Exploring Israel's Jewish and Arab sectors, as well as the Zionist Orthodox community This week, new perspectives regarding Israelis’ views on marriage freedom and related issues were presented to the public. After years of polling Jewish public opinion, Hiddush initiated a special study of both Israel’s Jewish sector and its Arab sector, and its findings were released … [Read more...] about NEW public opinion studies on marriage freedom in Israel
Newsletter Article
Rabbi Uri Regev responds to “How to Finally Get Egalitarian Prayer at the Western Wall” (Tablet Magazine – Nov. 22., 2016)
Liel Leibovitz's "How to Finally Get Egalitarian Prayer at the Western Wall" can be found HERE. Rabbi Uri Regev's response follows below: As Liel Leibowitz (LL) suggests, the non-Orthodox movements should broaden their appeal and avoid unnecessary conflicts. Nevertheless, I have strong reservations as to the specifics of LL's perspective on what is "unnecessary … [Read more...] about Rabbi Uri Regev responds to “How to Finally Get Egalitarian Prayer at the Western Wall” (Tablet Magazine – Nov. 22., 2016)
Israeli Reform synagogue vandalized, death threats conveyed with a knife
The Reform synagogue in Ra'anana was vandalized last night [LINK] in conjunction with the Western Wall controversy. Death threats were conveyed by placing a knife branded with a reference to Maimonides' Laws of Killing, Chapter 4:10 - "If there is the possibility, one should kill them with a sword in public view. If that is not possible, one should develop a plan so that one … [Read more...] about Israeli Reform synagogue vandalized, death threats conveyed with a knife
RRFEI Analysis: A new twist in the unfolding Kotel saga
Leading archaeologists insistently weigh in against the Government's Western Wall agreement This week witnessed a new twist in the unfolding Kotel saga. At the initiative of leading Israeli archaeologists that approached a ready and willing Knesset committee chair, a public hearing was held regarding the Kotel agreement from an archaeological perspective [LINK]. Early on, we … [Read more...] about RRFEI Analysis: A new twist in the unfolding Kotel saga
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