Separation of all religious matters from the state in Israel, although not at the present time, was advocated here last night by Dr. Hayim Greenberg, member of the Jewish Agency executive, addressing the Seminary Israel Institute, established jointly by the Jewish Theological Seminary of America and the Jewish Agency.
Speaking before 200 lay and religious leaders of all faiths on the subject, “Religion and State in Israel,” Dr. Greenberg declared that the existing law in Israel “does not recognize the existence of the agnostic or of the non-affiliated religionist.” A rabbi of non-Orthodox persuasion is prevented from sanctifying a marriage or issuing a decree of divorce, he said.
The issue of separation, he declared, would best be postponed at the present time because Israel today is “burdened with so many difficult and acute problems of a political as well as of an economic nature, which calls for a maximum of solidarity on the part of its citizenry. The issue of separation cannot be resolved without a severe and prolonged Kulturkampf, and the wisest course would be to postpone it “for better times,'” he stated.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
