While I agree that every Jew should be welcomed to pray at the Kotel and feel comfortable to do so, I am outraged by this article and the terms employed. As a holy prayer site for all Jews, the only way to make it work is to abide by Halakha and have a Mehitza. It is certainly not forbidden for non-orthodox movements to pray with a Mehitza. Even though we can hope for more tolerance from the Haredim of the wall (if their attitude as depicted in this article is accurate), it is simply outrageous to have a fellow Jew compare their influence there to enemies of the Jews who occupied the site until 1967.

it isnt that uit is run by fanatics it is run the way any jewish orginization should be, masorti judaism doent follow the torah the way it should be and then they get insulted when they go to a jewish place and are "forced" to obey the torah. by innapropriate dress it is usually cleavage showing or the entire arm so cry me a river if following halcha is too hard for you accept that the way the torah was written is the way it will be kept

The haredi, by their numbers, have more political power than you and your group. Too bad. Bringing up the reform movement, which bases it theories on a man-made, not Divinely inspired Torah, has done more to destroy Judaism than our enemies. Your agenda is pretty obvious, but you don't have a prayer.

In 1967 I heard a Reform Rabbi tell his congregation that the Kotel was nothing but a pile of rocks build by Herod, and had no meaning for modern Jews. Even Mr. Masorti claims that only 20,000 Masorti visit the Kotel in an entire year. Where are the "millions" they claim as members? THEY DON'T EVEN CARE. How many people come to the Birkat Cohanim? Far more than 20,000 on a single day! Here's a clue Mr. Masorti, the Kotel is a sacred place, the site of the Beit HaMikdash, where men and women were separated, and Cohanim, Levites and Israelites were also separated. There was no random mixture in the Beit HaMikdash. If that is not sacred to you then please hold your services at a theatre or a sports stadium. Mr. Masorti, you complain about not having "ushers" at the Robinson Arch. You have to have people with white gloves show you to your velvet seat as part of your "religious" entitlement? Jews can not pray on the Temple Mount, you never hear the Masorti complain about that, because the Temple Mount, like the Kotel, means nothing to them.

the wall and opening his siddur and praying? I suppose if he was bare chested without a kippa, they would know he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

let them go back to Russia with their ugly fur harts they wear in hot weather ...

Given that the Western Wall is the most holy location for the Jews today, and given that it is basically a synagogue - ie. a place to pray and connect with God; and given that the vast majority of people who visit the Kotel for it's real reason - ie to pray at the closest location to the 2 temples - (temples that btw the reform and conservative, would not like to rebuild); then why does everyone make such a fuss about "orthodox coercion"? If I went to the great Wall of China or Hadrian's Wall, I wouldn't expect it to be treated as a holy place - and I don't expect the Western Wall to be treated like them, either. How many of our loyally secular friends would even think of going into a mosque inappropriately dressed or wearing shoes? I doubt even one person would try it - so if you can give respect to a mosque, why not to your own heritage?

The whole point of discussion is that the ultra orthodox strand of Judiasm is consistently forcing its agenda on the general public. Dignity, respect and public order are essential, but a take-over by extremists - from either side of the Jewish people - is wrong, although our Government has turned a blind eye to the de facto hold that the Haredim have on our National monument.

For years I have been saying that your movement should form a political union, I say union on purpose, and then a political party and run for the Knesset in order to counteract these unproductive Haredi parties who literally dictate to the Nation. You can muster more than sufficient funds from your large gathering in America in order to establish this union and party and get into power and pass and enact legislation. Stop bickering about it all the time and do something about it . The Haredi have "succeeded" in getting where they are because they "do" instead of "talk". You outnumber them so it should be an easy task and you will have tremendous support from most of the sane people in our society.

Very simply put, we are not wanted. Only our money. We Conservative Jews (let alone secular or Reform Jews) have no right to be in Israel. Only send your money. That was the message the inbred idiots in their stupid fur hats gave us last year when we visited. And it seems to us to be the attitude of the government too.

