International Federation of Reform and Progressive Religious Zionists

All Blog Posts Tagged 'Torah' (6)

Rabbi W Gunther Plaut z"l, leader, scholar, visionary - his legacy lives on

The ARZENU family joins the Reform movement in mourning the passing of Rabbi W. Gunther Plaut in Canada last week.

Rabbi Plaut, who died at 99, published a volume of commentary on the Torah and Haftarah, which has become the standard Chumash used by the Reform movement world-wide.

“God is not the author of the text,” Rabbi Plaut wrote in the volume’s introduction, “the people are; but God’s voice may be heard through theirs if we listen with…

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Added by Arzenu Admin on February 12, 2012 at 8:00pm — No Comments

ARZA US statement on ruling of municipal chief rabbis on renting to “gentiles”

ARZA (Association of Reform Zionists of America) reacts with alarm to a recent report that 50 leading Israeli municipal chief rabbis, all employed by the State, have signed on to a religious ruling which forbids renting homes to gentiles - a move particularly aimed against Arabs.

This ruling comes just months after the Chief Rabbi of Safed initiated a call urging Jews to refrain from…

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Added by Arzenu Admin on December 9, 2010 at 9:30pm — No Comments

In Israel, A Fight to Make the Wall More Inclusive, By Hillary Brenhouse

Anat Hoffman, chairwoman of the "Women of the Wall" organization holds on to a Torah scroll as Israeli police attempt to take it from her outside the Western Wall in July.

Last month, former Jerusalem city councilor Anat Hoffman, a brightly colored prayer shawl draped about her neck like a scarf, took a stand. Backed by a band of dancing, chanting, clapping women and the mound of stones that is Judaism's…

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Added by Arzenu Admin on August 12, 2010 at 1:00pm — No Comments

Jewish women fight for equality at Jerusalem Western Wall - Interview with Anat Hoffman

Israeli law prohibits women from reading the Torah at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, one of Judaism's most sacred spots. Anat Hoffman wants to change that. She's the chairwoman of Women of the Wall and a leading figure in the Reform movement in Israel. Earlier this month, she was arrested for carrying the Torah at the wall. Hoffman tells guest host, Rebecca Roberts on National Public Radio in the US, about the incident and why she is so steadfastly working to upend the… Continue

Added by Arzenu Admin on July 30, 2010 at 4:30pm — No Comments

We did it! Conversion Bill vote called off. By Anat Hoffman

Dear Friends of IRAC,

Amazing news. We just learned that the Conversion Bill will not go to vote this Wednesday – a huge success! You deserve a gigantic thank you. Because of your overwhelming opposition, MK Rotem realized that he did not have the support to pass the Conversion Bill at this time. Thank you to all of the organizations and movements worldwide, to all who sent thousands of letters, faxes, and phone calls, and to all who spread the word to your friends, family, and…

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Added by Arzenu Admin on July 19, 2010 at 10:09pm — 1 Comment

IRAC's Anat Hoffman arrested for carrying a Torah!

Anat Hoffman, chair of IRAC and one of the leaders of the Reform movement in Israel and Women of the Wall (WOW) was arrested for holding a Sefer Torah during a Rosh Chodesh celebration at the Western Wall (Kotel).

Women of the Wall (WOW) gathered this morning for their monthly Rosh Chodesh services at 7 am on the women's side of the Kotel. Hoffman, with a Sefer Torah in her arms, led the 150 women-strong prayer group in…

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Added by Arzenu Admin on July 12, 2010 at 6:32pm — No Comments