https://hiddush.org/subchannel-50-0-The_Western_Wall.aspx This is an RSS update from channel The Western Wall on Hiddush website Sun, 05 Apr 2026 19:11:47 GMT He-il https://hiddush.org/article-23568-0-The_Women_of_the_Wall_want_to_destroy_the_Holy_of_Holies_Really.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-23568-0-The_Women_of_the_Wall_want_to_destroy_the_Holy_of_Holies_Really.aspx Thu, 14 Jul 2022 18:07:00 GMT Likud MK Miri Regev's campaign clip illustrates the willingness to embrace ultra-Orthodox doctrines which conflict with the foundations of Western democracy, and which are contrary to the will of the majority of the public who seek to advance freedom of religion and conscience in Israel. https://hiddush.org/article-23564-0-Just_when_you_thought_they_cant_sink_lower.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-23564-0-Just_when_you_thought_they_cant_sink_lower.aspx Thu, 30 Jun 2022 17:04:00 GMT The son of MK Pindrus, secretary general of the Degel HaTorah party, who is one of those leading attacks in the vilest language on the Bennett / Lapid government, on Reform and Conservative Judaism and on the Supreme Court, led a shocking display of behavior today at the "Ezrat Yisrael" plaza next to the Western Wall, intended for egalitarian prayers of the liberal Jewish denominations. https://hiddush.org/article-23541-0-What_will_the_monthly_clash_over_the_Kotel_be_like_tomorrow.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-23541-0-What_will_the_monthly_clash_over_the_Kotel_be_like_tomorrow.aspx Thu, 03 Mar 2022 20:41:00 GMT The executives of the American Reform and Conservative movements, Rabbis Rick Jacobs and Jacob Blumenthal, arrived in Israel for the JAFI board meetings; and they have scheduled multiple meetings with Israeli political leaders from Prime Minister Bennett down. https://hiddush.org/article-23523-0-Extremism_and_outright_deceit.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-23523-0-Extremism_and_outright_deceit.aspx Thu, 11 Nov 2021 19:44:00 GMT A picture is worth a thousand words. This photo, which was posted by the Women of the Wall, show the Chairwoman of WOW Anat Hoffman and its former director Lesley Sachs sitting on the ground and protecting the Torah scroll, which they intended on bringing into the women’s section of the Kotel so that their fellow worshippers could read from the Torah during this Rosh Chodesh service, which they have been holding, without fail, for over thirty years. https://hiddush.org/article-23517-0-The_Haredi_vitriol_An_ongoing_saga.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-23517-0-The_Haredi_vitriol_An_ongoing_saga.aspx Thu, 14 Oct 2021 20:32:00 GMT In the last newsletter, we wrote about “the obsession that characterizes the attitude of the ultra-Orthodox parties towards the non-Orthodox denominations in particular, and to freedom of religion and Jewish pluralism in general.” https://hiddush.org/article-23496-0-Joint_statement_protesting_desecration_of_siddurim_at_the_Kotel.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-23496-0-Joint_statement_protesting_desecration_of_siddurim_at_the_Kotel.aspx Mon, 14 Jun 2021 20:58:00 GMT 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. https://hiddush.org/article-22147-0-The_Kotel_controversy.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-22147-0-The_Kotel_controversy.aspx Fri, 03 Nov 2017 01:21:00 GMT Many are following the twists and turns of the Kotel controversy with great interest and often anxiety. While grateful to the Jewish Week for featuring his take on the current state of the controversy, Rabbi Uri Regev feels that further contextualization and explanation is needed beyond the quotes that were reported. https://hiddush.org/article-22133-0-The_Bitter_Taste_of_Victory__by_Rabbi_Pamela_Frydman.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-22133-0-The_Bitter_Taste_of_Victory__by_Rabbi_Pamela_Frydman.aspx Thu, 07 Sep 2017 13:19:00 GMT On August 31st, the Israeli Supreme Court took up a matter brought by Hiddush, Women of the Wall and the Reform and Conservative Movements. The issue at hand is whether to require the government to adhere to, and implement, the Kotel agreement. https://hiddush.org/article-22131-0-‘Game_Of_Chicken’_On_Kotel_Deal.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-22131-0-‘Game_Of_Chicken’_On_Kotel_Deal.aspx Thu, 07 Sep 2017 12:48:00 GMT Despite high court’s deadline, few expect egalitarian prayer pact to be implemented anytime soon. https://hiddush.org/article-17123-0-Twothirds_Israelis_oppose_government_Kotel_and_Conversion_decisions.