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From the Legal Trenches

From the Legal Trenches

23/05/2023 12:13

1. Freedom of Marriage: In the last newsletter we reported on Hiddush’s legal breakthrough, which brought Israel closer than ever before to realizing freedom of marriage.

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54% Israelis: IDF soldiers have right to eat chametz

54% Israelis: IDF soldiers have right to eat chametz

17/03/2022 14:31

In light of the public and political battle that accompanies the petition Hiddush submitted (on behalf of itself, the Secular Forum, and a group of parents of IDF soldiers) to reduce the sweeping ban against leavened foods during Passover on IDF bases, Hiddush decided to survey the positions of Israel’s adult Jewish public on this matter.

Why do they do it? Because they can!

Why do they do it? Because they can!

03/03/2022 20:33

This week, the Supreme Court issued a ‘show cause’ order against the IDF in a petition Hiddush submitted regarding non-observant and non-Jewish soldiers being allowed to possess chametz in their own private domain (or in pre-designated spaces) and consume it during Passover.

Civil Marriage – are we getting closer?

Civil Marriage – are we getting closer?

18/02/2022 00:02

In Israel, there has been increased attention on marriage rights in general and civil marriage in particular. A significant part of Hiddush’s work is focused on these very issues. This month alone, two Knesset committees have held hearings on the matter.

Haredi leaders employing extortion by threats

Haredi leaders employing extortion by threats

05/01/2022 11:54

On Tuesday, Hiddush filed a complaint against senior rabbis in ultra-Orthodox Judaism following their declaration that city rabbis who dare to act in accordance with the law after the adoption of a kashrut reform in the Knesset and certify food as kosher outside their city limits will have their kashrut certification banned everywhere, including in their own cities, and they will be considered as " having departed from the congregation of God and transgressing against the will of God." The declaration is signed by Rabbi Shalom Cohen, the spiritual leader of the Shas movement and Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky and Rabbi Gershon Edelstein, the leaders of the ultra-Orthodox-Lithuanian community.

Court rules against rabbinical court judge for

Court rules against rabbinical court judge for "Writ of Refusal"

09/12/2021 21:29

Hiddush's legal advocacy continues, with its submission of a petition to the Supreme Court against the IDF for religiously coercing soldiers to keep kosher on Passover, as well as yet another petition on behalf of an Israeli couple married legally via videoconference in Utah County, Utah.

IDF forcing soldiers to keep kosher for Passover

IDF forcing soldiers to keep kosher for Passover

25/11/2021 23:45

Next week, Hiddush will submit a petition to the Supreme Court against the IDF, demanding that it change its regulations regarding its policy on chametz on Passover in army bases.

Hiddush on the legal front

Hiddush on the legal front

11/11/2021 22:12

Hiddush continues its legal advocacy for religious freedom on multiple fronts, in addition to public opinion polling, making presentations at Knesset committees and fighting for religious freedom and equality in the court of public opinion.

Hiddush in the legal trenches

Hiddush in the legal trenches

29/10/2021 01:47

This week we filed a Freedom of Information petition against the Municipality of Netanya, as part of our efforts to assist groups and individuals whose rights are being infringed upon in connection with the clash of religion and state on the national and local spheres. This time our petition followed our efforts to help residents of four condominiums in Netanya of residents who have been trying unsuccessfully to get the municipality to stop the public nuisance caused by a Haredi group that was given permission by the municipality to use a public bomb shelter and the adjoining area (situated directly adjacent to their residences) for prayer and religious activities.

Hiddush battling for civil burial in Court

Hiddush battling for civil burial in Court

30/09/2021 22:58

Today in court there was good news and bad news. On the one hand, the Justices of the Supreme Court that heard the petition praised Hiddush’s initiative, which prompted the Ministry of Religious Services to speed up its handling of the issue. On the other hand, the court considered the petition too broad and encouraged Hiddush to file separate and concrete petitions in relation to localities.

2021 Israel Religion & State Index

2021 Israel Religion & State Index

02/09/2021 22:45

Hiddush released its annual Israel Religion and State Index. This is the 13th Index published by Hiddush since its inception in 2009, published annually on the eve of Rosh HaShanah. The Index is the only systematic and in-depth periodic review of Israel’s adult Jewish public’s attitudes on matters of religion and state.

Contrary to Orthodox politicians - Public for marriage freedom

Contrary to Orthodox politicians - Public for marriage freedom

28/07/2021 23:02

Last week, on the Jewish calendar, we marked Tu b’Av (the 15th day of the month of Av), which can be likened to Valentine’s Day in the USA. Hiddush commissioned a special survey on marriage freedom in commemoration of the holiday, which was well covered in the Hebrew and English media.

Joint statement protesting desecration of siddurim at the Kotel

Joint statement protesting desecration of siddurim at the Kotel

14/06/2021 23:58

Dozens of ultra-Orthodox extremists harassed Women of the Wall worshipers at their monthly service at the Western Wall on Friday, June 11, 2021. Following this hateful incident, JPLAN (the Jewish Pluralism Legal Action Network), and RUACH HIDDUSH (Rabbis and Cantors for Religious Freedom and Equality in Israel) called for charges to be brought against those responsible.

73% support State recognition of same-sex couplehood

73% support State recognition of same-sex couplehood

01/06/2021 11:29

3 out of 4 Israelis support same-sex couples receiving all the rights other couples get; 73% of the adult Jewish public in Israel support recognition of same-sex marriage (54%) or civil unions for same-sex couples (19%).

Only 40% support leaving conversion under Chief Rabbinate

Only 40% support leaving conversion under Chief Rabbinate

18/05/2021 21:35

In honor of the Jewish festival of Shavuot, Hiddush - for Freedom of Religion and Equality commissioned a public opinion survey to examine the attitudes of Israel’s adult Jewish public on the matter of conversion.

Hiddush files petition against Minister Aryeh Deri

Hiddush files petition against Minister Aryeh Deri

17/03/2021 05:07

An administrative petition was filed at the Jerusalem District Court this week against the Interior Minister, the Population Authority, and the Attorney General, who refuse to register some 150 Israeli couples who have been legally married via web conferencing in Utah County, Utah, USA. The petition was filed by Hiddush – For Religious Freedom & Equality, 9 of the couples married online via Utah County, and 2 Utah rabbis, Samuel Spector and Dr. David Levinsky.

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