Rabbis for Religious Freedom and Equality in Israel has changed its name to Ruach Hiddush which stands for: רבנים וחזנים למען חופש דת ושוויון Ruach Hiddush was founded as a rabbinic organization in 2015. Beginning this week, we are also accepting cantors. Ruach Hiddush is a project of HIDDUSH, a nonprofit based in Israel and the U.S. Our membership roster is available at … [Read more...] about Ruach Hiddush is Born!!!
RRFEI News Blog
“Religionization” in Israel secular public schools
The challenge of Jewish education and forging Jewish identity is dear and near to all of us. The challenge associated with these subjects in the modern era in an environment of an open society, which embraces Jews on the one hand - and in the State of Israel where only a minority defines itself as religious on the other hand - is self-evident. Both the Jewish community in the … [Read more...] about “Religionization” in Israel secular public schools
Ahad Ha-am, The Jewish State and the Jewish Problem (1897)
The spirit of our people desires further development; it wants to absorb the basic elements of general culture which are reaching it from the outside world, to digest them and to make them a part of itself, as it has done before at various periods of its history. But the conditions of its life in exile are not suitable for such a task. In our time culture expresses itself … [Read more...] about Ahad Ha-am, The Jewish State and the Jewish Problem (1897)
Reform Judaism in Israel: an amazing success story, by Rabbi Micky Boyden
When one reads about the way in which Bibi backtracked on the Kotel agreement and the disgraceful manner in which the Women of the Wall are treated by the police and security personnel, one could be mistaken for believing that Reform Judaism is having a bad time of it in Israel. If you add to that the dislike that many feel for Israel's right-wing/religious coalition … [Read more...] about Reform Judaism in Israel: an amazing success story, by Rabbi Micky Boyden
Comprehensive interview with Rabbi Shlomo Riskin in Israeli media
A recent detailed interview with Rabbi Shlomo Riskin appeared in the original Hebrew in Makor Rishon earlier this month, with select paragraphs translated into English below. Partial translation of Rabbi Riskin's interview "If I could ask God one thing, I would ask: How is it possible that the Talmud is the most pluralistic piece of literature, but those who study … [Read more...] about Comprehensive interview with Rabbi Shlomo Riskin in Israeli media