by Rabbi Daniel R. Allen, Executive Director of the American Reform Zionist Association
Abraham Joshua Heschel, in his writings just after the 1967 Day War asked “What part did the State of Israel play in the day-to-day life of the Jews outside the land until recent events?” It was an appropriate question for the times. His view was that too many Jews took the existence of the State of Israel for granted and did not marvel at its very existence.
Knesset Committee for the Status of Women chairwoman Tzipi Hotovely (Likud) announced on 
Wednesday that she will ride “mehadrin” bus line 418 from Bet Shemesh to the capital, on a bus in which women are asked to sit in the back. “Mehadrin” lines are those used mostly by haredi [ultra-orthodox] passengers, in which women are asked to sit at the back of the bus, and sometimes even enter the bus only from its back door. It is illegal for bus companies to enforce this rule, but passengers may voluntarily sit according to gender.
ARZA is the voice of Progressive Jews who want to help ensure that Israel lives in peace and security and that it is the democratic, inclusive and egalitarian place described in its Declaration of Independence.