Only the orthodox/haredi have kept the Torah since Sinai. It is the only "stream" of Judaism that has any authenticity. Reform/conservative is a cultural exercise which is doomed to the annals of history.

Talk about coersion - that's what the liberal reform movement is good at. I know, they run the Jewish Federal in my town and give 3% of their budget to Jewish education, but make sure Arab kids get to camp each summer. K and Rachel, you're pathetic. Those Haredi with the fur hats are home - they were born there, unlike you two. Giving these people, who keep Judaism alive, your money is the least you can do. Considering reform money goes to just about anything but Jewish causes, you need to keep your mouth shut about the religious.

Like the taliban, al Qaeda and the 'fanatics", the takeover by orthodox Jews is being felt not only in the kotel, buy throughout the land. In the govt., in the cities & towns, in the schools (sex & color segregation),in the army, in business and, a 'novelty',. sidewalks?. Their grotesque way of life, like their "accoutrements" do set them apart. Their hypocrisy and behavior are not unlike their arab "cousins".... Their women are ' Schmattes , children brainwashed, contribution to the country Zilch, begging their lifeline to prosperity, ghettos-slums-enclaves their legacy. And to this we must Bend?. Mr. K from Chicago # 11, accurately describes why he and million of Jews overseas are disgusted with this sect "haredi " and have no confidence in a Govt allowing this immoral behavior to permeate. Basically, what we are told : " you keep yours & we keep ours $ "

On the one hand I am very upset to read your post but on the other I completely empathize with you. I, who have lived in Israel all my life, a long one, fought in four wars, brought up 4 children and eleven grandchildren, I feel the same, not wanted in my own country, not able to do as I please, as I had envisaged as a young man, in a free and democratic society. The spirit of Zionism as it ran in the blood of our Founding Fathers is long gone and I doubt if it will ever return. It certainly will not in the form of the black coated folks who are trying to run this country, if anything they will be our downfall. Ben Gurion made a mistake because 400 became 4000 became 40 000 became 400 000 and will become 4 000 000. Society will break down.

In a democracy, Jewish people should have freedom to pray on the Temple Mount!

You nailed it, you wouldn't make Aliyah as you feel you wouldn't be welcome. Never mind that it's the largest, most encompassing mitzvah in Torah, you wouldn't be welcome and therefore aren't interested in doing what G-d wants. By ripping off those "black coated" Jews who are trying to "Take over", all you liberal talkbackers are comitting chillul hashem

For more than 2000 years, in order praying in jewish religious site, it was logical and normal to be dressed modestly and to separate men from women (even in well assimilated reallly small synagogue, there is still a mehitza for the prayers). And now, a new "sect" derivated from judaism (without even matching their ridiculous number of "member" with orthodox or more tradionalist jews) has decided to change a lot of things, so everyone should do like THEY want ??? Just imagine, if another new jewish-derivated sect now decided that all halaha is stupid (not rejecting parts only like the reform movement), and decided that one should be dressed in swimming suit, should everyone accept them and let them do as they want ???

The Reform and Conservative movement are Left wing movements. That means that in any case they support transfer of the Western Wall to Arab sovereignty. They should not give the Wall any importance so any hand-over will be that much easier.

the Wall is not a holy location for the Jews at all: it is only the closest the colonial occupiers (Christians and Muslims) allowed the Jews to get to the holy Temple Mount. Other holy locations for the Jews are Joseph's Tomb, Mearat Hamachpela and Rachel's Tomb.

