Rabbis for Religious Freedom and Equality in Israel

A trans-denominational rabbinical network

Kotel (Western Wall)

In defense of the right to care – by Rabbi Pam Frydman*

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I believe it is unfair to claim that Jews of the Diaspora have developed an obsession for the Kotel, the Western Wall, as Peter Joseph stated in his article in The Forward. Love of the Kotel has been a carefully cultivated interest and passion fostered by Jewish leaders for centuries in order to keep our people connected with the only remaining remnant of the structure that … [Read more...] about In defense of the right to care – by Rabbi Pam Frydman*

The Chief Rabbinate vs. The State of Israel and the Jewish People

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Criticism of the Israeli Chief Rabbinate is nothing new. It has often been voiced in the RRFEI newsletter and resources, as well as in Hiddush's materials. It covers a myriad of issues, which in recent years include its delegitimization of Modern Orthodox attempts at addressing the Rabbinate's failures in the areas of conversion and kashrut certification. Developments in the … [Read more...] about The Chief Rabbinate vs. The State of Israel and the Jewish People

Manning up at the Kotel by Rabbi Daniel Landes

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Originally posted on Times of Israel blogs: http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/manning-up-at-the-kotel/ The latest escalation in the attacks upon women praying as a group at the Kotel on the second day of Rosh Hodesh Adar is as remarkable as it is perverse. Senior rabbinic figures summoned hundreds of dati leumi (religious Zionist) teenage young women from their high … [Read more...] about Manning up at the Kotel by Rabbi Daniel Landes

Rabbi Uri Regev responds to “How to Finally Get Egalitarian Prayer at the Western Wall” (Tablet Magazine – Nov. 22., 2016)

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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)

RRFEI Analysis: A new twist in the unfolding Kotel saga

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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