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-17123-0-Twothirds_Israelis_oppose_government_Kotel_and_Conversion_decisions.aspx Thu, 29 Jun 2017 11:03:00 GMT These Hiddush survey findings prove how far the government has swerved away from the public will and the needs of the State of Israel. Instead, the government leaders act as puppets whose strings are being pulled by the anti-Zionist, ultra-Orthodox political parties. https://hiddush.org/article-17124-0-Politicians_who_degrade_the_Diaspora_shouldnt_seek_support_in_its_communities.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-17124-0-Politicians_who_degrade_the_Diaspora_shouldnt_seek_support_in_its_communities.aspx Wed, 28 Jun 2017 21:30:00 GMT If you weren't on Mars this week, there is high likelihood that you are aware of the fierce storms engulfing Israel and world Jewry under the blazing summer sun. Every self-respecting Jewish organization issued a statement, and the language ranged from dismay to deplore, although most were lacking when it came to taking action. https://hiddush.org/article-17122-0-Three_battle_fronts_The_Kotel_Conversion_and_Shabbat.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-17122-0-Three_battle_fronts_The_Kotel_Conversion_and_Shabbat.aspx Mon, 26 Jun 2017 16:47:00 GMT Israel's religion and state conflict is viewed as a key component of shaping Israel's path. Recent days have provided us with a good cross section of the scope, depth, motivations, impact, and potential consequences of this ongoing saga. https://hiddush.org/article-17064-0-US_Reform_leadership_meets_with_PM_Netanyahu.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-17064-0-US_Reform_leadership_meets_with_PM_Netanyahu.aspx Wed, 15 Mar 2017 01:24:00 GMT The Prime Minister must either stop the incitement against non-Orthodox Judaism from within his own government or sever his political alliance with those who wage war against world Jewry and block Netanyhu's own public commitment to ensure that all Jews feel at home in Israel. https://hiddush.org/article-17043-0-62_of_Israelis_support_womens_Torah_reading_at_Western_Wall.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-17043-0-62_of_Israelis_support_womens_Torah_reading_at_Western_Wall.aspx Wed, 11 Jan 2017 09:30:00 GMT Following the Supreme Court’s issuance of a Show Cause Order to the Government regarding the prohibition against women’s Torah readings at the Western Wall: Among secular Israelis 86% expressed their support, as did 61% of the traditional Jewish community. https://hiddush.org/article-17024-0-69_of_Jewish_Israelis_support_womens_candle_lighting_ceremonies_at_Kotel.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-17024-0-69_of_Jewish_Israelis_support_womens_candle_lighting_ceremonies_at_Kotel.aspx Tue, 27 Dec 2016 08:48:00 GMT 69% of Jewish Israelis favor allowing women to light Chanukah candles at the Western Wall. This principled position also enjoys a high level of support among voters for the non-Haredi Coalition parties. https://hiddush.org/article-17020-0-Bill_would_anchor_Orthodox_practice_in_law_at_the_Western_Wall.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-17020-0-Bill_would_anchor_Orthodox_practice_in_law_at_the_Western_Wall.aspx Thu, 15 Dec 2016 08:26:00 GMT Lawmakers from Shas and United Torah Judaism, as well as Likud’s Oren Hazan, David Amsalem and Miki Zohar and Jewish Home’s Betzalel Smotrich, Moti Yogev, and Nissan Slomianksy, have endorsed the proposed legislation, officially lodged on Sunday, that would anchor Orthodox practice in law throughout the entire Western Wall vicinity. https://hiddush.org/article-17016-0-Shas_Party_proposes_a_bill_to_outlaw_mixed_prayer_at_Western_Wall.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-17016-0-Shas_Party_proposes_a_bill_to_outlaw_mixed_prayer_at_Western_Wall.aspx Thu, 01 Dec 2016 12:58:00 GMT The Shas party declared on Monday that it would propose a bill that would make it illegal to hold pluralistic prayer services at the Western Wall plaza. https://hiddush.org/article-17008-0-Knesset_Internal_Affairs_Committee_Chair_stoops_even_lower.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-17008-0-Knesset_Internal_Affairs_Committee_Chair_stoops_even_lower.aspx Fri, 18 Nov 2016 11:51:00 GMT 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. https://hiddush.org/article-17007-0-MK_Amsalems_ugly_disdain_for_Diaspora_Jewry.