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“Who is a Jew” is Back!

“Who is a Jew” is Back!

In recent days, there have been reports in the media from the coalition negotiation rooms that the Likud has accepted the demand of the ultra-Orthodox parties to change the law in a way that will prevent those who converted in Israel outside the Chief Rabbinate from receiving recognition as Jews, even at the civil level. This is not only a change to a long-standing ruling recognizing Reform and Conservative conversions in Israel, but also a step that is directed against Modern Orthodox conversions from the past few years, which are aimed at facilitating conversions of immigrants from the former Soviet Union.


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Hiddush presents: Marriage freedom by the numbers

Hiddush presents: Marriage freedom by the numbers

Hiddush released its new presentation titled, 'Marriage Freedom in Israel: by the Numbers,' which provides answers to the questions most often asked about the condition of marriage freedom in Israel, and related issues. Shahar Ilan, the Hiddush VP of Research and Information, presented the data at the meeting of the Knesset's Peoplehood, Religion, & State Caucus.

Hiddush makes progress on military burial rights for IDF soldiers

Hiddush makes progress on military burial rights for IDF soldiers

Once again, Hiddush is impacting on Israeli governmental policies, advancing religious freedom and equality. This time – it’s about a very painful and sensitive issue: burial of fallen soldiers. Last week we were informed of the acceptance of our demands (although we will have to follow the implementation, as we know from past experience…).

The Chief Rabbinate's anti-Christmas policy

The Chief Rabbinate's anti-Christmas policy

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.

Israel's Rabbinate coerces and discriminates in hotels

Israel's Rabbinate coerces and discriminates in hotels

Despite officially and publicly updating its kashrut regulations for hotels this year, in order to be in compliance with the law, Israel's Rabbinate continues to coerce hotels to enforce Shabbat restrictions and its illegal ban against all Christian holiday symbols.

Israel's theocratic elements becoming more violent and vocal

Israel's theocratic elements becoming more violent and vocal

The formula "Jewish and democratic" remains not only unsettled, but actually serves as a mine field. Frequent explosions occur, for religious extremists feeling constrained do not hesitate to threaten the institutions of the State to have their demands met.

Chief Rabbinate perverting Sukkot with religious bigotry

Chief Rabbinate perverting Sukkot with religious bigotry

Only one year ago, Chief Rabbi Lau self-righteously preached to the Pope, proclaiming Israel's greatness in protection of religious freedom, and now he himself aimed to curtail Christian prayer services in Jerusalem.

Analysis of Israelis from the Former Soviet Union

Analysis of Israelis from the Former Soviet Union

The graphs below show the opinions held by FSU olim in Israel, as compared to the general, Jewish Israeli public. It should go without saying that this demographic is the most adversely affected by the Orthodox Rabbinate's monopolistic powers, and there is no way one could envisage the successful absorption of the FSU immigrant population into Israel society if these issues are not resolved - first and foremost, the right to marry freely!

Supreme Court hears Hiddush petition against coercive rabbinical court

Supreme Court hears Hiddush petition against coercive rabbinical court

Justice Mazuz: “The ‘Writs of Refusal’ are intended to deny a person his rights as a man and a citizen by blocking his/her way to State institutions (i.e. - the courts) that can render him remedy in realizing his rights.”

Support for public transporation on Shabbat at highest level ever

Support for public transporation on Shabbat at highest level ever

What gives Israel its Jewish character? Is it liberty, justice and peace, as taught by the Hebrew Prophets, or is it the lack of public transportation on Shabbat, which greatly restricts the weakest sectors of Israeli society?

Israel's High Court Unanimously Agrees with Hiddush

Israel's High Court Unanimously Agrees with Hiddush

November 12 marked a major, promising step in our battles that will surely become a landmark legal case on the road to ensuring Israel’s identity as a Jewish and democratic state. Privately issued "writs of refusal" excommunicating those who turn to Israel's legal system for justice are illegal - the private rabbinical courts continue acting illegally in defiance of the law.

Rabbi Shlomo Amar's Uncandid Candidacy

Rabbi Shlomo Amar's Uncandid Candidacy

Rabbi Shlomo Amar was elected Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Jerusalem after some back room wheeling and dealing. He invited Dr. Laura Wharton and Rabbi Bandel of Meretz over during the holiday of Sukkot to secure the Meretz vote, and then he claimed not to know them.

Christian intolerance towards the Jews of Huxley

Christian intolerance towards the Jews of Huxley

Jewish organizations, as expected, come to the defense of the Jewish community of Huxley, as Christian leaders attempt to ban their prayer event. But what would Jewish organizations do in the reverse situation?

Hiddush Releases 2014 Israel Religion and State Index; Strong desire for involvement of world Jewry in efforts for freedom of marriage

Hiddush Releases 2014 Israel Religion and State Index; Strong desire for involvement of world Jewry in efforts for freedom of marriage

Public support for freedom of religion and equality in Israel is rapidly growing. The vast majority of Israeli Jews support joint efforts between Israel and world Jewry for freedom of marriage in Israel.

The Israeli government's plan for the Room of the Last Supper sets a new paradigm for inter-religious harmony

The Israeli government's plan for the Room of the Last Supper sets a new paradigm for inter-religious harmony

Despite protests from fundamentalist religious groups, this decision could have a positive impact on interfaith relations in Israel.

"Israeli public schools will be able to choose non-Orthodox rabbis and lecturers to serve as Jewish educators for their students"

Hiddush reminds Education Minister Shai Piron of his commitment to Jewish pluralism to ensure public secular schools have a free choice in hiring Jewish educators

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