Cabinet Approves ‘Historic’ Decision to Create Western Wall Egalitarian Prayer Space

The decision was hailed as an historic landmark for Jewish pluralism and non-Orthodox movements in Israel. More liberal Reform and Conservative streams of Judaism are dominant in the USA. But they still have very little political backing, and authorities have generally tended to regard them as a somewhat alien offshoot imported from North America that does not mesh with how religion is typically practiced in Israel. The plan for expansion would make an area of the site a place for both non-Orthodox and Orthodox ceremonies, even for singing (strict Orthodox does not allow women to sing in public).

Under the compromise approved by the Cabinet-with the five representatives of Orthodox parties outvoted by 15 non-Orthodox ministers-the existing prayer area will remain unchanged, with separate areas for men and women.

The space near the main prayer plaza abutting the wall will allow for practices frowned upon by Orthodox Israeli rabbinate, such as women and men praying together without a partition.

“Today the government of Israel recognized the diversity of Judaism around the world and partnered with us to co-create a space where all can pray at Judaism’s most holy site”, said Rabbi Steven Wernick, CEO of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, which has been lobbying for a shared prayer space for more than two decades.

The Western Wall, a remnant of the ancient Jewish Temple complex, is the holiest site where Jews may pray.

Women of the Wall negotiated officially recognizing the prayer site as mixed-gender.

A Jewish woman wears a prayer shawl as she prays at the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray in Jerusalem’s Old City.

“While MK Gafni may have religious disagreements with Reform Jews, he represents Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government”, Ruderman said.

No, the segregated part of the Kotel isn’t the part of the western retaining wall that is closest to where the Temple stood; that part is underground, accessible through the tunnels.

“In Judaism there is only one stream – the religious path of Moses and Israel”, Deri, who is also chairman of the Sefardi haredi Shas Party, said, according a report on the radio interview published by Arutz Sheva.

The controversial plan is also opposed by ultra-Orthodox lawmakers, who announced they intend to block funding for it.

The new rules will put the egalitarian area under control of a new group.

“By approving this plan, the state acknowledges women’s full equality and autonomy at the Kotel [the Western Wall] and the imperative of freedom of choice in Judaism in Israel”, Women of the Wall spokeswoman Shira Pruce told The Guardian. While in our poll, Israeli respondents see affiliated American Jews as 32 percent Reform, 12 percent Conservative and 17 percent Orthodox, the 2013 Pew study found 40 percent Reform, 22 percent Conservative and only 12 percent Orthodox.

Behind some dismissive statements and controversial actions by members of Israel’s government, average Israelis genuinely value the involvement of American Jews.

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