{"id":46577,"date":"2018-12-11T17:25:41","date_gmt":"2018-12-11T23:25:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/?p=46577"},"modified":"2018-12-11T22:22:57","modified_gmt":"2018-12-12T04:22:57","slug":"op-ed-it-is-time-to-abolish-israels-chief-rabbinate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/op-ed-it-is-time-to-abolish-israels-chief-rabbinate\/","title":{"rendered":"OP-ED: It is time to abolish Israel\u2019s Chief Rabbinate"},"content":{"rendered":"
By RUACH HIDDISH<\/div>\n
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JERUSALEM (JTA) \u2014 Israel\u2019s Chief Rabbinate holds absolute power in key areas over the religious definition of what \u2013 and who \u2013 is Jewish. This monopoly \u2014 empowered, funded and perpetuated by the state \u2014 has given the haredi Orthodox-controlled body the license to exclude major segments of the Jewish community within and outside Israel, including adherents of varieties of Orthodoxy, such as Modern Orthodoxy, <\/span>of which they disapprove.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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In the latest example of such power, the Chief Rabbinate has issued a list of criteria for the overseas rabbinical courts that it recognizes in the areas of divorce, conversion and Jewish status. While some praised the Chief Rabbinate for transparency, critics said the list is outdated and omits rabbinical courts that operate in Modern Orthodox communities. The Chief Rabbinate\u2019s new initiative is intended, among other things, to undermine Modern Orthodoxy by denying recognition to conversions performed by some of the leading lights of that stream of Orthodoxy.<\/p>\n

In reaction, some Orthodox critics have committed themselves to fight via legal and public avenues until the Chief Rabbinate becomes more inclusive of the broad swath of present-day Orthodoxy.<\/p>\n

We offer a radically different, more inclusive response. As rabbis representing the full spectrum of Jewish denominational life, including the non-Orthodox denominations long excluded by the Chief Rabbinate, we no longer expect any flexibility, decency or inclusiveness from a body controlled by a monopoly that represents such a small, fundamentalist sliver of the Jewish rainbow. <\/p>\n

Further, we view it as inappropriate to seek relief through the civil court system. Diverse interpretations of Jewish law are natural. Using civil law to force religious authorities to validate procedures against their religious conscience is an act of religious coercion.<\/p>\n

Recent developments underscore the need to move on to a different model of religion-state relations \u2014 and abolish the Chief Rabbinate as an arm of the state.<\/p>\n

The existence of the Chief Rabbinate as an arm of the state violates the core principles of democracy. It is rejected by the overwhelming majority of Israeli Jews. No contemporary democratic Jewish community would submit itself to a monopolistic Orthodox rabbinic authority. Only in today\u2019s Israel, under the pretense of maintaining Israel\u2019s identity as a Jewish state, has the government put a system of religious exclusivity in place. This allows the Chief Rabbinate to impose its will on the religious practices of Jews in Israel and now abroad.<\/p>\n

A number of months ago, an alternative model was proposed \u2013 one that is unifying, Jewish and democratic in character.  \u201cA Vision Statement: Israel as a Jewish and Democratic State\u201d <\/a>was written by a Reform rabbi and an Orthodox rabbi and signed by rabbis and communal leaders <\/span>of all denominations and diverse political views<\/span>. It addresses all the key areas of contention regarding matters of religion and state. It is anchored in love, support and commitment to Israel\u2019s well-being and Jewish peoplehood.<\/p>\n

The Vision Statement proposes the following:<\/p>\n