It's reported by Leonard Baker that Mahatma Gandhi advised Rabbi Leo Baeck around 1938 that "All of the Jews of Germany at a given moment should commit suicide." Gandhi thought the collective action would shock the conscience of the world. Gandhi clearly did not understand the Jewish nature. Baeck himself once commented that Judaism is the most life-affirming religion among … [Read more...] about How to proceed is the real question
Advocacy
Rising flames of resistance to the Western Wall agreement
Since last week’s RRFEI bulletin [link], the flames of religious detraction against the Kotel agreement have been rising. This has been covered widely in the Anglo Jewish and international media; below, RRFEI provides you with the original Hebrew pronouncements of: the Chief Rabbinate, the Ashkenazi Council of [Great] Torah Sages [link], the Sephardic Council of [Wise] Torah … [Read more...] about Rising flames of resistance to the Western Wall agreement
The Supreme Court landmark ruling to allow non-Orthodox converts access to all Mikva’ot in Israel – There is more to it than you may think by Rabbi Uri Regev
You may download my highlighted version of the Supreme Court ruling here. This unanimous ruling of the Supreme Court is an important addition to the chain of rulings that uphold the principles of religious freedom & equality. Its importance is not only to the matter at hand (access to the public mikva’ot for the purpose of non-Orthodox conversions), but also for future … [Read more...] about The Supreme Court landmark ruling to allow non-Orthodox converts access to all Mikva’ot in Israel – There is more to it than you may think by Rabbi Uri Regev
Israel cannot fulfill her role as the truly Jewish State with the Rabbanut in control.
A few years ago a friend from the congregation called to say that Israel had become a regular topic in her home since her daughter's birthright trip, and the experience reenvigorated her intermarried family's Judaism. I told her how delighted I was, and then asked, "You know I speak about Israel regularly from the pulpit. Why the change now?" She said, "Oh, Mark, as soon as I … [Read more...] about Israel cannot fulfill her role as the truly Jewish State with the Rabbanut in control.
Rabbi Pamela Frydman regarding the Kotel Compromise
The government's description of the Kotel compromise is described in Hebrew here: [link], and in English here: [link] The Kotel compromise is like manna. (Exodus 16:4) The sages say that manna tasted like whatever the Israelites felt like eating, but Rashi quotes Midrash Sifri to explain that manna could not taste like cucumber, melon, leek, garlic or onion, because those … [Read more...] about Rabbi Pamela Frydman regarding the Kotel Compromise