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-17007-0-MK_Amsalems_ugly_disdain_for_Diaspora_Jewry.aspx Tue, 08 Nov 2016 12:04:00 GMT We who truly care about Israel's well-being and bond with world Jewry must not continue tolerating such contempt for (and humiliation of) Diaspora Jewry and the largest Jewish religious streams at the hands of the leaders of the parties that serve in his Government Coalition. https://hiddush.org/article-17006-0-PM_to_Diaspora_Jews_Be_Patient_We_say_NO.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-17006-0-PM_to_Diaspora_Jews_Be_Patient_We_say_NO.aspx Fri, 04 Nov 2016 09:17:00 GMT Hiddush's simple, straightforward review of the comments regarding the Western Wall made by the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the Knesset, and the Head of the Opposition during the Jewish Agency's Board of Governors meeting this week, teaches us much about how Israel's political leadership prefers to deal with crises in Israel's relations to the Diaspora: it's called "Damage Control." https://hiddush.org/article-16909-0-A_Missed_Opportunity_to_Support_Secular_Life_in_Israel.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-16909-0-A_Missed_Opportunity_to_Support_Secular_Life_in_Israel.aspx Fri, 06 May 2016 10:44:00 GMT The rabbinate sees itself as waging a culture war, and it has been winning. Since the state’s founding rabbinic power thwarts the development of a secular conception of citizenship. Hiddush polled Israeli Jews and found that 71% support the freedom to marry and divorce independent of the Orthodox rabbinate. https://hiddush.org/article-16891-0-Minister_Azoulay_heeds_his_rabbis_rather_than_his_government.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-16891-0-Minister_Azoulay_heeds_his_rabbis_rather_than_his_government.aspx Fri, 06 May 2016 09:20:00 GMT It has almost become a painful routine to update our readers on the all too frequent outrageous statements made by Israel's ultra-orthodox cabinet members and MKs, which go against all commonly accepted norms of rule of law and democracy. https://hiddush.org/article-16875-0-71_Israeli_Jews_attach_importance_to_marriage__divorce_freedom.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-16875-0-71_Israeli_Jews_attach_importance_to_marriage__divorce_freedom.aspx Tue, 12 Apr 2016 12:14:00 GMT 60% of the Jewish Israeli public supports the involvement of American Jewish organizations in advancing marriage freedom in Israel. There is no doubt that for Israelis – breaking the yoke of the fundamentalist Orthodox Rabbinate in marriage and divorce is a top priority among the religion/state battles. Israelis welcome American Jewish partnership in advancing this cause, both for the sake of Israel and for the sake of world Jewry! https://hiddush.org/article-16851-0-Updates_the_Kotel_agreement__Supreme_Court_mikvaot_ruling.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-16851-0-Updates_the_Kotel_agreement__Supreme_Court_mikvaot_ruling.aspx Mon, 21 Mar 2016 12:39:00 GMT In the last week, there have been a number of developments in the ultra-Orthodox political and rabbinical leadership's battle against the implementation of the Kotel agreement, as well as their battle against the Supreme Court's ruling to make Israel's public mikva'ot available for non-Orthodox conversion ceremonies. https://hiddush.org/article-16849-0-Israel_pushed_towards_theocracy.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-16849-0-Israel_pushed_towards_theocracy.aspx Tue, 15 Mar 2016 19:36:00 GMT Minister Rabbi Litzman: "Netanyahu either loves the Reform Jews of the Diaspora, or the Haredim of Israel; it's either-or. There are no two ways about it... The Supreme Court is destroying everything good related to religion & state, and... the only way to stand against it is by passing legislation." https://hiddush.org/article-16845-0-The_Kotel_Agreement_–_Multiple_Perspectives.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-16845-0-The_Kotel_Agreement_–_Multiple_Perspectives.aspx Wed, 24 Feb 2016 13:25:00 GMT The picture that emerges now is fuller and more complex. On the side of those involved in reaching the agreement, additional perspectives have been emerging. Below, we will attempt to organize the primary views and arguments that were heard following the agreement, both pro, con, and those in-between. https://hiddush.org/article-16809-0-After_Kotel_compromise_dramatic_changes_still_needed.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-16809-0-After_Kotel_compromise_dramatic_changes_still_needed.aspx Wed, 03 Feb 2016 08:50:00 GMT The progress made over the Kotel should convince communal leaders that we need to further engage in the religion-state clash, and that Israelis need support in advancing the Jewish state’s own core founding principles of religious freedom and equality for all. https://hiddush.org/article-16808-0-Is_the_Kotel_Deal_Merely_a_Fig_Leaf_For_Rabbinic_Tyranny.