In response to “Time For Israel To Recognize All Jews” (Editorial, Nov. 9), all Jews and all streams of Judaism operate freely and openly in Israel. The government registers and funds 64 non-Orthodox synagogues, with two provisos: Non-Orthodox rabbis are not licensed to conduct weddings and conversions.
The editorial ignores the distinction between non-Orthodox practice in Israel and abroad. That is where the problem lies. Some non-Orthodox streams outside of Israel allow for interfaith marriage and define a Jew by way of the father, not the mother
Non-Orthodox streams in Israel forbid interfaith marriage and will not define a Jew through patrilineal descent.
There is a schism in world Jewry that no one discusses: Non-Orthodox synagogues in Israel do not recognize the standards of non-Orthodox Jewish practice abroad.
Jerusalem
