Premier Golda Meir agreed last night with the leader of the Orthodox Rabbinical Council of America that dialogue is the best way to resolve differences between observant and non-observant Jews in Israel and to preserve national unity. Mrs. Meir addressed the mid-winter conference of the Rabbinical Council which claims to be the largest Orthodox rabbinical body in North America. “If we want to live together then we must discuss matters. We must achieve the miracle of unity though this is not simple, but Jewish life was never a simple matter,” the Premier said.
Rabbi Bernard Berzon, president of the Rabbinical Council had called earlier for dialogue and persuasion and urged observant Jews to eschew the violence employed recently by religious zealots. Other speakers last night included Minister for Religious Affairs Zerach Warhaftig who urged Mrs. Meir to agree to change the Law of Return so that it complies with the halachic (religious law) definition of who is a Jew.
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