Rabbi Miri Gold to receive state-pay

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 Congregation Birkat Shalom and Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC) and follows a High Court hearing earlier this month.

As a result of the decision, Regional Councils will be allowed to employ non-Orthodox rabbis for any community requesting one. Currently, 14 non-Orthodox rabbis across the country will be able to receive wages from the state.

According to Miri Gold and Anat Hoffman from IRAC the attention will now turn to lobbying for the ability of non-orthodox rabbis to function as neighborhood and city rabbis of the state.

Read more from the international press:

Haaretz - For first time, Israel to recognize Reform and Conservative rabbis

Jpost - ‘Historic’ change: State to pay non-Orthodox rabbis

The New York Times - Israel to Aid Wider Range of Rabbis

BBC - Israel to pay non-Orthodox rabbis

Follow this link to IRAC's website where you can send a message to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressing your gratitude that Rabbi Miri Gold has finally received recognition by the state.