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
Conversion
An open letter to Mr. Natan Sharansky from Rabbi Uri Regev, Head of Hiddush
Originally posted at JPost.com HEREand eJewishPhilanthropy.com HERE Dear Natan, You will forever be remembered as a valiant warrior for freedom, and now as head of the Jewish Agency for Israel, you have the opportunity to take up the mantle of bold leadership in the battle for religious freedom, Jewish diversity and equality, whose time is long overdue. Last week, you … [Read more...] about An open letter to Mr. Natan Sharansky from Rabbi Uri Regev, Head of Hiddush
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
On Orthodox Conversion in the Twenty-First Century
A Conservative colleague once told me that the auspicious Rabbi Max Kiddushin told her that if a person says that s/he wants to convert a rabbi should convert that person immediately and teach the person later. Little did I know at the time that Rabbi Chuck Davidson's research, found in our newsletter of January 18th, would prove definitively that Rabbi Kiddushin's viewpoint … [Read more...] about On Orthodox Conversion in the Twenty-First Century
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