UPJ lauds Kotel U-turn
THE Union for Progressive Judaism (UPJ) has said it is encouraged by what it sees as a groundswell of support in Israel for egalitarian access to the Kotel after several hundred worshippers, including women wearing tallits and tefillin, prayed at the Western Wall behind police protection.
THE Union for Progressive Judaism (UPJ) has said it is encouraged by what it sees as a groundswell of support in Israel for egalitarian access to the Kotel after several hundred worshippers, including women wearing tallits and tefillin, prayed at the Western Wall behind police protection.
UPJ executive director Steve Denenberg told The AJN: “The fact that an overwhelming percentage of secular, Progressive and Orthodox Israelis interviewed over the weekend support the Women of the Wall (WoW) further endorses our view that the acceptance of pluralistic Judaism is an inevitable step in Israel’s continuing maturity and inclusiveness.
“While we acknowledge that there is still some way to go, the recognition of Progressive rabbis, the determination to provide a space for egalitarian prayer at the Kotel, and the continuing refusal to allow women to be banned from the public sphere of society, are all signs that Israel is acknowledging that the previous situation was not only contrary to the Declaration of Independence, but was illogical and unacceptable in such a democratic and open society.”
Denenberg’s comments followed skirmishes at the Kotel last Friday, when around 2000 ultra-Orthodox followers congregated at the prayer site to try to block WoW members from the Wall.
The female worshippers conducted their Rosh Chodesh service after legal developments suggested a watershed moment had been reached in their 24-year struggle for egalitarian prayers at the Kotel.
Last week, Israel’s Attorney-General decided not to appeal an April 24 ruling in the Jerusalem District Court that police had overstepped their powers in enforcing a 2003 judgement upholding Orthodox tradition at the Kotel.
As the WoW worshippers left the site, they were attacked by ultra-Orthodox demonstrators. Police arrested three of the protesters. It marks a dramatic change – just a few months ago police arrested WoW chair Anat Hoffman and four female colleagues for participating in the same kind of worship.
Denenberg said: “It is deeply regrettable that any prayer service, and particularly one at the Kotel, should be accompanied by violence and hatred.”
PETER KOHN
Female worshippers at the Kotel (Copyright: EDGAR ASHER – ASHERNET Reference: (5958)
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