I wanted to be sure that you have heard the exciting news from the holiest place in Jewish life.
Thanks to intensive efforts by our Union for Reform Judaism, the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism, Women of Reform Judaism and Women of the Wall, the Israeli cabinet voted early Sunday to create an egalitarian prayer space at the Kotel, the Western Wall. Entrance to this area will be through the main plaza.
Clearly, there will be objections and many obstacles before full implementation.
However, we certainly are on the road to official recognition that non-Orthodox forms of Judaism are every bit as legitimate and worthy of space at sacred sites as ultra-Orthodox Judaism which dominates at the Kotel today. This vote indicates that Israel’s political establishment understands how important the views of American Jews are to the ongoing well-being of our Jewish State.
Religious pluralism has been the reality throughout Jewish history. There never has been one legitimate way to worship God and express our deep ties to the Jewish people and tradition. Chasidism, in fact, was a minority break-away movement from mainstream Judaism. No one ever encountered terms like “Orthodox,” “Reform” or “Conservative” Judaism until the nineteenth century.
The cabinet’s decision recognizes this truth: our expression of Judaism is as equally compelling and valued as any other. Never do I feel or preach that Reform Judaism is superior, but we surely can take pride in our joyful holy expressions of Jewish practice knowing that they are every bit as authentic as any other denomination of our faith.
So, when our kids visit the Kotel, whether it is during our 8th grade RSS trip or high school trips to Israel, they never again will have to approach that holy site and see the large space dominated by ultra-Orthodox Jewish men or the smaller space dominated by very traditional women and wonder, “Is there a place in Judaism for me?”
Soon, they’ll be able to go to the egalitarian prayer space where no police nor disapproving Jews will harass them and make them feel like second-class citizens. Their pride will swell, ensuring ever-deepening ties to the Jewish people and religion for many years to come.
Shehecheyanu, thank you God for helping us reach this day. May full implementation come soon.
Fondly,
Robert N. Levine
Senior Rabbi
