOUS LEADERS. NEARLY A THOUSAND CASES ARE BROUGHT BEFORE THE BOARD EACH YEAR, BUT ONLY SIX PERCENT OF THEM EVER GO TO TRIAL. THE TYPES OF COMPLAINTS HEARD CONCERN MARITAL DISPUTES; BUSINESS DISPUTES; DISPUTES BETWEEN MEMBERS AND THEIR LODGES, CLUBS, AND SOCIETIES; DISPUTES BETWEEN PARENTS AND CHILDREN, BROTHERS AND SISTERS, AND FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS; AND DISPUTES OF A MORE OR LESS RELIGIOUS NATURE AMONG SYNAGOGUE OFFICIALS, RABBIS, CANTORS, AND WORSHIPERS. THE JUDGES MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE LITIGANTS TO FOLLOW, WHICH SOMETIMES INCLUDE PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT. THE FUNDAMENTAL PURPOSES OF THE COURT ARE TO DEAL WITH MATTERS OF SPECIAL JEWISH CONCERN THAT MAY BE INCOMPREHENSIBLE TO NON-JEWISH JUDGES; TO PROTECT THE DIGNITY OF THE JEWISH NAME; TO SAVE TIME AND MONEY FOR PEOPLE WHO CANNOT AFFORD EITHER; AND TO DISPENSE JUSTICE AS WELL AS TO MAKE PEACE BETWEEN THE DISPUTANTS. THE JUDGES CLAIM THAT THEIR MAIN FUNCTION IS TO REACH A CONCILIATION BETWEEN THE LITIGANTS, WHO ARE USUALLY ARGUING OVER A PETTY MATTER. (BAC)