Originally posted in the Jerusalem Post HERE Leading Israelis, quite properly, have been paying increased attention to recognizing the importance of Mizrahi (Sephardi) music, poetry, culture and overall contributions to Jewish life. Both the Education Ministry and Culture and Sports Ministry have created new committees and prizes to stress the significances of Mizrahi … [Read more...] about ‘A worthy tribe’ by Yizhar Hess, Executive Director and CEO of the Conservative Judaism movement in Israel
Guests' Posts
The Prime Minister must respect his agreements – By Rabbi Andrew Sacks, Executive Director, Rabbinical Assembly in Israel
When Rav Amar, the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem, pushed his way into the egalitarian section by Robinson's Arch, he also spoke out about Conservative and Reform Jews being 'Reshai’im' (evil ones). Yet the Talmud defines a Rasha as one who says 'what is mine is mine and what is yours is mine.' Apparently this is the thinking of Rav Amar with regard to the Kotel. On January 31, 2016, … [Read more...] about The Prime Minister must respect his agreements – By Rabbi Andrew Sacks, Executive Director, Rabbinical Assembly in Israel
From The Pluralist, a publication of the Israel Religious Action Center: Closing Marriage Loopholes
Victory for LGBT Rights on Pride Month Dear Friends, Iris and Anna, citizens of Russia, met in 2006 and fell in love. As same-sex marriage is not an option in Russia, they tied the knot in Denmark in 2013 when it became legal for non-citizens to marry there. With one dream accomplished, Iris felt ready to fulfill her calling to live as a Jew in Israel. Anna, who is not … [Read more...] about From The Pluralist, a publication of the Israel Religious Action Center: Closing Marriage Loopholes
Rabbi Chuck Davidson on ‘The Challenge of Conversion in Israel’ by Dr. Netanel Fisher
I read with great interest RRFEI's coverage (May 2, 2016) of Dr. Netanel Fisher's paper on conversion in Israel. As a conversion advocate and activist, and he who originally envisioned Giyur Ke-Halakha, Israel's network of independent Orthodox conversion courts, I'd like to offer a few observations. First and foremost, Dr. Fisher's analysis of the challenges is quite … [Read more...] about Rabbi Chuck Davidson on ‘The Challenge of Conversion in Israel’ by Dr. Netanel Fisher
A resource: Lenient Halakhic rulings on conversion
Many in Israel are working toward a return to halakhah as intended by our tradition, and not as a political gambit to secure power in the Jewish State. We have heard in past weeks from Rabbi Aaron Leibowitz, who is working for a rational and traditional standard of kashrut that does not coerce Israelis into paying exorbitant fees or discriminating against other religions: a … [Read more...] about A resource: Lenient Halakhic rulings on conversion