Thursday, January 30, 2014

Religion and State in Israel - January 30, 2014

Editor – Joel Katz
Religion and State in Israel is not affiliated with any organization or movement.


KOTEL/WESTERN WALL/WOMEN OF THE WALL

Women of the Wall chairwoman Anat Hoffman said in a letter sent to key supporters of the organization that a special government committee headed by Cabinet Secretary Avichai Mendelblit had agreed to most of the conditions, reported Haaretz, which obtained a copy of the letter.
The letter reportedly said the committee’s recommendations would be submitted to the Cabinet for approval in the coming weeks and that the egalitarian area would be ready in “a year or more,” Haaretz reported.
The site will have a mobile, temporary mechitzah for the monthly prayer services since some of the members are Orthodox and do not pray with men, according to the letter.
The committee also reportedly agreed to allow group members to jointly oversee administration of the egalitarian space, according to Haaretz.


REFORM MOVEMENT IN ISRAEL


RABBINATE AND RABBI AVI WEISS ISSUE
By Rabbi Avi Weiss

 …Israel is a state for all the Jewish people. As such, it should allow for the option of secular as well as religious marriage.
Coercion and religion do not mix. Religious choice would benefit all. When choice is available, religion in general and Orthodoxy in particular will fare better because people will have the freedom to embrace faith willingly. An imposed religion is a disservice to the people and a disservice to religion.






JERUSALEM CHIEF RABBIS



IDF/HAREDI DRAFT/RELIGIOUS WOMEN IN IDF





ALIYAH/ISRAEL-DIASPORA RELATIONS





Hillel Halkin Revisits 'Zionist's Polemic' And Finds He Hasn't Changed



Regarding Israel, he expressed concern that the 90 percent of the Jews in the U.S are not Orthodox feel alienated by a religious establishment in Jerusalem that views their practices as less than authentic.
“I am hopeful that the Chief Rabbinate will be more respectful of all streams of Judaism,” he said.




ISRAEL AS JEWISH AND DEMOCRATIC STATE


see also:


EDUCATION




HAREDI SOCIETY






BEIT SHEMESH MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS



RELIGION AND SOCIETY/NETANYAHU'S SON STORY






RELIGION AND SOCIETY













RELIGION AND STATE



SHULAMIT ALONI

By Yossi Sarid

Shula made us face the inherent tension between religion and state, between politics and faith.

Who didn’t gape askance, or wring hands in a sigh, when hearing her demand to separate them?

Yes, protecting the eminence of the state and the honor of religion, it is essential to detach the devout, to sever apart the forces that infect the country with ultra-nationalism and poison religion with zealotry. Leaving the two glued together is a recipe for disaster.


TEMPLE MOUNT


Editor – Joel Katz
Religion and State in Israel is not affiliated with any organization or movement.
All rights reserved.

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