Subscribe to Print Edition | Fri., February 27, 2009 Adar 3, 5769 | | Israel Time: 01:30 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File

Signs of a system 'in chaos' By Cnaan Liphshiz The Yossi Fackenheim case is unique in two aspects, according to U.S.-born Rabbi Seth Farber, head of ITIM, a non-profit organization that helps Israelis navigate the Chief Rabbinate bureaucracy. "We often handle cases in which the Israeli Rabbinate's conversions tribunal fails to recognize conversions performed abroad," he explained. "This case is different and unprecedented in that the rabbinic court nullified a conversion the court itself had already approved." The second aspect, according to Farber, is the judge's questioning Fackenheim's Jewishness without being asked, contrary to past practice. "This case, which began as a simple divorce, highlights the current chaos within the rabbinic court system on the issue of conversions," he concluded. Advertisement Rabbi Eric Yoffie, the leader of the U.S. Jewish Reform movement, said Fackenheim's case "has sent shock waves in the Reform community." David Ellenson, the president of Hebrew Union College, recalled the retroactive nullification last year of thousands of conversions performed by the state-sponsored Conversion Authority headed by Rabbi Haim Druckman, "That Jewish identity can be revoked," he said, "means an erosion of the certainty that each of us can have in our faith." Hod Hasharon's chief Ashkenazi rabbi, Reuven Hiller - who is an outspoken critic of the Reform movement - also voiced harsh opposition to retroactive nullification of conversions. "I wholeheartedly object to such rulings," he said. "This is an extreme view that has no place in Judaism, and its recent emergence is very regrettable. In the past, the hard-line Haredi establishment fought against the nullifying conversions at all price. Now we see a complete reversal which shouldn't be allowed to happen." Bookmark to del.icio.us   Writing on the wall For payment Palestinian artists offer to spray-paint personal texts on the West Bank wall. Lieber-fear II The real issue is why Israelis voted Lieberman.

Read & React Orthodox irate over women rabbis' prayer at Western Wall Responses: 83 Former peace negotiators urge world to engage with Hamas Responses: 69 Israel launches campaign against UN nuke watchdog chief Responses: 40 Iran assuming Mughniyeh role inside Hezbollah Responses: 37 Editorial: You can't make Qassams out of pasta Responses: 19 More Headlines 01:29 U.S. says it seeks to end Iran's nuclear ambitions 00:49 Lieberman: I back establishment of a viable Palestinian state 23:51 Netanyahu to U.S. envoy: I'll honor Israel's previous commitments 00:13 Barak: We're running out of time on Iran threat 16:57 Israel's next government will be 'more Jewish and more Zionist' 21:37 Clinton: Too soon to say whether U.S.-Syria ties will thaw 19:58 Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel says he cannot forgive Madoff 22:53 Canada schools blasted for ban on anti-Israel 'apartheid' poster 22:32 Israel bombs Gaza tunnels in response to Qassam fire 15:45 Lieber-fear II: The real issue is why Israelis voted Lieberman 21:22 Catholic bishop that denied Holocaust apologizes for his remarks 15:53 See your message on the West Bank wall, for a price 21:32 Justice Minister urges pardon for disengagement objectors 18:45 IMF report: PA urgently needs $1.5b to cover financing requirements 22:18 NGO: Ariel Sharon's son has commandeered hospital room for personal use Previous Editions Select Day 26 feb 25 feb 24 feb 23 feb 22 feb 20 feb 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb 16 feb 15 feb 13 feb

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