Ha’aretz Editor: “I Hate Israeli Settlers”

Posted on: November 8th, 2012

In an interview published on November 7 by Israel’s Globes online business magazine, Ha’aretz editorial board member Gideon Levy spoke frankly and openly about his “hatred” of Jews making their lives in Judea and Samaria.

Two Very Different Jews Memorialized on Saturday

Posted on: October 28th, 2012

Memorials for two memorable Jews took place this weekend, though they stood, perhaps, on opposite sides of the political spectrum.

Israeli Gay Couple Seeking Divorce from Rabbinical Court

Posted on: September 10th, 2012

The first Jewish Israeli male couple to marry has filed for divorce in a Tel Aviv rabbinical court that never recognized the marriage. It is unknown if the rabbinical court will provide a divorce for Uzi Even, the first openly gay Knesset member, and Dr. Amit Kama, Ynet reported.

IDF Soldiers Complain: Haredi Soldiers Received $5,000 Each in Illegal Grants

Posted on: August 22nd, 2012

On Tuesday, soldiers in the IDF Kfir brigade sent a letter to the office of Chief of Staff Benny Gantz complaining about discrimination between soldiers serving in the Haredi Netzach Yehuda battalion and other soldiers in the brigade, Walla reports. According to the soldiers’ claims it appears that recently soldiers serving in the Haredi battalion each received a grant of $5,000 from an American philanthropist.

Lipa Schmeltzer Goes Green in Jerusalem (Video)

Posted on: August 16th, 2012

Liberman Buys Time for Coalition, Hareidim Not Buying Idea of Service in Jewish Army

Posted on: July 18th, 2012

Avigdor Liberman says he will continue to pursue the drafting of all Israelis at the age of 18, but will uphold the current coalition.

70 days Later – Mofaz, Kadima, Quit Netanyahu’s Government over Haredi Draft

Posted on: July 17th, 2012

Following the collapse of negotiations over a new conscription law, Kadima chairman Shaul Mofaz decided to quit Netanyahu's coalition, leaving the premier once again with only 66 MKs. Mofaz told a Kadima faction emergency session: "It is with great sorrow that I say that there is no escape from taking a decision on quitting the government." Mofaz explained: "I went in on a principle, and when that failed, we must quit."

Thousands Protesting Against Draft

Posted on: July 16th, 2012

Thousands of Ultra-Orthodox adults and young children are protesting against the universal draft in Kikar Shabbat in Jerusalem. The adults have handcuffed all the children together as part of their protest. United Torah Judaism and Shas have renounced  the demonstration and passed the message to Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Israel’s Chief Rabbinate Facing Heated Calls For Change On Several Fronts

Posted on: July 11th, 2012

WASHINGTON – The latest battle over religious pluralism in Israel has unleashed a new barrage of criticism and calls for reform aimed at the Orthodox-controlled Israeli Chief Rabbinate.

Haredi Draft Proposal Offers Few Sticks, Many Carrots

Posted on: June 27th, 2012

The Plesner Committee, tasked with crafting an alternative to the Tal Law for haredi service in Israel, is reportedly drafting a proposal which would defer the enlistment of haredi men till age 22, offer financial incentives to yeshivot that have younger enlistment rates, and begin to levy economic sanctions on haredim who don't enlist by age 23.

Mass Early Morning ‘Sack and Ashes’ Rally Against Haredi Draft

Posted on: June 25th, 2012

The assembly of at least 2000 began by saying Slichot, led by Rabbi Yaakov Chanun, who is the baal tefilah at the Munkatch beit Midrash on the Yamim Noraim. The assembled repeated chapters of Tehilim, verse by verse, and sat down on the ground in mourning just as Jews do on the day of Tisha B'Av.

Anglos Lead Tel Aviv’s Return to Tradition

Posted on: May 30th, 2012

For many Tel Avivians, this past Shavuot seemed different. More than just another day to hit the beaches, and maybe indulge in some cheesecake, Israel's "White City" was dotted with groups celebrating the religious and spiritual aspect of the seminal holiday.

Reform and Conservative Leaders Deemed Rabbis, to Receive Israeli State Funds

Posted on: May 30th, 2012

The Israeli government announced on Tuesday that, for the first time, it will pay the salaries of a small number of Reform and Conservative rabbis who are considered leaders in their communities, and will also recognize them as rabbis.

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New Knesset ‘Tzohar Law’ to Curtail Chief Rabbinate’s Control on Weddings Passes First Reading

Posted on: May 22nd, 2012

The new law will end the obligation of Jewish couples to be wedded only by the rabbi of their locale, permitting them to choose any recognized Orthodox rabbi in the country to perform their marriage.

Coalition Grumblings: Political Posturing or First Signs of Splintering?

Posted on: May 14th, 2012

The intensifying focus on legislating an alternative to the Tal Law has the ultra-Orthodox parties in the Likud-led coalition defensive yet intractable. Shas and UTJ - representing 15 seats in the government - have declared that they will not participate in the coalition committee on finding an alternative.

Tel Aviv Mayor Warns Against Hareidi Majority

Posted on: April 29th, 2012

The mayor Tel Aviv told Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth on Friday that having an “ultra-Orthodox” majority in Israel would turn it “into a fundamentalist state like Saudi Arabia”.

Migron Settlers Signed Evacuation Agreement ‘With a Gun to our Head’

Posted on: March 12th, 2012

Some 13 years after its establishment, and six years after the court case on the settlement's legality began, all the residents of Migron, a large outposts in Judea and Samaria, arrived Sunday night at their local synagogue and signed an affidavit to be submitted to the court, committing to leave their homes voluntarily and without any forced eviction in three and a half years.

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Leftist Campaign Against Purim Hits the Web

Posted on: March 5th, 2012

The internet pamphlet plays on a popular Purim greeting, 'sameach u'mevadech' [happy and humorous], and asks rhetorically if people really know what Purim is about.

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Rabbi Lau Pens Poignant Letter Protesting Tel Aviv Decision to Run Buses on Shabbat

Posted on: February 21st, 2012

Tel Aviv Chief Rabbi Lau responds with dismay to a resolution passed by the Tel Aviv-Jaffa City Council to operate public transportation on Shabbat. He appealed to Mayor Ron Huldai, who supported the resolution, not to "allow the candle of Shabbat to burn out."

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