Reform Jews shunned

Minister's worldview prevents Jewish communities from exercising their faith

Orly Erez-Lachovsky|Published: 02.04.07 , 19:52

For about a decade now, the State of Israel earmarks synagogue construction budgets to the tune of hundreds of millions of shekels. Thus far, all the synagogues that were built with government funding were entrusted in the hands of Orthodox communities, non-profit groups and organizations.

The huge sums invested by the State, about NIS 100 million (roughly USD 22.5 million) were not used even once for the construction of a synagogue for the benefit of a non-Orthodox community, such as the Reform or Conservative movements. One look at the bomb shelters, gyms, old-age clubs and community centers used for prayer sessions by many of these communities illustrates the discriminatory policy adopted by the State for many years.

In 2005, something changed. For the first time, the criteria for funding synagogues stipulated that funds must be earmarked in a manner that addresses all branches. Indeed, in September 2006 it was made known that the Housing Ministry intends to divide the 2005 buildings so that moveable synagogues are earmarked to five non-Orthodox communities.

However, if for a moment it appeared that the promised buildings are a harbinger of change in the discriminatory policy and adoption of a corrective one that would end inequality in this area, the national authority for religious services came along and turned back the clock.

Preferential treatment in order

In 2006, the budget for developing religious structures was transferred from the Housing Ministry to the national authority for religious services in the Prime Minister's Office. Not surprisingly, the criteria set by the authority for the same year, under the authority of Shas Minister Yitzhak Cohen, do not address non-Orthodox communities. They guarantee that things will remain the same, that is, perpetuation of the discrimination in resource distribution.

The Reform and Conservative communities in Israel need, for the most part, to operate under difficult conditions. Only a third of them operate in buildings they own, which were established through private donations only. Many communities make use of public buildings that do not match their needs in terms of availability and physical conditions. In many cases, the structure can only be used in a limited manner.

Clearly, under such conditions the communities find it difficult to operate and grow. Many of them are forced to rent a building and pay for it, in a manner that is unheard of when it comes to Orthodox communities.

Many communities where non-Orthodox communities are active feature Orthodox synagogues operating in public buildings. In Netanya, for example, there are 220 active Orthodox synagogues, with at least several dozen operating in public buildings. On the other hand, the only Reform community in town has not been offered a suitable place to hold its activities to this day, and its continued existence is now in danger.

The State of Israel is obligated, on the basis of fundamental principles such as equality and pluralism, to provide a proper solution to citizens interested in religious community life in accordance with their beliefs. Under the current state of affairs, preferential treatment to non-Orthodox groups not recognized by the government (as specified in a petition on the matter submitted to the High Court in December) is called for.

The State must not hinder the freedom of religion of those interested in non-Orthodox religious services. It must operate actively in order to provide its citizens with a variety of options to exercising their faith, even if it doesn't match the worldview of some official or minister at the Prime Minister's Office.