International Israelite Board of Rabbis

to: The Israelite Community

from: Rabbi Sholomo Ben levy

(718) 712-4874, rabbilevy@blackjews.org

subject: Israelite Debate

date: July 10, 2008

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Shalom Uvracha:

The Israelite Academy is pleased to announce a formal debate on the following topic: “Should Israelites Today Practice Polygamy?” This forum is presented as an educational service to our community. Our goal is to demonstrate how controversial issues can be intelligently discussed through the art of respectful debate. Beth Shalom has graciously agreed to host this forum for our community on Sunday July 20, 2008 at 1 p.m.

Rabbi Baruch Yehudah, who is the Dean of the Academy, will lead a team of scholars who will argue in favor of polygamy. Rabbi Sholomo Levy, President of the Israelite Board of Rabbis, will lead a team of scholars who will argue against the current practice of polygamy. These distinguished teachers will use their vast Biblical, historical, and cultural knowledge to argue opposing positions. This competition will take place according to debate rules that have been agreed to by both parties.

Please bear in mind that as an academic exercise the views presented in this debate do not necessary represent those of the participants or any of our organizations or congregations. A panel of impartial judges selected from various congregations will chose a winner. However, the real winners are those who attend this event because they will see a fair and thorough examination of this topic. As a result of this debate interested spectators will be able to reach an independent and more informed conclusion.

If you wish to participate in this historic debate or submit information for either side to use, please contact the appropriate team captain. We hope that this will be the first in a series of topics that are of interest to our community. If successful, future debates will be held on such topics as “Should Israelites Accept Jesus and the New Testament?”, “Is Israelite Rabbinic Minhagim Too Aligned With Those of European Jews?”, and “Should We Train Women to Become Rabbis.” We are open to debating teams assembled by other organizations on a variety of subjects and at different venues if they are conducted in the spirit of brotherhood.

With Torah Blessings,

Rabbi Sholomo B. Levy

rabbilevy@blackjews.org

Rabbi Baruch Yehudah

RabbiYehudahII@aol.com

Israelite Academy Debate

“Should Israelites Today Practice Polygamy?”

Debate Format

First Round Make your case, state your best arguments using facts, logic, and persuasive rhetoric
Affirmative Constructive Select which team member (or members if you divide your time) will participate in this phase	20min.
Negative Constructive Select which team member (or members if you divide your time) will participate in this phase	20min.
Intermission ( 12 minutes) Consider what your opponents have said and plan your attack. Look for weakness, fallacies, misstated and omitted information. Since you only have a short time to plan your rebuttal, try to anticipate their arguments in advance so that you can have rejoinders prepared. Also, take careful notes so that you can respond to specific things alleged by the opposing team.
Second Round Here you are in attack mode. Your remarks should never become personal in nature, but they should be stated with passion. Be specific. Appeal to the head and to the heart . Avoid exaggerations that can make you look biased. Instead of saying “Their argument has no merit,” concede obvious points and focus on weaknesses. Make sure that you are engaging the other team and not merely reciting canned speeches.
Negative Rebuttal Select team members for this position	15 min.
Affirmative Rebuttal Select team members for this position	15 min.
Intermission (5 minutes)
Third Round In this brief round each team will be given an opportunity to ask direct questions to the opposing side.

Affirmative Cross Examination Select team members for this position	10 min.
Negative Cross Examination Select team members for this position	10 min.
Intermission (5 minutes)
Fourth Round This is your only opportunity to repair damage done to your position during the rebuttal. If the opposing team did not address core issues, point that out. If you need to respond to something said during the rebuttal, do so quickly. Use the majority of your time to recast the debate in a light favorable to your team. Tell the judges (an audience) why your team won this debate.
Negative Closing Select team members for this position		15 min.
Affirmative Closing Select team members for this position		15 min.
Total Time		2 Hours

Debate Officials

MC: Student Rabbi Memelek

Moderator: Rabbi Eliyahu Yehudah

Time Keeper: Rabbi Eliazer Levi

Sergeant-at-Arms: Rabbi Yhoshua Lewi

Five Judges: TBA (Representative)

Rules of Etiquette

Only team members may speak during the debate

Time limits will be strictly enforced

Questions and comments from the audience will be taken following the debate

Debaters may not confer or receive help from those in the audience

Audience members must refrain from clapping or verbal expression during the debate

Debaters my use audio or visual material while their clock runs

Personal attacks and derogatory remarks are prohibited at all times

Rulings by the moderator are final