- Israel was established to be a national home for all of the Jewish people. As such the country should provide an opportunity for all Jews to celebrate their tradition in the manner they choose. It is not a coincidence that the national anthem speaks of “being a free nation in our land”
- Religious policy began as a series of compromises between founding Prime Minister, David Ben Gurion and ultra-Orthodox political parties. Unfortunately, over the years the position of Israel’s government towards non-Orthodox Jewish observance has become increasingly intolerant. This needs to change.
- Conservative and Reform Jewish congregations go unfunded; non-Orthodox Rabbis are not allowed to legally conduct marriages, offer certificates of Kashrut and recently, even officiate in funerals.
- Israel’s Supreme Court has begun to intervene to prevent the most overt forms of religious discrimination. For instance, Conservative and Reform conversions in Israel were recently recognized as binding for purposes of the Law of Return. But implementation by the Ministry of Interior has been inadequate. And ultimately, the court is limited by unacceptable legislative constraints.
- Israel therefore needs to recognize the equal right of all Jewish congregations and ordained Rabbis to equal funding: If Orthodox institutions receive financial support from the government, Conservative and Reform should receive the same proportional amounts. At the present the gaps are enormous. This is unacceptable.
- During Israeli citizens most vulnerable and sensitive moments, Israel needs to guarantee that they have the right to conduct funerals according to their culture and conscience. Interventions by burial committees in the rituals of burial must be prohibited and the right of non-Orthodox Rabbis to conduct funerals must be specifically recognized.
- Israel’s new government of change enacted a major reform in the laws governing the system of Kashrut – enabling different overseeing institutions and labels to compete. Unfortunately, the law discriminates against non-Orthodox Koshering systems. From Conservative and Reform Kashrut to Vegan Friendly – all legitimate, replicable Koshering programs should be permitted to operate freely and issue certificates to those who seek them.
- There are many ways to be Jewish. Those who sincerely wish to join the Jewish people should be enabled. For many, Orthodox conversion is undesirable and onerous. Pursuant to the Supreme Court’s ruling, conversion to Judaism by non-Orthodox Rabbis inside and out of Israel must be recognized by the Interior Ministry as a legitimate basis for receiving citizenship under the law of return.
- The holiest site in Judaism, the Western Wall for many years has been run as an ultra-Orthodox synagogue, without establishing a section for Jews who believe that men and women should pray together. Women are even prevented from reading from the Torah in the women’s section. The Kotel Arrangement constituted a compromise that was approved by the Israeli government to change this. Its cancellation constitutes an egregious expression of intolerance by the government to the egalitarian Jewish ethos and innumerable Jewish communities around the world. An upgraded area for mixed prayer along with an overseeing committee comprised of non-Orthodox representatives should be implemented without delay.
- Israel must do more to bring non-Orthodox and Orthodox citizens together to get to know and understand each other. Present policies perpetuate a polarization which runs counter to the fundamental Jewish value that promotes tolerance and a commitment to mutual support among Jews. It is time that government policies allow for religious freedom and affirm that what unites us is ultimately far more significant than what divides us.
