Contact: Lauren Theodore at 212-650-4154
New York, NY; June 6, 2016 -- Rabbi Rick Jacobs, Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) President, commented today on a new bill being promoted by the Haredi parties in the Israeli Knesset. The bill seeks to overturn a recent Israeli Supreme Court decision to allow Reform and Conservative conversions in state-controlled mikvaot (ritual baths).
The goal of the new law, as stated emphatically and on the record by MK Moshe Gafni of the United Torah Judaism party, is to block Reform and Conservative Jewish conversions. We expect Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to veto this bill and to speak out against it as soon as possible. It is simply unacceptable for the Prime Minister to say he is negotiating with us in good faith on a compromise with the Haredim on the Kotel while at the very same time allowing this bypass of the Supreme Court by the very same Haredi parties.The Haredim are holding the Jewish people hostage to their expression of Judaism, which not only excludes the majority of Jews in Israel and the world but denigrates the authentic Judaism we practice.
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The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) builds community at every level—from the way we collaborate with congregations, organizations, and individuals to how we make connections across North America to advance contemporary and inclusive Jewish life. Providing vision and voice to transform the way people connect to Judaism, we help congregations stay relevant and innovative, motivate more young Jews to embrace Jewish living, agitate for a more progressive society, and foster meaningful connections to Israel.
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