The Eretz HaKodesh and Coalition for Jewish Values organizations criticized a letter — written by The Jewish Federations of North America, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Hayesod and the World Zionist Organization — which expressed concerns over Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s new government.
Netanyahu’s cabinet was sworn in last Thursday.
“It is our duty to share with you our deep concern regarding voices in the government on issues that could undermine the long-standing status quo on religious affairs that could affect the Diaspora,” the letter from the four major Jewish organizations stated.
In response, both Orthodox organizations wrote letters supporting Netanyahu and slamming The Jewish Agency.
“It must be noted that these comments that have been made to you do not represent the voices of all Diaspora Jewry,” said the signed letter by Eretz HaKodesh, signed by Chairman Rabbi Pesach Lerner and delegate Stephen L. Rosedale.
“We wish to bring to your attention, as members of the Board of Governors of The Jewish Agency,” the Eretz HaKodesh letter continued, “that the letter that was sent to you was issued without any discussion amongst the members of the Board of Governors of The Jewish Agency or between the Board of Governors of The Jewish Agency and the national institutions. We deeply regret that the voices of Diaspora Jewry were used to express a position in Israel’s political discourse against the government, headed by you.”
Lerner and Rosedale went on to request a joint meeting with Netanyahu and “prominent community leaders” from across the world who support his government.
The Eretz Hakodesh slate won nearly 20,000 votes in record-setting elections for the 38th World Zionist Congress.
The Coalition for Jewish Values sent an additional letter to Jewish Agency Board of Governors Chairman Mark Wilf, expressing its disappointment regarding the letter that was critical of the Netanyahu government.
“We are writing to express our concern and disappointment regarding the recent letter sent to Prime Minister Netanyahu by you and leadership of The Jewish Agency, the World Zionist Organization, Keren HaYesod and The Jewish Federations of North America,” said the Coalition for Jewish Values letter, signed by President Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld and Managing Director Rabbi Yaakov Menken.
“All of these bodies were chartered and are intended to represent all mainstream Jewish groups,” the letter continued. “Indeed, they are among the few Jewish organizations to welcome full diversity of opinion, providing space for internal debate and discussion.”
Schonfeld and Menken also criticized the letter for disparaging the religious “status quo agreement” by Israel’s first Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion and Agudath Israel, which set the tone for Jewish religious affairs in the State of Israel when it comes to conversion, the Law of Return, kashrut and other matters. The Coalition for Jewish Values letter said that Netanyahu was merely respecting a standard that has been in place since Israel’s independence.
“We strongly encourage you to consider if you truly have the backing of those Jews most focused upon Israel, such as the WZO voters and America’s rabbinic leaders, in future letters,” the Coalition for Jewish Values letter concludes. JNS
Reform refuses kosher trial. Rabid growth of gray areas in happiness.
They are too busy to open a Chumash.
This is a grade of folks that do not regard civic faith.
Caroline Glick said:
“More than 70% of non-Orthodox Jews who marry, marry non-Jews.
Even more startling, only half of non-Orthodox American Jews of marriage age (25-54) are married at all.
Of those who are married, only 15% are raising children as Jews.
Non-Orthodox Jewish women have the lowest fertility rates in the United States.
The threats American Jewry refuses to face
by Caroline Glick, 2021 April 4 from www dot jns dot org
Caroline Glick said:
“American Jewish historian Jack Wertheimer has reported that Reform and Conservative rabbis who refuse to perform intermarriages have been sanctioned and even fired from their pulpits.
He noted as well that Reform rabbis who simply encouraged their synagogue members to date other Jews have faced negative repercussions from their congregants.”
The threats American Jewry refuses to face
by Caroline Glick, 2021 April 4, from www dot jns dot org
“Admittedly, recent social research has shown that in Liberal streams of Judaism, where women are allowed to take on leadership roles, men are increasingly being pushed out.
In a study published in [year] 2008, Sylvia Barack Fishman and Daniel Parmer of Brandeis University argued that as women dominate rabbinic, cantorial, and communal roles and feminize them, men lose interest.”
SOURCE: The Jerusalem Post, 2010 March 1
Jerusalem Post Editorial titled: Women’s Rabbinical Rights
Judaism Faces Gender Imbalance Crisis
by Nicole Neroulias:
NEW YORK “Non-Orthodox Jewish men are becoming alienated from their faith, a crisis that foreshadows a rise in interfaith marriages and secular generations, according to a new study from Brandeis University.
The findings, based on 300 interviews, report the rise of female leadership and participation in Reform, Reconstructionist and Conservative Judaism has prompted men to opt out of religious activities, in contrast to Orthodox Judaism, which still requires men for traditional worship and family life.”
SOURCE: USA Today 6/25/2008 from: Religion News Service
Reform is not Judaism.