Monthly Archives: June 2017

Background: On Sunday, the Israeli Cabinet made a decision to reverse an earlier decision to establish a pluralist prayer space at the Western Wall. Additionally, there was an initial approval of a bill that would give the Chief Rabbinate a monopoly on conversion in Israel. President of the ZFA Dr Danny Lamm, who was in Israel for Board of Governor’s meetings with The Jewish Agency for Israel, said these decisions came as a tremendous shock to all participants. Explaining the two decisions he said that the reversal of the decision in regards to the Western Wall came after the Government [...]

Over the past few days we have once again been reminded in the most stunning manner about the lack of regard that the Government of Israel has for Progressive, Conservative and other non-Orthodox Jews in Israel and around the world. It has also provided a stark reminder of the continuing importance of the work of ARZA groups around the world to see Israel fulfill one of the basic commitments of her Declaration of Independence. […]

WE’RE MAD AS HELL AND WE’RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT ANY MORE! CRISES OF CONVERSION AND KOTEL Rabbi Lawrence A. Englander Chair, ARZENU, International Reform Zionist Organization I was driving with my Israeli friend through a Jerusalem neighborhood. As we passed by houses and gardens, mothers pushing strollers and kids cruising on skateboards, he said to me: “This is such a beautiful country, with such beautiful people, beautiful landscapes — and such a horrible government!” The recent actions of the Netanyahu government to support a Conversion Bill that would disqualify any Jew by Choice converted in Israel by anything other [...]

World Union Connections Conference April 2017 Jerusalem The World Union for Progressive Judaism’s (WUPJ) CONNECTIONS conference was held in Jerusalem in April, providing me the opportunity to visit Israel and to have some meaningful meetings with Progressive Zionists from around the world. However, beyond that, it was an outstanding conference that provided inspiration and support for all of us seeking to ensure that Israel fulfills its own commitment to be a democratic and inclusive society. […]