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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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Shas CEO cannot simultaneously be CEO of state-funded educational network

Shas CEO cannot simultaneously be CEO of state-funded educational network

Responding to Hiddush’s demand – Israel’s Attorney General instructs Shas that the party’s CEO, Haim Biton, cannot simultaneously direct the State-funded vast educational network it founded

The Imminent Political/Legal Explosion

The Imminent Political/Legal Explosion

The ultra-Orthodox parties have pushed hard on the Prime Minister in their coalition negotiations. The amendment to the Draft Law is the only issue of religion and state relations that is spelled out in detail, not only in the agreements of the ultra-Orthodox parties with the Likud, but also in the Likud's agreement with Blue & White.

Let Marriage Freedom Ring!

Let Marriage Freedom Ring!

Today, Hiddush began a new campaign to allow marriage freedom in Israel. This is a collaboration between Hiddush and the School of the Arts in Musrara, Jerusalem.

On the legal front

On the legal front

Hiddush's activism in the legal arena has continued in the face of the Covid-19 crisis, as Israel's new government has been settling in. There will be much to do in the face of the ultra-Orthodox party's stranglehold over Israel's religion-and-state arena!

Civil Burial in Israel – If You Will It, It Is No Dream

Civil Burial in Israel – If You Will It, It Is No Dream

In a petition heard in the Supreme Court last week, Hiddush - For Religious Freedom and Equality demanded that the Ministry of Religious Services and the Israel Lands Authority allow an immediately available option for civil burial to the public, in agricultural localities (kibbutzim and moshavim), at least temporarily, until a full and permanent solution is provided.

A coalition that will escalate Jewish disunity

A coalition that will escalate Jewish disunity

Netanyahu, Gantz and their partners know that this ongoing surrender to the ultra-Orthodox parties is in complete betrayal of the Israeli public’s will, including that of their own voters.

The State of Israel is but a Co-op Board

The State of Israel is but a Co-op Board

Reading the Ultra-Orthodox print and online media one would not have realized that Israel has just marked its most important national holiday, Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Day of Independence) and its only two official memorial days: Yom Hashoah and Yom Hazikaron.

Religion and state under Netanyahu's new government

Religion and state under Netanyahu's new government

This week, the Supreme Court unanimously rejected all of the petitions against Benjamin Netanyahu's continued tenure as prime minister due to the pending criminal charges against him, as well as those against the coalition agreement between the Likud and Blue & White.

Interview with CEO of UJA Federation New York

Interview with CEO of UJA Federation New York

An interview with Eric Goldstein, CEO of UJA Federation New York [ESG], regarding the complex relationship between American Jewry / the NY Jewish Federation and Israel, the attitude toward Haredim, pluralism, the non-Orthodox streams, religion and state, marriage and ‘Who is a Jew’. Kikar Ha’Shabat representative, Rabbi Benjamin Goldschmidt, conducted the interview [RBG].

Emergency government and national unity?

Emergency government and national unity?

On the eve of Holocaust Memorial Day, April 20, a coalition agreement “for the establishment of an emergency and national unity government” was signed between the Likud and Blue & White. We at Hiddush focus on matters of religion and state and the implications of the agreement on the challenges of freedom of religion and equality of civic burden.

Who doesn't recognize Holocaust Memorial Day?

Who doesn't recognize Holocaust Memorial Day?

It is difficult not to think about Israel’s religion and state conflict in the context of MK Mansour Abbas’s words on Holocaust Memorial Day. Unlike MK Abbas's impressive remarks, much of the ultra-Orthodox media did not address Holocaust Day, for its leaders refuse to recognize the date set by the Knesset to mark Israel’s memorial days.

What to expect of a Gantz-Netanyahu government

What to expect of a Gantz-Netanyahu government

Hiddush's response to the tremendous and impactful political upheaval that is taking place in Israel right now, with Benny Gantz agreeing to join a government led by Bibi Netanyahu.

B'nei Brak residents prohibited from driving home

B'nei Brak residents prohibited from driving home

Hiddush is handling a new request we received from a group of people, including seniors and some who are partially disabled, who have been living in Bnei Brak for decades, on a street that is home for both religious and secular residents.

What’s behind the spread of Coronavirus among Haredim?

What’s behind the spread of Coronavirus among Haredim?

Since Israel’s Coronavirus-related restrictions were announced, even until last night, it appears that Israel’s ultra-Orthodox population is inclined to ignore the guidelines of the health and police authorities, and there have been many cases of infection reported among this population.

Israeli elections: insights and lessons

Israeli elections: insights and lessons

Hiddush is non-partisan, and it does not take a stand regarding the political clash between the left- and right-wing, and we refrain from endorsing political parties or discouraging people from voting for any particular party. Our focus is solely on the pursuit of religious freedom and equality. With that in mind, some preliminary observations are important as we assess the significance and causes of the election outcome.

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