Vol. III – No. 5
e-masorti
Shevat 5764
Shevat 5764
February 2004
2004
Rabbinical Assembly Convention, Jerusalem - Special Edition
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| Vol. III – No. 5 |
e-masorti Shevat 5764 |
February 2004 |
2004
Rabbinical Assembly Convention, Jerusalem - Special Edition |
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In this month's edition
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The 2004 Rabbinical Assembly Convention is coming to a close today. Over 300 rabbis have come from abroad, not only to take part in the deliberations, but also to identify with Israel at this difficult time. Some of the rabbis have also brought with them congregants, on a solidarity mission. The Masorti Movement is indebted to the RA and its members for their ongoing staunch support of the Masorti Movement and its programs. During their convention, the RA rabbis not only visited Masorti congregations around the country, but also honored some of its members, raised money for Ramah-NOAM Summer Camp scholarships for immigrants, and discussed many subjects connected to the Movement. The RA also funded the production of an image film about Masorti, which was aired for the first time at the opening ceremony. Rabbis will be bringing back copies to their congregations and soon CDs of the film will be available from the Masorti Foundation in New York. I would also like to extend the Movement's thanks to the Masorti Travel Bureau (MTB), the official travel entity of the Masorti Movement, presided over by Nancy Gilbert of Florida. The MTB made all the travel arrangements for the Convention and the RA Congregants' Mission, and is available to organize creative and exciting tour programs to show you Israel, with the insider's edge. Shalom from Jerusalem, |
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Coming of Age – 25 years of the Masorti Movement in Israel
He explained, “Owing to the continued growth of the Movement, there is no need for theological justifications. It may even be preferable to avoid arguments on sensitive theological issues, which may only serve to complicate the Movement’s relationship with the official rabbinical authorities of the State, with haredi personalities and, perhaps, even with its own members and rabbis.” The Movement’s growth has been so dramatic, in fact, that we can no longer sidestep the necessity of articulating the Movement’s principles, and the goals toward which it aims. The decision of the Vaad Hatnuah (Movement Board) to formulate a document of principles and goals is an expression of the maturity we have reached and the self-confidence that we have attained over the last 25 years. We are proud of ourselves and feel that we not only have a message, but also a thirsty public who wish to hear it. We are not looking for any legitimization or “kashrut certificate” from the Orthodox rabbinical establishment. On the contrary, we are demanding our rights from State authorities, and wear our identity with dignity and honor. I am pleased with this development. Only in this way will we be able to realize our overall goal, as defined in the new document of principles: “To promote and strengthen a religious, communal and spiritual approach, combining faithfulness to Judaism, Zionism and Democracy, that will play a leading role in Israeli society and will contribute to Klal Yisrael .” |
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Masorti at center of 2004 RA Convention in Jerusalem The 104th Rabbinical Assembly Convention opened Monday, February 9, at the Inbal Hotel in Jerusalem. The Convention, usually held in North America, was last held in Israel in 1998. Over 300 rabbis from all over the world are participating in the conference, which will end this evening, Thursday, February 12, after examining the matzav (situation in Israel) from various perspectives, as well as discussing Rabbinical Assembly business. At the opening ceremony, Today’s Pioneers, a dynamic and gripping film about the Masorti Movement in Israel was aired for the first time. The production of the film was funded by a special donation to the RA and will serve the Movement’s public relations drive. Following the film, three Masorti activists and the Nahal Garinim(army units) of NOAM were awarded special honors by the RA (see RA honors Masorti activists , below). RA members spent Wednesday, February 11, visiting Masorti kehillot (congregations) all over Israel. Three different routes took RA rabbis to see the kehillot in the north, centre and south of Israel, and focused on the work they do in Israeli society. A highlight of the central route was a tour of Neve Tzedek and the site of Masorti’s future Jewish Cultural Center in Tel Aviv . Keynote speakers at this year’s convention included Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Yosef (Tomy) Lapid (Shinui), leader of the opposition Shimon Peres (Labor), Minister of Tourism Rabbi Benny Elon (Ha-ichud Ha-leumi), US Ambassador to Israel Daniel C. Kurtzer and Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel Sali Meridor. See the following articles about the RA Convention: |
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American rabbi detained by police during RA protest of Kotel Plaza construction After morning prayers at the Masorti Kotel (Robinson's Arch) on Tuesday, February 10, some 200 Conservative rabbis attending the 2004 Rabbinical Assembly Convention in Jerusalem, walked to the Western Wall Plaza. The rabbis went to assess the expansion of the segregated area in front of the Kotel, which will remove mixed groups of men and women even further from the Wall. To the full article and pictures, click here . Other articles on the subject: |
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At the opening ceremony of the 2004 Rabbinical Assembly Convention, the RA honored three Masorti Movement activists: David Ariel, Shoshana Ben-Dor and Avraham Hasson. David Ariel, a Holocaust survivor from Czechoslovakia, is the chair of the Netzach Israel Masorti Congregation in Ashkelon. He first reached Israel on the illegal immigration ship Exodus, only to be deported back to Europe. He returned in 1947, straight to the Haganah (pre-State army of the Jews in Palestine), and fought in the War of Independence, later serving as an officer in the IDF. David left the army in 1979, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, pursuing a career at Tnuva Dairies cooperative, retiring in 1994. Besides holding various positions in the Masorti Movement, David was also active in Nitzan, Akim and Beautiful Israel. Shoshana Ben-Dor, born in the USA and daughter of the late Rabbi David Bonder, is a member of the Maayanot Masorti Congregation in Jerusalem. She was among the founding members of the Egaliltarian Minyan and the Jerusalem Havurah, and is presently a member of the Movement’s Board. As an educationalist, Shoshana has been deeply involved in the aliya and absorption of Ethiopian Jews, serving as the North American Conference on Ethiopian Jewry director in Israel. Dr. Avraham Hasson, an immigrant from Syria, is the chair of the Hakrayot Masorti Congregation in Kiriat Bialik. Since joining, Avraham has been a mainstay of the kehillah, taking an active part in both prayers and giving lectures. He served on the Movement’s High Holiday Machzor Committee and has been active in the formulation of the Movement’s declaration of principles. A doctor of physics, Avraham works in RAFAEL-Armament Development Authority Ltd. , making a unique contribution to Israel’s defense. The RA also honored the Nahal Garinim of NOAM (army units), in which NOAM members combine their national service in the IDF with Tikkun Olam (social action) projects. |
