A Success for Progressive Jews Around the World
Progressive Jews around the world celebrated the Israeli’s government recent decision to assign a special portion of the Western Wall for egalitarian prayers. Rabbi Meir Azari commented on this recent victory:
“Reform, Conservative and progressive Jews around the world celebrated the Israeli government’s recent decision to assign a special portion of the Western Wall for egalitarian prayer. This victory is another step in the journey to release Israelis from the hold of the Orthodox monopoly.
Years ago, the Supreme Court decided to recognize Reform conversion and later, a special budget was implemented to partially fund this program. Reform Judaism began to grow with more and more synagogues being built using public funds. In fact today, a handful of Reform rabbis’ salaries are partially funded by the government. Yes, this recent decision to provide an open and accepting space at one of the most meaningful sites in Judaism is a step in the right direction.
We at the Daniel Centers for Progressive Judaism celebrate the accomplishment of Women of the Wall and Reform and Conservative leadership across the country that enabled this victory. We are honored that the Executive Director of Women of the Wall, Leslie Sachs, and Rabbi Gilad Kariv, Executive Director of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism, who were instrumental in achieving this success, are members of the Beit Daniel community. We are very proud to stand on the frontline of advancing religious freedom in Israel, with the support of the government and the city of Tel Aviv-Jaffa, and look forward to future successes for egalitarian Judaism.”