A State for ALL Jews

Dear Friends,

We just wanted to make sure you saw BINA's statement (below) in response to the recent news on the Israeli government's decisions regarding the egalitarian section of the Kotel and the conversion bill, which will further restrict the freedom of millions of Jews to practice, express, define, and live their Jewishness as they see fit.

Wishing you all a shabbat of shalom and tzedek - Peace and Justice.

Noga and Elliot

A true Jewish State must be a Democratic State, in which all Jews – Secular, Reform, Conservative, Orthodox and Other – and all people – Jewish and not Jewish – are free to practice or refrain from religion as they wish, and are able to live in freedom, equality and dignity.

BINA Statement on Israeli Cabinet Decisions on Kotel and Conversions
June 28, 2017 | 4 Tamuz 5777

“[The State of Israel] will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture; it will safeguard the holy places of all religions.” (The Declaration of the State of Israel, 1948)

BINA joins its partners and friends in Israel and throughout the Jewish world in expressing its deep concern and disappointment in the Israeli Cabinet’s recent decisions to freeze “The Kotel Compromise” which would have established an egalitarian prayer space at the Western Wall, and concurrently to advance “The Conversion Law” which will strengthen the Orthodox Rabbinate’s monopoly on Jewish conversions in Israel.

BINA students together with Women of the Wall leader Anat Hoffman.

BINA believes in the right and responsibility of every Jew to define his/her identity and practice for him/herself. The Israeli Cabinet’s latest decisions will further restrict the freedom of millions of Jews to practice, express, define, and live their Jewishness as they see fit, and this we cannot condone. BINA stands firmly in its commitment to strengthening Israel as a Jewish-Democratic State. A true Jewish State must be a Democratic State, in which all Jews – Secular, Reform, Conservative, Orthodox and Other – and all people – Jewish and not Jewish – are free to practice or refrain from religion as they wish, and are able to live in freedom, equality and dignity.

As such, we hope that the Israeli Cabinet will rescind its latest decisions. We hope that Diaspora Jews will continue to make their voices heard and work together with Israeli changemakers such as BINA and others in the advancement of pluralism, democracy and equality in Israel – not only at the Kotel but in all realms of Jewish life, education, and culture. We further hope that Israeli Jews will continue to awaken to the injustices of the religious “status quo” in Israel, and join us in our work to strengthen Israel as a Jewish and Democratic State.

ABOUT BINA:

BINA: The Jewish Movement for Social Change is the leading movement at the intersection of Jewish pluralism and social action in Israel today. BINA aims to strengthen Israel as a democratic, pluralistic and just society through limud (Jewish study), ma’ase (social action) and kehilla (community-building), emphasizing Jewish culture and values of tikkun olam (repairing the world). BINA builds new Israeli and global Jewish leadership empowered to make change locally and globally. Today BINA runs cultural, social and educational programs that reach more than 40,000 Israelis and individuals from all over the world each year.

BINA: "The Jewish Movement for Social Change, operates under the Israeli nonprofit Merchavim Chevra Lechinuch Vetarbut".