
Conservative Judaism


In Historic First, Woman to Lead Conservative-Masorti Movement in Israel
The trailblazing appointment will take place during a period of significant growth for Israel's branch of Conservative Judaism

Rabbis Forced to Take Pay Cuts, Unpaid Leave as Coronavirus Hits Israel's non-Orthodox Movements
Heads of Reform and Conservative movements acknowledge ‘very challenging times’ as COVID-19 heavily impacts finances of non-state-funded organizations

Jerusalem of the South? The Very Jewish History of This Very Texan Town
Galveston on the Gulf Coast was once a haven for Jewish immigrants. Though there are far fewer Jews there today, they still make their voice heard on immigration, interfaith solidarity and other key issues

In First, a Ugandan-Jewish Wedding in Israel
Bride and groom are members of the Abayudaya community, which is not officially recognized by the Jewish state but is by Conservative and Reform movements

2010-2019 The Decade Israel’s Reform and Conservative Jews Fought an Uphill Battle
The non-Orthodox movements have experienced impressive growth in their number of congregations since 2010. However, the Chief Rabbinate’s grip on matters of religion and state is proving hard to loosen | 2010-2019 roundup: Part 2

Israeli Couples Face Crisis of Faith as Secular-religious Divide Becomes Personal
'Mixed' couples, where one of them either left religion or became newly pious, share the challenges they face at home and in the community: 'In Israel everyone tries to put you into a box, in the U.S. you’re a Jew and that’s it'

Gantz Vows to ‘Nurture’ Jewish Pluralism, Revive Western Wall Deal
Addressing Jewish Agency Board of Governors, Kahol Lavan leader says he is ‘confident’ Israel can defend itself from Iran

Rabbi Reuven Hammer, a Pioneer of Conservative Judaism in Israel, Dies at 86
The New York-born rabbi, who helped found Masorti Judaism's key establishments, is remembered for his scholarship and understanding

Jerusalem Conference Tackles Men's Changing Roles in Religious Society
Religous-Zionist and Conservative audience learn about 'the secret of the male's sperm,' how to be an 'Israeli lady,' and challenging — or reinforcing — gender roles

In Landmark Move, Israeli Army to Allow Reform and Nonreligious Burials
Removing obstacles to holding non-Orthodox ceremonies, bereaved families could opt under new regulations for a military funeral that corresponds to their beliefs

Most Israelis Don’t Want Chief Rabbinate Deciding for Them Who Is a Jew, Survey Finds
Only 32 percent of Israeli Jews want to keep the Rabbinate's monopoly over conversions intact, yet more than half would not allow their child to marry a non-Jew

In First, State Will Pay Salaries of non-Orthodox City Rabbis in Israel
The official application, however, refers to them as ‘community leaders’ rather than rabbis, with wages significantly lower than their Orthodox counterparts

Israel's Top Court to Hear Test Case for Recognizing Emerging Jewish Communities
Conservative-Masorti movement petitions High Court so that a Ugandan convert to Judaism be allowed to remain in Israel under the Law of Return

Following Complaint, Senior Rabbinical Judge Backs Out of Event to ‘Reclaim’ Western Wall From Conservative, Reform Jews
Rabbi Eliezer Igra withdrew from the event organized by far-right group after Conservative movement leaders filed official complaint against him

Reform and Conservative Movements in Israel Petition High Court for Equal Funding
Petition demands Israel recognize the movements by their official names instead of 'renewed' communities and their leaders as rabbis rather than 'community leaders'

Analysis For Israel and Liberal American Jews, Netanyahu’s Next Government Is the End of the Line
Fragile support for Israel is bound to be crushed by a coalition of Jewish supremacists that would destroy democracy, the rule of law and last remaining prospects for peace

Haredi Teen Who Threatened to Kill Leader of Conservative Movement in Israel to Be Prosecuted
Teen's death threats were issued during a Women of the Wall prayer service held at Jerusalem’s Western Wall and also targeted members of the movement

‘Next Time It Could Turn Deadly’: Reform Movement Leader Blames Israel for Clashes at Western Wall
‘Delegitimizing other Jews leads to the kind of violence we saw last Friday,’ Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, warns

‘A Desecration of God’s Name’ Women of the Wall Demands Government Inquiry Into Violent Attacks at Western Wall
‘It’s important to ask who benefited politically from this show of force against Women of the Wall 34 days before the election,’ says group’s head after thousands of ultra-Orthodox youths were bused in to protest last Friday

Editorial The Damage Done by Pope Netanyahu
In empowering itself to decide who’s a Jew and who is less a Jew, the government is acting as a Vatican of the Jewish religion

Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Youths Violently Disrupt Feminist Prayer Service at Western Wall
Special service held to mark the 30th anniversary of Women of the Wall, which falls on International Women's Day ■ Israel Police accuses Women of the Wall of provoking clashes, in which several women were hurt

Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Boycotts Event Held at 'Heretical' Conservative Venue
Eliezer Rauchberger of the ultra-Orthodox Degel Hatorah party says he declined to attend because the Reform and Conservative movements are bent on 'destroying Judaism'

Jews of Uganda Are Torn Apart Over a Bitter Sibling Rivalry
Tales of corruption, sectarianism, and a family dispute are renting Uganda's Abayudaya Jewish Community
Conservative Movement Leaders Enraged by Netanyahu's Silence Over Death Threats to Israeli Representative
Leaders urge PM to 'condemn unequivocally' threats made by ultra-Orthodox man, saying lack of clear response 'is tantamount to your tacit approval'

Another Nail in the Coffin for Conversion Reform in Israel as Top Court Set to Freeze Initiative
High Court approved Israeli government's request for a six-month delay to plan that would have stripped Chief Rabbinate of its power
Police Investigating Death Threat Against Conservative Movement Leader in Israel
Yizhar Hess recounts that he was 'rendered speechless' after an ultra-Orthodox man told him: 'I will murder you, if I had knife I'd put it in you here'

Pilot, Poet, Scuba Diver, Lefty – the non-Orthodox Rabbi Bringing Unorthodox Views to City Hall
Meet Dov Haiyun, the Conservative rabbi making history by serving as deputy mayor of Haifa, where he hopes to put the famously secular city on the cultural map

Israel Gets Its First non-Orthodox Rabbi in City Government
Rabbi Dov Haiyun, of the Conservative movement, will be deputy mayor of Haifa

Israeli Lawmakers From Right and Left Vow to Back Reform and Conservative Jews in Struggle for Equal Status
In aftermath of Pittsburgh massacre, movements demand full recognition in Israel