Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., May 22, 2008 Iyyar 17, 5768 | | Israel Time: 14:49 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Leader of the Reform Yozma congregation in Modi'in, Kinneret Shiryon (Peri Turjeman / BauBau) Last update - 09:31 06/05/2008 Reform Jews open Israel's first state-funded non-Orthodox synagogue By The Associated Press Tags: Israel, reform judaism  Israel's Reform Jews dedicated the first non-Orthodox synagogue to receive state funding on Monday, after a long court battle that accented the rift among streams of Judaism in Israel. The Reform Yozma congregation fought for the better part of a decade for state funding equivalent to what Orthodox congregations receive. After arguing their case twice before the Supreme Court, they got what they wanted: a prefabricated, two-room building on a plot of land in the center of Modiin, a new town between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. "This is a substantial step in recognizing different streams of Judaism in the state of Israel," said Rabbi Kinneret Shiryon, who leads the 240-family congregation. Advertisement The government has long funded Orthodox synagogues, even paying rabbi's salaries. The Orthodox establishment dominates Jewish life in Israel and hotly opposes recognition or assistance to the more liberal streams - Reform and Conservative Judaism. Compared with the United States, where more than a third of Jewish adults consider themselves Reform, Israel's 25 Reform congregations are struggling for recognition. "Religion in Israel has traditionally been an either-or proposition," said Rabbi Uri Regev, president of the World Union for Progressive Judaism. "Most Israelis consider themselves religious or secular and don't accept the liberal streams." Groups like Regev's want to change that. "There's more than one way to be Jewish," he said. But the Reforms' move away from Orthodox practice, including allowing women and homosexuals to become rabbis, does not please everyone. "As a democrat I would say everyone has his right to whatever they wish," said MK Avraham Ravitz (United Torah Judaism). "But on the other side I don't think people should peel away what is holy to me." Ravitz said the liberal Jews are trying to force the Jewish state to recognize a movement that many do not consider true Judaism. "The power of religious political parties in the Israeli government may be one factor keeping funds and recognition away from Reform and Conservative synagogues," Shiryon said. She said many Israelis believe Orthodox Jews are the only ones who keep the coals of Jewish identity burning. Related articles: President Peres calls for more inclusive definition of Judaism Yom Kippur 2007: Jews who hate Reform Jews Knesset conversion proposals slammed by Orthodox, Reform Bookmark to del.icio.us   Say what you want French court: Claim that Al-Dura tape doctored isn`t libelous. Peace in our time Olmert: Peace talks with Syria are a 'national duty'.   1.   We are proud of our Catholic Jewish Rabbi who is homosexual 00:13  |  Yaakov Sullivan 06/05/08   2.   What a Shame 00:34  |  Robert 06/05/08   3.   democracy and Judaism ...at last 00:41  |  jewish doctor 06/05/08   4.   and the stupidity gets even stupider 01:17  |  henry 06/05/08   5.   This is greate news! 06:06  |  JewsByChoice.org 06/05/08   6.   A fatal mistake? 06:24  |  Mark Lincoln 06/05/08   7.   Government pays Rabbi`s? 07:00  |  bart 06/05/08   8.   mazal tov to them and 08:18  |  SJ 06/05/08   9.   Israelis don`t like reform 08:21  |  Dave 06/05/08   10.   Uncontrolled freedom breeds Havoc 08:29  |  The Archives 06/05/08   11.   Reform equals peeling away standard 09:04  |  Norb 06/05/08   12.   Let the market decide - it`s all perfectly Jewish 09:10  |  Chaver Steve 06/05/08   13.   #5 Stay out of it 09:36  |  shmuel 06/05/08   14.   Reform funding 10:14  |  Joseph Theeboom 06/05/08   15.   Welcome open-minded Jews! 10:26  |  Ulf 06/05/08   16.   To #1 Orthodox do not please many either... 10:30  |  Ulf 06/05/08   17.   secularism 10:50  |  TOBIAS RÜGER 06/05/08   18.   No State Funding for Any Synogogue 10:53  |  rivan 06/05/08   19.   #1 You Take Hashem`s Name in Vain 11:20  |  b`galil 06/05/08   20.   the repurcussons 11:30  |  shraga 06/05/08   21.   let us see how long before this place becomes ultra orthodox 11:59  |  Joe Jew 06/05/08   22.   makes sense, the goverment supports fakes 12:01  |  Joanna 06/05/08   23.   Actually # 13 20:55  |  a JBC 07/05/08   24.   Finally!!!! Mazal Tov! 18:37  |  Joe MataMoros 09/05/08   25.   Reform Judaism IS JUDAISM 08:54  |  Tuvia 10/05/08   26.   Orthodox Parasites upset 14:39  |  NWallday 22/05/08

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