Democracy & Rights

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Is the Orthodox Halacha in the USA different than it is in Israel?

Is the Orthodox Halacha in the USA different than it is in Israel?

07/06/2023 12:03

The Halacha is the Halacha is the Halacha!

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Landmark Supreme Court Religion-State Rulings

Landmark Supreme Court Religion-State Rulings

Uri Regev 15/07/2021 12:55

This week, the Supreme Court handed down two landmark rulings on cases in the arena of religion and state, which have been pending for years. Once announced, they generated the expected outpouring of reactions.

Hiddush in the legal trenches

Hiddush in the legal trenches

Uri Regev 14/07/2021 00:34

Hiddush has initiated legal action in two instances of abuse by Haredi outreach operations infringing upon the rights and lives of residents of neighboring buildings.

MK Rabbi Kariv and Reform Judaism – like pigs

MK Rabbi Kariv and Reform Judaism – like pigs

Uri Regev 01/07/2021 23:30

The political discourse has descended to new lows this week. United Torah Judaism MK Meir Porush likened Reform Jews and Labor MK Gilad Kariv, a Reform rabbi, to pigs. He spoke in reaction to the appointment of Kariv as chairman of the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee.

Chief Rabbi Yosef: Science, math are nonsense

Chief Rabbi Yosef: Science, math are nonsense

01/07/2021 13:04

Every week we receive reminders that the Chief Rabbinate's institution poses a danger to the State of Israel. This time it is the Chief Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef, the son of the late Chief Rabbi and Shas leader, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef.

Religion, State, and the New Government

Religion, State, and the New Government

Uri Regev 17/06/2021 01:39

Writing about this subject raises the known question as to what we should be looking at: the half-full cup, or the half-empty cup?

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.

What else is important RE: the Meron tragedy investigation?

What else is important RE: the Meron tragedy investigation?

Uri Regev 03/06/2021 22:46

The political and rabbinical ultra-Orthodox leadership are still preventing the appointment of a state investigation commission. Their objections are anchored, to a great degree, in an offhand rejection of the legitimacy of the civil judicial system in general and of the Supreme Justices in particular, as we have repeatedly outlined here.

59% of Israeli public opposes ultra-Orthodox parties in coalition

59% of Israeli public opposes ultra-Orthodox parties in coalition

01/06/2021 21:59

Against the background of the “change government” that is taking shape and news regarding Bennet and Lapid hoping to add the ultra-Orthodox to their coalition, the question as to whether the ultra-Orthodox parties should be included in the coalition arises again.

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%).

Hiddush in the legal trenches

Hiddush in the legal trenches

Uri Regev 20/05/2021 19:08

Last week, Hiddush filed a petition in the Supreme Court on behalf of itself; the Israel Women’s Network; NA’AMAT; the Rackman Center; and Women Lawyers for Social Justice to ensure adequate gender representation for women on Religious Councils and senior oversight appointments.

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.

Beware of fighting words!

Beware of fighting words!

22/04/2021 01:48

A group of Christian leading clergy recently published a proclamation, calling upon the leaders of the Democratic Party to “be careful about appointing Jewish politicians to the Biden Administration, for they have nationalistic Jewish loyalty and affinity for the State of Israel.”

Israel Independence Day according to Haredi media

Israel Independence Day according to Haredi media

Uri Regev 21/04/2021 01:10

Two front page pictures, that of the front page of Yaded Ne’eman and of Yediot Aharonot, on Israel’s Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers, which is also the eve of Yom Ha’atzmaut, tell the whole story. A government that prides itself as being Zionistic, relies on ultra-Orthodox politicians that are cynical and anti-Zionistic, aiming to extort State funds, enforce religious coercion and undermine Zionism.

So, who owns Judaism?

So, who owns Judaism?

Uri Regev 08/04/2021 01:36

MK Israel Eichler [United Torah Judaism] had this to say yesterday about the new Labor MK, Rabbi Gilad Kariv when the new MKs were sworn in and the new Knesset launched its anticipated stormy, possibly short lived, term. Kariv was, until recently, the Executive Director of the Israeli Reform Movement, and Eichler’s vitriol is not directed against him personally, but rather against all Judaism’s liberal streams:

The elections and the Jewish-Arab and secular-Haredi tensions

The elections and the Jewish-Arab and secular-Haredi tensions

08/04/2021 01:28

A survey conducted by the Israel Democracy Institute several days after the election revealed the depth of dissatisfaction of the majority of the Israeli public with the election results. Two-thirds of the public is dissatisfied with the results [including the majority of Jewish voters for the right, left and center parties] and 80% believe that Israel is facing its fifth round of elections in the coming year.

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