Conservative Movement launches alternative wedding campaign

The Conservative Movement launched a new campaign Monday, aimed at informing Jewish couples, which are reluctant to wed through the Rabbinate, of the possibility of holding a traditional Jewish wedding with a modern twist.

Dubbed "A traditional chuppah – the way for Israelis to marry," the campaign, which was simultaneously launched online, in print and on the radio, seeks to capture the attention of Israeli couples who want to incorporate various modern wedding elements in the traditional Jewish ceremony.

The Conservative Movement hopes the campaign will increase awareness within both the Israeli public and the decision makers, as to the various possibilities available for those wishing to get married.

"We hope that a bill amending the law stating that Jewish marriages are under the Rabbinate's sole control, will be submitted to the Knesset sooner rather than later," said the movement's secretary-general, attorney Yigal Hass.

"That is the worst kind of monopoly possible; the kind that breeds corruption and a misunderstanding of the public needing the service… once there is real competition in the field, the kind recognized by the State authorities, the Rabbinate is likely to change the way it treats those who wed through it."

The movement, added Hass, offers an alternative to those who do not wish to marry through the Rabbinate: "Over 20% of Israelis who wed choose not to involve the Rabbinate. Israelis couples are fed up with the being mistreated," he added.

The ultimate goal, he stressed, is to incorporate the loyalty to Jewish tradition with an open-minded approach to modern wedding traditions. The movement's rabbis emphasize the woman's equal status in the ceremony, allowing the couple to have their say in the way the ceremony is conducted.