What a wacky analysis. The Turks, Arabs and British (who ever gave them the right?) consistently deprived and limited Jews from their birthright to pray at the holiest shrine in Judaism. They also purposely 'outlawed' seats (along with mechizas, shofar blowing, etc.) and in general made the experience as unpleasant as they could. Despite this, thousands risked body and limb over a period of hundreds of years just to be in the presence of the Divine. This is the situation the author is looking to for justice and wisdom?!? How absurd! Of the millions of Jews who visit the Kotel - some on a daily basis - the vast majority want to adhere to the traditional Halacha of separation during prayer. Are their sensitivities expendable? Is there really any injustice here? The current situation, while less than ideal for everybody, is a fair compromise. It respects Halacha and Minhag HaMoakom for the majority of worshipers and affords an option for those who prefer an alternative framework. Lets not further fragment the Jewish people by blowing-up this fragile situation any further.

of Israel want to have the Kotel? For them it's nothing more than a piece of historical archeology, only because the Orthodox hold it, it became an asset to be "conquered" again aka the title.

There was an agreement between the Israeli government and Masorti and Hess wishes to violate it. He gives a bad name to the Masorti movement.

let them go to Eastern Wall, dig up all those Arab graves and build a plaza out there for themselves. Alternatively, they can liberate the Great Wall of China or the Landsdowne Street side of the Green Monster, if they are really desperate for a wall. Besides, they have no theological need for a Temple anyway having denied our "sacrificial cult", so of what importance is the Temple mount to them? Good Shabbos to all,

the reform movement in 1968 did not recognize the Jews as a people but rather a religion. They did not recognize Israel as the homeland of the Jews and (remember I am talking about the movement) opposed Zionism (until 1992 was it?) The reform movement began in Germany and declared that they were Germans (not Jews/Israelites) who practice the "Mosaic" faith... this puts them in line with the Samaritans. Since 1992 the reform movement recognized Israel, (though the movement may still not recognize Zionism) and its leadership constitution still rejects the brit mila... with all these fadichot I do not think they should waste their time arguing about some ugly wall built by Harod. The wall is not holy to us. The mountain is! and this even the black wearing soapless handwashing haredim do not seem to understand, (some of whom like the reform also oppose Zionism, Israel, and out peoplehood.)

ASK ABE FOXMAN ASK ANY OF THOSE HUGE COLLECTTION ORGANIZETIONS HOW MUCH GOES TO ADMINISTRATIVE FEES? WHAT ARE THE SALARIES OF THOSE ''EXECUTIVES''? give and donate more and more but before you donate,,,find a way for most of your donation gets to work to HELP israelis poor pained and sufferings support the IDF, support thje orphanages support the kidnapped jewish girls who married arabs and want to get out support the yeshivots whose prayers support our souls GO TO ISRAEL ON HOLIDAY TO VISIT THE INSTITUTIONS IF YOU CAN..GIVE DIRECT TO THEM... avoid the middleman with your donations if you can. ASK YOUR TORAH ORTHODOX RABBI FOR HIS SUGGESTIONS TO DONATE. DACON9 jewswithviews@gmail.com

JEHOVAH HAS SAID IN HIS WORD - "MEN SHALL NOT HAVE WOMENS CLOTHS, AND WOMEN NOT MENS", AND, "JEHOVAH SEPARATES THE MANLY AND WOMANLY", AND, "JEHOVAH SEES TO THE HEARTH OF HUMANS". SO WHAT IS THE PROBLEM HERE ???, CAN YOU NOT ACCEPT THE WORD OF JEHOVAH THUS - MALAKI CHAP. 4. verses - 5"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. 6And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." AND - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWSATpx7uzk TAKE HEED TO THE WORD OF JEHOVAH IN THIS MATTER, IT WILL HEAL AL YOUR DIVISSIONS - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW4OPRb4uTs Arn-Orao.

Hanukkah commemorates the victory of those ultra-Orthodox Maccabees over the Reform Mityavnim, the ones who changed the ceremonies in the Beit Hamikdash to include pig sacrifice, statues to Zeus, female priests worshipping Aphrodite, orgies to Dionysius and whatever else was popular among the gentiles of that time. The Maccabees cleansed the Temple of these innovations and re-instituted the original order which included separation of men and women. Truly they should observe Hanukkah as their Tisha B'Av.