Join our Community
Support ToI and remove all ads
Learn more
×

Conservative movement

Yizhar Hess, a World Zionist Organization vice chairman and senior representative of the Masorti/Conservative Judaism (left), discusses with an ultra-Orthodox worshipper at the Western Wall in an undated picture. (Courtesy)
May 12, 2026, 2:23 am
Divisive bill barring non-Orthodox practices at Western Wall back on Knesset agenda
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
By Rossella Tercatin
FILE: New immigrants from France arrive on an "Aliyah Flight" at Ben Gurion airport. August 1, 2024. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)
May 7, 2026, 2:56 pm
Ministerial panel to vote on bill that would bar citizenship for non-Orthodox converts
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
By Sam Sokol and ToI Staff
Rabbi Mikę Uram has been tapped to become the ninth chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary, seen at rear. (Courtesy JTS; background JTA)
May 1, 2026, 1:19 am
JTS ‘breaks mold,’ names campus innovator Rabbi Mike Uram as next chancellor
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
By Andrew Silow-Carroll
An illustrative image of a huppah wedding canopy. (iStock/ Edward Shtern)
December 20, 2025, 2:02 am
US-based Conservative movement apologizes, signals new approach on intermarriage
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
By Asaf Elia-Shalev
Illustrative: A rabbi leads a blessing with wine in hand and tallit draped over his shoulders (Courtesy / Moti Dolgin via JTA)
August 14, 2025, 6:46 am
US Conservative rabbi quits movement, preempting sanctions over performing intermarriages
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
By Asaf Elia-Shalev
Participants in the Nativ pre-college gap year program, which is affiliated with the Conservative movement, historically divided their time between study in Jerusalem and volunteering elsewhere in Israel. (Courtesy of Nativ via JTA)
July 11, 2025, 4:18 pm
Conservative Judaism relaunches Israel gap-year program with Tel Aviv internships
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
By Grace Gilson
Conservative Judaism has been trying to chart a middle path between Jewish tradition and acceptance of the reality of interfaith families. (Stock photo/Burke/Triolo Productions via Getty Images via JTA)
July 3, 2025, 3:34 pm
In first, US Conservative synagogue allows clergy to participate in interfaith weddings
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
By Asaf Elia-Shalev
Chancellor Shuly Rubin Schwartz speaks at the institution's 131st commencement ceremony, May 22, 2025. (Ellen Rubin Photography via JTA)
June 19, 2025, 4:24 pm
Conservative flagship’s 1st woman chancellor, Shuly Rubin Schwartz, to step down in 2026
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
By Andrew Silow-Carroll
An aerial view of American Jewish University's Sunny & Isadore Familian Campus in the Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles. (Courtesy of Communications Department, AJU via JTA)
June 20, 2024, 9:40 am
US rabbinical school says probe of seminary found no systemic sexism or homophobia
But American Jewish University does not intend to release report that questioned 200 people, despite calls for transparency from some who alleged abuse
By Asaf Elia-Shalev
A groom smashes the glass in a Jewish wedding, under the huppah (Mor Seban; iStock by Getty Images)
January 31, 2024, 8:39 pm
Conservative rabbis urged to engage with interfaith families, still can’t marry them
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
By jacob gurvis
Cantor Sarah Freudenberger at a ketubah signing ceremony for an interfaith wedding she officiated in October 2023. (Courtesy Freudenberger via JTA)
January 8, 2024, 1:43 am
To welcome interfaith couples, US Conservative synagogue hires cantor who can wed them
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
By Gavi Klein
Participants in the Nativ pre-college gap year program, affiliated with the Conservative movement, divide their time between study in Jerusalem and volunteering elsewhere in Israel. (Courtesy of Nativ)
December 22, 2023, 5:29 am
Conservative movement suspends its Israel gap-year program, citing budget woes
Long-running Nativ program shrank considerably in recent years; Conservative movement leaders lament ‘new economic realities, recruitment challenges’
By Jackie Hajdenberg
Yishai Mogilner, 19, worked as one of the Israeli staff members at Camp Ramah in the Poconos for the 2023 season (Courtesy Ella Goldberg)
September 1, 2023, 9:29 am
What Matters Now to counselor Yishai Mogilner: Being an Israeli at a US summer camp
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
By Jessica Steinberg
Illustrative. Charging an electric car. (Scharfsinn86 via iStock by Getty Images)
July 28, 2023, 6:48 am
Conservative rabbis endorse use of electric cars on Shabbat, still divided on driving
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
By Jackie Hajdenberg
Vegetarian food sold at the restaurant Village Green on Jaffa Street in Jerusalem, April 17, 2008. (Yossi Zamir/Flash90)
May 22, 2023, 5:03 pm
Conservative movement okays dining at meat-free eateries without kosher certificates
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
By Jackie Hajdenberg
Load More
Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community
Paying ToI Community members are invited to comment on articles
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By joining you agree to the terms and conditions
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community
Only ToI Community members can comment below articles
Forgot your password? / Send me a login link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.
Back to top
Never miss breaking news on Israel
Get notifications to stay updated
You're subscribed
image
Register for free
and continue reading
Registering allows you to manage your newsletters and alerts and helps us improve your experience. It takes just a few seconds.
Already registered? Enter your email to sign in.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. Once registered, you’ll receive our Daily Edition email for free.
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Register
I forgot my password / Send me a sign in link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.