Leaders of Reform Judaism in the United States and Canada said here they will step up their demands for religious pluralism in Israel and voiced “alarm” at what they called “the increasing efforts by a rigid and politicized Orthodox rabbinate to impose its views on the
Following a 10-day mission to Israel composed of 36 members of the board of trustees of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, UAHC senior vice president Albert Vorspan announced Sunday that the organization is planning to
That center, Vorspan explained, functions as a lobby and educational-research arm, “giving eloquent expression to Reform Judaism’s abiding commitment to social justice.” In Israel, he said, the Religious Action Center would “serve
It would also be a focus for legislative and judicial efforts to achieve religious freedom, pluralism and civil liberties, he added, “thus helping to make Israel an exemplar of Jewish ideals and a light unto the nations.” A feasibility study will begin
UAHC SUPPORTED INSTITUTIONS VISITED
Rabbi Daniel Syme, UAHC vice president, said the Reform movement would expand its travel
During their 10-day visit here, the Reform Jewish leaders visited a number of UAHC-supported institutions in Israel, including Kibbutz Yahel and Kibbutz Lotan in the Arava; Mitzpeh Har
Rabbi Alexander Schindler, UAHC president, was to have led the mission but suffered a heart-attack on the first day of the group’s 10-day visit. He is improving steadily under the care of physicians at the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba and expects
EXPRESSION OF SOLIDARITY
The UAHC mission to Israel was undertaken to “express our solidarity with the people of
In a statement, the UAHC Board assailed “recent actions in Israel by the entrenched and intransigent Orthodox rabbinate, working its will through political manipulation of coalition governments, “which
The UAHC leaders were headed by Charles Roths child, Jr., chairman of the board of trustees. They met with Premier Shimon Peres, Foreign Minister Yitzhak Shamir, Jewish Agency officials and leaders of the Reform
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