The need to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon has been one of our community’s longstanding priorities. For two decades no issue has focused the attention – and sparked the apprehension – of the Jewish people as much as the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran. And none has galvanized American Jewry for advocacy as has that nightmarish possibility.

Reflecting that communal consensus Chicago’s Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) expanded advocacy was launched in a 2007 Iran Action Plan, which was adopted unanimously by its constituent organizations.

In response to the accord recently reached with Iran concerning its nuclear program, JCRC met on Thursday, Aug. 6 to determine whether a meaningful community consensus existed on this critical issue. Despite knowing that several member organizations had already come out either in support of or in opposition to the agreement, JCRC felt it was nevertheless necessary to convene the community and engage in a thoughtful and civil dialogue on this important issue.

At the meeting, a draft resolution aimed at presenting the broadest possible areas of community consensus, was put forth and discussed. The draft resolution was circulated to JCRC’s 43 voting member organizations, which represent all four major streams of American Jewry and the breadth of membership, fundraising, service and advocacy organizations, prior to the meeting to enable each to review and offer amendments.

Delegates representing 31 of the 43 JCRC constituent organizations were present at the meeting. After thoughtful and civil deliberation, it was determined that no position could be issued that would reflect a community consensus. Multiple organizational voices were raised in support and opposition to the accord, as well as those who have adopted a firm “no position” on the JCRC resolution, and still others who are continuing to process the accord through their own governance structures.

Despite a lack of consensus on the Iran accord, the Chicago Jewish community remains united in our commitment to preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapons capacity; enhancing US-Israel military cooperation; and improving the possibility of a secure, lasting peace in the Middle East.

JCRC will continue to make resources available that reflect the different points of view of its constituent organizations (see: http://juf.org/jcrc/iran.aspx ), and encourages members of our community to further educate themselves, express their views to their members of Congress, in letters and calls to the media, and engage their synagogues, friends, family, neighbors and colleagues.

JCRC will also work diligently to promote bipartisan support for a strong America-Israel relationship, and urges members of our community to engage in respectful and civil discourse on this and other critical issues.

JCRC celebrates the strength of our community and our ability to constructively and respectfully express differing views. We will surely call upon that strength and our historic unity to face the many challenges and opportunities the coming New Year, 5776, will present.