Sinai Scroll February 2010

Rabbi’s Message

The Western Wall in Jerusalem is one of the most cherished sites in our religious history. The wall is the remnant of the glorious temple that was the center of our life from the time of King Solomon until the beginning of the Roman exile. For many travelers to Israel, visiting the plaza at the Wall is a spiritual highlight.

For us as Reform Jews, however, there are grave concerns about this religious and historic place. The Orthodox rabbis who control the Wall have grown more and more prejudiced against the rights of women and non-Orthodox Jews to pray there. In November, a woman was arrested at the Wall for wearing a tallit and holding a Torah scroll. Early in January, my friend and colleague Anat Hoffman who is the director of the Israel Religious Action Center, has been interrogated by the police for praying out loud at the Wall. It is a frightening and distressing scene at one of our most treasured places.

When I was in Israel last February, I had the honor of worshipping at the Wall with the group Women of the Wall. This is a group that is working towards the time when there will be equal rights of participation at the Western Wall. Understand, the discrimination is not just about keeping men and women on opposite sides of a divider. Women are prohibited from holding Torah scrolls, from singing prayers out loud, and for otherwise participating in rituals and spiritual practices.

What can we do? First and foremost, I urge you to support the Israel Religious Action Center and the Women of the Wall. Go to www.irac.org or read http://womenofthewall.blogspot.com. If you are not connected on the web, let me know and I will provide you with more information on these important Israeli civil rights groups.

Second, join me in writing to Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren, and let him know that you hope for the Western Wall to be accessible to all who want to come and worship there. I can provide you with a copy of the letter I sent, which was adapted from a letter you will find on the IRAC site.

And third, consider joining our temple trip to Israel, planned for next July. Copies of the itinerary and other information is available on the temple website or in the temple office, and you will note that while we include the requisite visit to the Western Wall plaza, we have planned a special worship service at the area known as Robinson’s Arch. This is in the Southern Excavations…still part of the ancient Temple area, but around the corner from the Western Wall. It is a beautiful and historic site, and one with far fewer restrictions on how we may worship. Being there will also send a message to those who position the Western Wall as the most authentic place to pray but also restrict the kinds of prayer services that may take place there.

Israel is a remarkable place, where our religious life has achieved great heights, and I look forward to the day when all Jews will have equal rights to soar to those heights. I am grateful for the continued growth in our community’s relationship with those who live in Israel.

Rabbi Peter W. Stein