The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/conservative-movement/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Tue, 09 Jun 2026 18:19:45 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Conservative movement | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/conservative-movement/ 32 32 Divisive bill barring non-Orthodox practices at Western Wall back on Knesset agenda https://www.timesofisrael.com/divisive-bill-barring-non-orthodox-practices-at-western-wall-back-on-knesset-agenda/ Mon, 11 May 2026 23:23:31 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3821388 Legislation would give chief rabbis ultimate authority at holiest site for Jewish prayer, could see non-Orthodox worship branded as 'desecration,' carrying 7-year jail term

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]]> Ministerial panel to vote on bill that would bar citizenship for non-Orthodox converts https://www.timesofisrael.com/ministerial-panel-to-vote-on-bill-that-would-bar-citizenship-for-non-orthodox-converts/ Thu, 07 May 2026 11:56:19 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3818217 Reform movement leader: 'Government slamming door in the faces' of Diaspora Jews amid rising antisemitism; MK Rabbi Kariv: Move would 'collapse the bridge' between Israel and Diaspora

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]]> JTS ‘breaks mold,’ names campus innovator Rabbi Mike Uram as next chancellor https://www.timesofisrael.com/jts-breaks-mold-names-campus-innovator-rabbi-mike-uram-as-next-chancellor/ Thu, 30 Apr 2026 22:19:27 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3813791 Unusually for the Conservative Judaism flagship, new head does not hold a doctorate, but after serving at JFNA and Penn Hillel, he believes his novel background will be an asset

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]]> US-based Conservative movement apologizes, signals new approach on intermarriage https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-based-conservative-movement-apologizes-signals-new-approach-on-intermarriage/ Sat, 20 Dec 2025 00:02:07 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3715771 In major shift, 3rd-largest Jewish denomination issues apology for decades of discouraging interfaith relationships, as critics say gaps exist between American and worldwide attitudes

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]]> US Conservative rabbi quits movement, preempting sanctions over performing intermarriages https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-conservative-rabbi-quits-movement-preempting-sanctions-over-performing-intermarriages/ Thu, 14 Aug 2025 03:46:17 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3618483 As the denomination's ethics committee opens an investigation into rabbinical scion Ari Yehuda Saks' participation in interfaith weddings, the cleric doesn't wait for a verdict

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]]> Conservative Judaism relaunches Israel gap-year program with Tel Aviv internships https://www.timesofisrael.com/conservative-judaism-relaunches-israel-gap-year-program-with-tel-aviv-internships/ Fri, 11 Jul 2025 13:18:25 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3595215 Instead of sending students to kibbutzim and small villages for volunteer work, the four-decade-old Nativ track now sends them to the White City's trendy Florentin neighborhood

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]]> In first, US Conservative synagogue allows clergy to participate in interfaith weddings https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-first-us-conservative-synagogue-allows-clergy-to-participate-in-interfaith-weddings/ Thu, 03 Jul 2025 12:34:05 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3590007 While the policy change at Adath Jeshurun, a large Minneapolis-area congregation, goes against rules set by the denomination, top leadership has refrained from condemning it

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]]> Conservative flagship’s 1st woman chancellor, Shuly Rubin Schwartz, to step down in 2026 https://www.timesofisrael.com/conservative-flagships-1st-woman-chancellor-shuly-rubin-schwartz-to-step-down-in-2026/ Thu, 19 Jun 2025 13:24:59 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3576444 The outgoing head of the Jewish Theological Seminary since 2020 says she never intended a 'lengthy tenure' and will return to the faculty, where she has been serving since 1991

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]]> US rabbinical school says probe of seminary found no systemic sexism or homophobia https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-rabbinical-school-says-probe-of-seminary-found-no-systemic-sexism-or-homophobia/ Thu, 20 Jun 2024 06:40:24 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3315271 But American Jewish University does not intend to release report that questioned 200 people, despite calls for transparency from some who alleged abuse

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]]> Conservative rabbis urged to engage with interfaith families, still can’t marry them https://www.timesofisrael.com/conservative-rabbis-urged-to-engage-with-interfaith-families-still-cant-marry-them/ Wed, 31 Jan 2024 18:39:55 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3212889 While a ban on officiating at intermarriages still stands, the movement is recommending an array of changes, from new rituals to updated hiring regulations, to increase inclusivity

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]]> To welcome interfaith couples, US Conservative synagogue hires cantor who can wed them https://www.timesofisrael.com/to-welcome-interfaith-couples-us-conservative-synagogue-hires-cantor-who-can-wed-them/ Sun, 07 Jan 2024 23:43:01 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3194152 While most clergy in the denomination aren't allowed to perform interfaith weddings, Sarah Freudenberger's temple takes advantage of a loophole to send an inviting message

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]]> Conservative movement suspends its Israel gap-year program, citing budget woes https://www.timesofisrael.com/conservative-movement-suspends-its-israel-gap-year-program-citing-budget-woes/ Fri, 22 Dec 2023 03:29:59 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3184078 Long-running Nativ program shrank considerably in recent years; Conservative movement leaders lament 'new economic realities, recruitment challenges'

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]]> What Matters Now to counselor Yishai Mogilner: Being an Israeli at a US summer camp https://www.timesofisrael.com/what-matters-now-to-counselor-yishai-mogilner-being-an-israeli-at-a-us-summer-camp/ Fri, 01 Sep 2023 06:29:27 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3085218 Picking up from last summer's podcast with two Israeli counselors at Camp Ramah in the Poconos, first-time staffer Yishai Mogilner talks about returning to his family's camp

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]]> Conservative rabbis endorse use of electric cars on Shabbat, still divided on driving https://www.timesofisrael.com/conservative-rabbis-endorse-use-of-electric-cars-on-shabbat-in-divisive-new-vote/ Fri, 28 Jul 2023 03:48:49 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3060852 Just 10 members of the movement’s 25-rabbi Committee on Jewish Law and Standards were in favor and 6 voted against, 5 rabbis abstained, 4 did not attend

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]]> Conservative movement okays dining at meat-free eateries without kosher certificates https://www.timesofisrael.com/conservative-movement-okays-dining-at-meat-free-eateries-without-kosher-certificates/ Mon, 22 May 2023 14:03:33 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3019938 Rabbis rule it's kosher to eat at unsupervised vegan and vegetarian restaurants, say many of their members already see 'no obvious kashrut problems' in doing so

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