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Defending Religious Freedom and Equality in a Year of National Turmoil

Defending Religious Freedom and Equality in a Year of National Turmoil

26/06/2025 16:44

Amid one of the most turbulent periods in Israel’s history, Israelis have realized just how intertwined security and religion are

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Death threats left in Raanana against Reform Jewish leadership

Death threats left in Raanana against Reform Jewish leadership

24/11/2016 15:12

The Reform synagogue in Ra'anana was vandalized last night in conjunction with the Western Wall controversy.

Knesset Internal Affairs Committee Chair stoops even lower!

Knesset Internal Affairs Committee Chair stoops even lower!

18/11/2016 13:51

The Jewish Federations of North America convened their General Assembly earlier this week, and impressed upon Prime Minister Netanyahu how strongly they feel about implementing the Western Wall Agreement that his Government reached with Women of the Wall, and the Reform and Conservative movements. While the Prime Minister reiterated his commitment to the agreement, but pleaded to them for patience & silence, MK David Amsalem, a senior member of Netanyahu's Likud party, in his official capacity as Chairman of the Knesset Internal Affairs Committee, attempted to sabotage the agreement because it offends his religious sentiments. In doing so he had no compunction acknowledging that this would offend American Jewry.

Israeli religious leaders' theological responses to the US elections

Israeli religious leaders' theological responses to the US elections

15/11/2016 12:02

Some days out after the US elections, we can now take a look and share with you an angle that has not been covered by the US media, including the Jewish media. Namely, the Israeli religious "angle," both prior to and immediately after the elections. Needless to say, Hiddush, which focuses solely on issues of religion and state in Israel, is not taking a stand on the merits of the campaigns, the desirability of the candidates, the election results, nor the plethora of political post-election reactions in Israel, mostly from settlers and right-wing political party leaders.

Sukkot 2016: Batya Kahana Dror, Esq.

Sukkot 2016: Batya Kahana Dror, Esq.

21/10/2016 15:57

Batya Kahana Dror, Esq. writes, "Getting married via the Rabbinate is not fitting for all couples. Sometimes this clashes with their worldviews, and sometimes it creates bureaucratic difficulties in simply obtaining the Rabbinate's permission to marry at all. Divorcing through the Rabbinate is also more difficult."

Sukkot 2016: Rabbi Meir Azari

Sukkot 2016: Rabbi Meir Azari

21/10/2016 15:50

Rabbi Meir Azari writes, "The recent years have seen a blossoming of Reform communities, Conservative, secular and the like, situated between what an Israeli would refer to as Orthodox and secular. Many are seeking a Jewish voice for good and equality."

Sukkot 2016: Tehila Friedman-Nachalon

Sukkot 2016: Tehila Friedman-Nachalon

21/10/2016 15:45

Tehila Friedman-Nachalon writes, "The battles that Hiddush sees as battles for "religious freedom," I perceive as battles over the substance and understanding of the 'Jewish' in 'Jewish and democratic.'"

Sukkot 2016: Prof. Pinchas Shiffman

Sukkot 2016: Prof. Pinchas Shiffman

21/10/2016 15:36

Professor Pinchas Shiffman writes, "The problem facing stringent religious Judaism is whether to accept a person who lives among us and truly wants to be a Jew, but does intend to be religious. This person's rejection reinforces the split between Jews according to religion and Jews according to nationality."

Sukkot 2016: Smadar Dekel Naim, Esq.

Sukkot 2016: Smadar Dekel Naim, Esq.

21/10/2016 15:27

Smadar Dekel Naim, Esq. writes, "There is no reason whatsoever to be party to this religious coercion, especially at this most precious, family-oriented moment, and in the most personal of matters. Why should we hold non-egalitarian ceremonies, with rabbis who don't identify with our ways of life? Many of whom actually despise us?"

Sukkot 2016: Shira Ben Sasson-Furstenberg

Sukkot 2016: Shira Ben Sasson-Furstenberg

21/10/2016 15:11

Shira Ben Sasson-Furstenberg writes, "I don't want to be a Torah observant woman that is a guest in Israel's Jewish arena because she is not a man. It is expected that she will not participate, that she will remain behind the mehitza, at the back of the bus."

Reaction to the death of Shimon Peres (1923-2016)

Reaction to the death of Shimon Peres (1923-2016)

Stanley P. Gold 29/09/2016 14:29

Hiddush President Stanley Gold knew President Shimon Peres z"l for over 30 years. He recalls a lunch date in Israel with Mr. Peres about 10 years ago.

In memory of President Shimon Peres z

In memory of President Shimon Peres z"l

28/09/2016 14:41

Hiddush lovingly remembers President Shimon Peres z"l (1923-2016), a true Israeli hero and champion of civil rights.

The AJC-JPost surveys of American & Israeli Jews on pluralism in Israel

The AJC-JPost surveys of American & Israeli Jews on pluralism in Israel

22/09/2016 23:08

A significant development in the arena of religion and state is a recent study conducted by the Jerusalem Post and the AJC of U.S. and Israeli Jewish public opinion, which was published last Friday. Following is Hiddush's analysis:

Knesset expedites reversal of core curricular studies law

Knesset expedites reversal of core curricular studies law

26/07/2016 23:53

The Knesset reverses a law that would have reduced funding for ultra-Orthodox schools that teach only minimal core subjects, such as math, English, and science.

Anti-democratic rabbinic appointments in the Jewish State

Anti-democratic rabbinic appointments in the Jewish State

18/07/2016 18:36

Last week we were sensitized once again to the pitfalls of State empowered and appointed rabbinic authorities, with the appointments of a new Military Chief Rabbi and rabbinic judges to Israel's Rabbinic Court of Appeal.

Ultra-Orthodox newspaper portrays Reform Jews as donkeys

Ultra-Orthodox newspaper portrays Reform Jews as donkeys

24/06/2016 12:40

Yated Ne'eman is the newspaper of the Degel HaTorah party, which sits in PM Netanyahu's Coalition. They think of Reform Jews as donkeys, and of the Supreme Court as a dangerous political player, which equates "true" Judaism with donkeys posing as Jews.

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