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-16808-0-Is_the_Kotel_Deal_Merely_a_Fig_Leaf_For_Rabbinic_Tyranny.aspx Tue, 02 Feb 2016 07:29:00 GMT The historic Kotel Agreement represents laudable progress in Israel’s stormy sea of religion, state and politics, but it is important to remember that the issue of prayer at the Kotel is only one of many in the arena of ​​religious freedom. We do not have the luxury of sitting back and relishing this. https://hiddush.org/article-2553-0-Women_of_the_Walls_historic_decision_will_reshape_the_future_of_the_Western_Wall.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-2553-0-Women_of_the_Walls_historic_decision_will_reshape_the_future_of_the_Western_Wall.aspx Tue, 08 Oct 2013 15:39:00 GMT The decision to move Women of the Wall's prayer space from the women's area of the Western Wall to an egalitarian area will end this conflict and allow the Israeli government to approach the religion and state crisis in a more thorough manner. https://hiddush.org/article-2540-0-Guide_dogs_at_the_Kotel_The_latest_battle_for_freedom_of_religion_at_the_Western_Wall.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-2540-0-Guide_dogs_at_the_Kotel_The_latest_battle_for_freedom_of_religion_at_the_Western_Wall.aspx Sun, 15 Sep 2013 12:44:00 GMT Despite the ban on guide dogs at the Western Wall, Rabbi Uri Regev's call for support and tolerance for the handicapped is joined by Knesset Member Karin Elharar and Orthodox Rabbi Benny Lau https://hiddush.org/article-2524-0-The_MendelblitBennett_plan_for_Western_Wall_perpetuates_gender_and_religious_discrimination.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-2524-0-The_MendelblitBennett_plan_for_Western_Wall_perpetuates_gender_and_religious_discrimination.aspx Sun, 01 Sep 2013 09:39:00 GMT Hiddush CEO Rabbi Uri Regev swiftly responded to the Ministry of Religious Services' newly-installed prayer platform under the Western Wall plaza as a danger to Israel's own interests. https://hiddush.org/article-2424-0-Latest_arrests_of_Women_of_the_Wall_Continue_Despicable_Tradition.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-2424-0-Latest_arrests_of_Women_of_the_Wall_Continue_Despicable_Tradition.aspx Mon, 11 Feb 2013 13:03:00 GMT 10 women from Women of the Wall were detained for interrogation after finishing their prayers at the Kotel in honor of the new Jewish month. https://hiddush.org/article-2397-0-Arresting_WOW_Leaders_isnt_the_Answer.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-2397-0-Arresting_WOW_Leaders_isnt_the_Answer.aspx Tue, 23 Oct 2012 22:25:00 GMT On October 16th, Anat Hoffman of "Women of the Wall" was arrested as she led a monthly Rosh Hodesh prayer service at the Western Wall. On November 15th, six WOW leaders were detained. It's time to face the bigger picture. https://hiddush.org/article-2268-0-US_State_Department_reports_limitations_on_religious_freedom_despite_opposition_from_most_citizens.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-2268-0-US_State_Department_reports_limitations_on_religious_freedom_despite_opposition_from_most_citizens.aspx Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:06:00 GMT The U.S. State Department 2010 Report on International Religious Freedom sites increasing tension in Israeli society between secular and ultra-Orthodox citizens on issues such as housing allocations, military service exemptions and allocations for religious institutions of study. The report also lists a series of cases of violence against women in terms of extreme demands for modest dress and gender separation. https://hiddush.org/article-2255-0-Signs_in_Mea_She’arim_“No_Entry_for_Men_in_Uniform”.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-2255-0-Signs_in_Mea_She’arim_“No_Entry_for_Men_in_Uniform”.aspx Thu, 08 Sep 2011 12:42:00 GMT Ultra-Orthodox wall ads blatantly express their distaste for soldiers. On Haredi site “Kikar Shabbat,” new ads are dubbed “new low for Mea She’arim.” https://hiddush.org/article-2218-0-The_Lesson_Ram_Emmanuel_Learned_in_the_Holy_Land.aspx https://hiddush.org/article-2218-0-The_Lesson_Ram_Emmanuel_Learned_in_the_Holy_Land.aspx Sun, 30 May 2010 08:33:00 GMT Haredim control the area around the Kotel (Western Wall), and anyone whose Judaism is a little different cannot celebrate his Bar Mitzvah there except in the way that they dictate. The White House Chief of Staff got an illustration of the violation of the freedom of religion in Israel.