Rabbis for Religious Freedom and Equality in Israel
A trans-denominational rabbinical network
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Press release: We, members of Ruach Hiddush, representing the full spectrum of Jewish denominational life, join with lovers of Zion and supporters of Israel in expressing grave concern and dismay regarding the alignment of the Jewish Home and National Union parties with the Kahanist Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party in order to …
Continue reading “Ruach Hiddush protests Otzma Yehudit’s Inclusion in the Israeli Election Process”
The recent explosion in anti-Semitic expression including acts of anti-Semitic violence in numerous quarters around the world is not only frightening and alarming, it is eerie and perhaps even ominous. The inevitable and logically-necessary descent of rabid anti-Zionism into the exclusion and even hatred of Jewish people is in plentiful evidence, and rabid anti-Zionism continues …
Continue reading “Rabbi Yosef Kanefsky: Words from a Broken, Loving, and Hopeful Heart”
Originally posted on JTA Israel’s Chief Rabbinate holds absolute power in key areas over the religious definition of what – and who – is Jewish. This monopoly — empowered, funded and perpetuated by the state — has given the haredi Orthodox-controlled body the license to exclude major segments of the Jewish community within and outside …
Special Statement Response to the tragedy at Tree of Life Synagogue Ruach Hiddush Executive Committee Rabbi Prof. Michael Chernick (Chair), Rabbi Les Bronstein, Rabbi Pam Frydman, Rabbi Elliott Kleinman, Rabbi Mark Levin, Rabbi Asher Lopatin, Rabbi Gordon Tucker, Rabbi Elyse Wechterman, Rabbi Uri Regev (Hiddush President and CEO) Ruach Hiddush, the rabbinic and cantorial association …
Continue reading “Response to the tragedy at Tree of Life synagogue”
With all due respect to those who are now coming out with declarations that they will continue to marry outside the framework of the Rabbinate – Let us hear you express an opinion about the marriage of mamzerim. Rabbi Dubi Haiyun was not arrested for having performed outside the Rabbinate, but because he did so …
The arrest of Rabbi Dubi Haiyun for conducting a chuppah and kiddushin ceremony without a permit from the Rabbinate is a shocking disgrace. Indeed, Haiyun broke the law, but in this case the law itself is a disgrace, a law with a black flag flying over it. A law that states that marriages, even Orthodox, …
Continue reading “Yair Sheleg’s Facebook response to the treatment of Rabbi Dubi Haiyun”
Stop this now. The Haifa police arrested Rabbi Dubi Haiyun, the rabbi of the Conservative community of Moriah in Haifa for (listen carefully): conducting a chuppah and kiddushin ceremony without the approval of the Rabbinate. Red line crossed. Someone there wants to burn down the nation’s home on us, and just before Tisha B’Av. Someone …
Continue reading “Rabbi Benny Lau’s Facebook response to the treatment of Rabbi Dubi Haiyun”
Rabbi Gordon Tucker sent this tribute to members of his congregation on Sunday, May 6, 2018. We share it today on behalf of Ruach Hiddush. Ruach Hiddush Executive Committee Rabbi Pam Frydman (Chair), Rabbi Mark Levin (Newsletter Editor), Rabbi Michael Chernick, Rabbi Elyse Wechterman, Rabbi Gordon Tucker, Rabbi Uri Regev (Hiddush President and CEO) I …
Continue reading “Special Tribute In Memory of Rabbi Aaron Panken z”l”
I believe it is unfair to claim that Jews of the Diaspora have developed an obsession for the Kotel, the Western Wall, as Peter Joseph stated in his article in The Forward. Love of the Kotel has been a carefully cultivated interest and passion fostered by Jewish leaders for centuries in order to keep our people …
Continue reading “In defense of the right to care – by Rabbi Pam Frydman*”
In Hiddush’s last newsletter, we highlighted a number of aspects involving the current controversy over the Shabbat bill. What we would now like to share with you, our colleagues, is a more focused perspective on the religious debate and the conduct of religious politicians in this controversy. This will give you deeper insight as to …