Hiddush News, October-December 2015

Hiddush News, October-December 2015

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The state rabbinate enforces illegal, discriminatory anti-Christmas policy in hotels

The ban on placing Christmas trees in hotels is but one example of the many ways that the rabbinate disregards the law and extorts submission to its norms in breach of the law.

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The state rabbinate enforces illegal, discriminatory anti-Christmas policy in hotels

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Will Orthodox Israelis’ revolt against the chief rabbinate spur a domino effect?

An in-depth look at a year of shifting sands in the notorious historical status quo of religion and state in the Holy Land

Will Orthodox Israelis’ revolt against the chief rabbinate spur a domino effect?

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Government approves affirmative action for haredi men and women in civil service

Among the steps that will be taken to increase haredi employment in civil service will be a campaign to increase exposure of haredi community to employment possibilities in public service.

Government approves affirmative action for haredi men and women in civil service

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Chief Rabbi’s rebuke is divisive

Last week, Chief Rabbi of Israel David Lau publicly rebuked Naftali Bennett, Israel’s minister of education and Diaspora affairs. Bennett’s religious sin, per Lau, was visiting the Solomon Schechter School of Manhattan, and tweeting an enthusiastic reflection of the school and the love for Israel and Judaism that he had seen there.

Chief Rabbi’s rebuke is divisive

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Religious fundamentalism is against Jewish diversity

Israel's leaders are presenting a dichotomic view of Israel's Jewish character.

Religious fundamentalism is against Jewish diversity

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Let women light Hanukkah candles at Western Wall, Israeli official says

Women must be allowed to light Hanukkah candles and say a prayer at the official candle-lighting ceremony at the Western Wall when the Jewish festival of Hanukkah begins on Sunday (Dec. 6), Israel’s deputy attorney general said this week.

Let women light Hanukkah candles at Western Wall, Israeli official says

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Poll: 76% of Israeli Jews oppose new draft bill

The Knesset approved the new version of the military draft bill, meaning draft equality will not be possible before the year 2023. A majority of the Jewish public opposes the bill, including some right-wing voters.

Poll: 76% of Israeli Jews oppose new draft bill

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Jennifer Lawrence Deemed Unkosher for Jerusalem, Bnei Brak

The image of the actress has been removed for posters for the final film in the 'Hunger Games' series hung in the ultra-Orthodox populated cities.

Jennifer Lawrence Deemed Unkosher for Jerusalem, Bnei Brak

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Trip to Bay Area for Israeli religious freedom rabbi will include a special father-son moment

Rabbi Uri Regev, the chief executive of Hiddush, an organization that promotes religious pluralism and freedom in Israel, will speak at seven synagogues in nine days during a trip to the Bay Area that starts this weekend.

Trip to Bay Area for Israeli religious freedom rabbi will include a special father-son moment

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What Will Netanyahu’s Big Promise to Reform and Conservative Jews Cost Israel?

If the prime minister wants to make good on his pledge to strengthen non-Orthodox Judaism in Israel, he will have to close the huge gap in state financing that favors the Orthodox movement.

What Will Netanyahu’s Big Promise to Reform and Conservative Jews Cost Israel?

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Defense Ministry: Haredi enlistment targets of current conscription law not being met

Enlistment to the civilian service was a critical component of the 2014 law, and was expected to make up 40 percent of recruitment from the haredi sector.

Defense Ministry: Haredi enlistment targets of current conscription law not being met

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Open on Shabbat: Israel’s fray of rest

Cities are riding roughshod over the bylaws that are designed to protect the special nature of sabbath in the world’s only Jewish state, prompting concerns over discrimination, selective enforcement, and an eroding national identity

Open on Shabbat: Israel’s fray of rest

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Israeli marriages, American Jews, and Israel’s security

In the midst of all that has been going on in Israel, you might wonder why the AJC/J-REC mission to Israel to join Israeli counterparts in a push for alternatives to marriages approved by the Chief Rabbinate is important just now.

Israeli marriages, American Jews, and Israel’s security

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