May 2012 Blog Posts (7)

As Reform and Progressive congregations, institutions and organizations are celebrating Rabbi Miri Gold’s recognition as a rabbi by the state, Chairman of the Jewish Agency, Natan Sharansky, calls it a “contribution to the unity of the Jewish people and the strengthening of ties with the Diaspora”.

You can read his full statement in the attached documents in both English and Hebrew:…

Today, the Attorney-General’s office announced that the state has decided to follow the advice of the High Court of Justice to start paying the wages of non-Orthodox rabbis in Israel serving their communities, just as it is paying the wages of 4000 Orthodox rabbis. So far, non-Orthodox rabbis in Israel have been paid by their congregations through membership dues.

The decision is based on a petition filed in 2005 by Rabbi Miri Gold of…

Starting on Monday June 18th, the leadership of ARZENU the International Federation of Reform and Progressive Zionists together with participants from the World Union for Progressive Judaism and the IMPJ (Israel Reform Movement) will be gathering in Jerusalem to participate in the annual World Zionist Organization's Va’ad Hapoel (…

South Africans honor Israeli contribution to help fight HIV/Aids in the country. As part of the project, known as Operation Abraham, 20,000 young men have been circumcised.

His Majesty, King Goodwill Zwelithini and Her Royal Highness, Queen of KwaLinduzulu attended on Sunday night, an event to honor Jerusalem hosted by…

On May 5, Anat Hoffman, Executive Director of Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC), appeared on CNN’s show Amanpour. to talk about her struggle to fight the ultra-Orthodoxs’ increasing influence on both public and religious life  in Israel and to secure equal rights of Israeli women.…

Negotiations Stalemate; Supreme Court schedules new hearing regarding the status of non-Orthodox rabbis and their rights to state funding.

The Supreme Court has set May 9 as the date when they will hear arguments regarding the status of non-Orthodox rabbis and their rights to state funding. The original petition was brought by the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC) which is the legal arm of the Israel…

A letter was sent out by the South African Centre for Religious Equality and Diversity (SACRED) earlier this week letting people know about the South African Orthodox Jewish community's move to ban women from singing at celebratory events.

Included in this letter is a link to a video that was produced in opposition to this discriminatory practice. In addition, an article was published in …