The Times of Israel

Liberal American Jews urge US to revoke Smotrich’s visa over Huwara remarks

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 13:11:17 +0000

Two groups call for finance minister, set soon for US trip, to be denied entry for saying Palestinian town should be 'wiped out'; other US Jewish leaders also condemn his comments

The post Liberal American Jews urge US to revoke Smotrich’s visa over Huwara remarks appeared first on The Times of Israel.

Softened bill banning Passover ‘hametz’ from hospitals cleared for first reading

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 20:52:21 +0000

After fiery debate, MKs tweak legislation to give hospital directors more control over how to keep leavened goods out during Jewish holiday, rather than imposing a blanket ban

The post Softened bill banning Passover ‘hametz’ from hospitals cleared for first reading appeared first on The Times of Israel.

Reform Judaism head: Critics say US Jews can’t have an opinion, then seek our help

Sun, 26 Feb 2023 15:18:11 +0000

After addressing Saturday night protest in Tel Aviv, Rabbi Rick Jacobs says he was representing majority of US Jews when he spoke out against government's planned judicial overhaul

The post Reform Judaism head: Critics say US Jews can’t have an opinion, then seek our help appeared first on The Times of Israel.

Jewish Agency chief urges US Jewry to speak out on proposed judicial overhaul

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 21:17:26 +0000

'This is the time to strengthen your involvement, to make your voice heard,' Doron Almog tells visiting American Jewish leaders, calls plans to limit Law of Return 'unacceptable'

The post Jewish Agency chief urges US Jewry to speak out on proposed judicial overhaul appeared first on The Times of Israel.

Bills advance to ban hametz from hospitals on Passover, boost rabbinic court powers

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 20:20:32 +0000

Legislation would allow religious courts to rule on civil cases when there is consent from both sides

The post Bills advance to ban hametz from hospitals on Passover, boost rabbinic court powers appeared first on The Times of Israel.

Lapid thanks US Jews for criticism of overhaul, backs talks if coalition halts bills

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 15:14:27 +0000

In a letter to Jewish Federations, the opposition leader says he supports President Herzog's calls for negotiations, insists legislative advance stop

The post Lapid thanks US Jews for criticism of overhaul, backs talks if coalition halts bills appeared first on The Times of Israel.

Reform rabbis assailed as they try to bring Torah scrolls to women at Western Wall

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 09:28:04 +0000

Members of the Noam party's youth movement overrun holy site's egalitarian section, are escorted out by police

The post Reform rabbis assailed as they try to bring Torah scrolls to women at Western Wall appeared first on The Times of Israel.

Hundreds of ex-submariners urge stop to overhaul ‘before we reach the abyss’

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 22:33:16 +0000

Reservists and retired former troops accuse Netanyahu of sowing division; military prosecution officials warn legal shakeup could expose politicians, IDF commanders to ICC lawsuits

The post Hundreds of ex-submariners urge stop to overhaul ‘before we reach the abyss’ appeared first on The Times of Israel.

In highly unusual move, major US Jewish group decries proposed judicial overhaul

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 16:34:15 +0000

Jewish Federations, a massive umbrella group, departs from usual practice of being mum on Israeli politics, warns against 'dramatic' proposal to let Knesset override High Court

The post In highly unusual move, major US Jewish group decries proposed judicial overhaul appeared first on The Times of Israel.

Conservative movement: Legal overhaul would ‘eviscerate’ Israeli checks and balances

Sun, 19 Feb 2023 17:48:02 +0000

Joining other international Jewish groups, Masorti-Conservative leadership comes out in favor of President Herzog's call to freeze legislation, hold dialogue on judicial reform

The post Conservative movement: Legal overhaul would ‘eviscerate’ Israeli checks and balances appeared first on The Times of Israel.

Bills to ban hametz, expand powers of rabbinic courts breeze through committee

Sun, 19 Feb 2023 14:30:29 +0000

AG comes out against proposal criminalizing bringing leavened goods into hospitals during Passover; groups representing 'chained' women oppose letting rabbis adjudicate civil cases

The post Bills to ban hametz, expand powers of rabbinic courts breeze through committee appeared first on The Times of Israel.

Government tells High Court it still plans to improve Western Wall egalitarian plaza

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 22:50:19 +0000

Responding to multiple court petitions, state says it is working to implement long-stalled, six-year-old cabinet decision, angering both liberal and conservative groups

The post Government tells High Court it still plans to improve Western Wall egalitarian plaza appeared first on The Times of Israel.

As Jewish Israelis lose trust, fewer are marrying through the Rabbinate

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 12:55:17 +0000

The number of Jews registering weddings with the state body has decreased since 2011, even as the population has grown by more than 20%, religious advocacy group finds

The post As Jewish Israelis lose trust, fewer are marrying through the Rabbinate appeared first on The Times of Israel.

75 Israeli Orthodox leaders call for dialogue on judicial overhaul

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 20:36:10 +0000

Though many signatories of open letter have deep ties to settler movement, most are part of the more liberal wing of the religious Zionist community

The post 75 Israeli Orthodox leaders call for dialogue on judicial overhaul appeared first on The Times of Israel.

Some Israeli rescuers depart Turkey over safety fears, as locals fume at government

Sun, 12 Feb 2023 14:14:09 +0000

United Hatzalah says it was pressed to leave due to threats stemming from neighboring Syria and growing civil unrest; separately, IDF ends rescue efforts, focusing on medical care

The post Some Israeli rescuers depart Turkey over safety fears, as locals fume at government appeared first on The Times of Israel.