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Knesset Education Committee calls for schools to invite Conservative rabbis The Knesset Education committee, in a unprecedented move in January, instructed the Ministry of Education to oblige [non-religious] State schools who invite an Orthodox rabbi to give a lecture, to also invite rabbis from the other streams of Judaism, as well as secular intellectuals. Committee chairman, Ilan Shalgi MK (Shinui), initiated discussions on rabbis’ lectures to schoolchildren, after already having requested last November that the Ministry of Education deal equally with the various streams of Judaism. Shalgi would like to encourage the exposure of Israeli schoolchildren to Reform and Conservative rabbis, as well as to the Orthodox and secular worlds that they already receive. Ministry director-general, Ronit Tirosh, at Shalgi’s initial request, sent a circular to schools saying that it was “desirable” to invite rabbis from other streams and secular intellectuals, when inviting a rabbi from any one particular stream. MK Shalgi, following up on the circular’s implementation, summoned representatives of the Ministry and the streams to the committee’s deliberations. Masorti president, Rabbi Ehud Bandel, declared at the Knesset committee meeting, “It’s not enough to say that it’s ‘desirable’ and only if a rabbi is invited from one stream. The Ministry of Education should initiate, encourage and even obligate the exposure of pupils in the State education system to the different streams of Judaism.” The Masorti Movement applauds the Knesset Education Committee for deciding that the Ministry should obligate State schools to invite rabbis from the various streams to explain their approach to Judaism. The Movement hopes that the Ministry will indeed implement this decision in all the State schools. See also: |
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Virtual Bet Midrash to offer studies in Hebrew as well as English The Bet Midrash Virtuali (BMV) is the Masorti Movement’s virtual study project on the Internet. From the end of this month, the BMV will also offer lessons in Hebrew, alongside its various English-language programs. The BMV’s Rabin Mishnah Study Group began its activities on the day of the burial of the late prime minister Yitzhak Rabin. A group of Internet friends decided to learn Mishnah, as is customary in a house of mourning, and approached Rabbi Simchah Roth, of the Torat Hayyim Masorti Congregation in Herzliya, to teach them online. Eight years on, the original ten participants have blossomed into many hundreds of Masorti/Conservative Jews all over the world who take a few minutes each day to study a little Mishnah. From Mexico City to Beijing, Amsterdam to Melbourne, Masorti/Conservative Jews are joining together in study. The online lessons started with tractate Kiddushin and, last week, the Rabin Mishnah Study Group finished their ninth one, Pe’ah . The subscribers are presently voting to decide the next tractate that they will study. The lessons arrive via e-mail, permitting the participant to study Jewish religious classics in the ambience of Masorti/Conservative Judaism. Participants need not be passive, as they have the option of sending questions and comments, which are often published - usually with a response. More recently, the Rabin Mishnah Study Group became part of a wider Virtual Bet Midrash, which also offers lessons in Halakhah and Hashkafah (philosophy). There are plans for future expansion into the realm of Midrash . The Bet Midrash Virtuali operates under the aegis of the Rabbinical Assembly in Israel and is funded by the Masorti Movement, making it possible for literally hundreds of Jews around the world to savor traditional Jewish learning in the intellectual and ideological ambience of committed Masorti Judaism. Visit the BMV site at www.bmv.org.il, where you can not only join up for the lessons, but also peruse the archives. Rabbi Roth can be reached at bmv@masorti.org or admin@bmv.org.il . |
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Conservative Yeshiva and WLCJ invite you to study in Israel The Conservative Yeshiva 2004 Summer Program provides an opportunity to study the classic texts of Judaism, including Talmud, Tanach, Halakha, Tfilla, and Jewish Philosophy, with traditional hevruta and shiur learning. Join Rashei Yeshiva Rabbi Richie Lewis and Rabbi Joel Roth, along with Professor Pamela Barmash and other Yeshiva faculty for an unforgettable learning experience. The Conservative Yeshiva Summer Program includes an intensive morning Ulpan to build up Hebrew skills and afternoon classes in Talmud and Tanach. The advanced track includes an intensive morning Talmud class and afternoon shiurim in Halakha . Two three-week sessions will be held July 4-22 and July 25-August 12, 2004. Sessions will not be repetitive and students may attend either or both. Students of all ages and backgrounds are welcome. The Conservative Yeshiva is a project of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. For more information and to apply e-mail the Yeshiva, call us on +972 (2) 622-3116, or visit our website . The Women’s League for Conservative Judaism sponsors the Masorti Women’s Study Days, held in conjunction with the Masorti Movement and the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies. If you are visiting Israel, you are invited to join in. For more information, contact WLCJ Israel Liaison, Diane Friedgut . The next Study Days will be held: |
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This
year, 2004, marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Masorti
Movement in Israel. In 1980, one year after its foundation, Dr. Ephraim
Tabory, of the Department of Sociology at Bar-Ilan University, conducted
the first wide-ranging research on the Movement. Comparing the
Masorti Movement to the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism (Reform),
Tabory noted that the Masorti Movement, in contrast to the Reform, arose
without formulating a platform or comprehensive document of principles.