The Movement for Torah Judaism, the newly-organized religious association, came out today with a challenge to “party rule” over Jewish religious life in Israel.
The new association, which abjured all political ties, called for establishment of religious life on a voluntary basis founded on synagogue membership. The initiator of the new movement, Prof. Ephraim Urbach, of the Hebrew University, defined its aim as that of fostering traditional Judaism and “refurbishing” Jewish religious law and institutions under “modern conditions. “
The new group expressed “deep concern” over the “present undemocratic domination of Israel’s religious councils and religious life by political parties, ” The group’s leaders said the movement already had 300 registered members, mainly university teachers and students. Prof. Urbach, national chairman, announced plans to publish a journal and organize information campaigns, symposia and lectures.
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