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A rabbi in Israel was detained and questioned by police for the “crime” of officiating at a Jewish wedding.

Dear Friends of Masorti Israel,   While it is difficult to believe, this is the reality in Israel, the Jewish State, and the only Western country where Jews are prohibited from marrying in accordance with their practice of Judaism. Under Israeli law, couples and rabbis face up to two years in prison for doing something that we all take for granted.

You may have heard about the outrageous treatment last week of Rabbi Dov “Dubi” Haiyun of the Masorti (Conservative) Congregation Moriah of Haifa. The local ultra-Orthodox Rabbinical Court filed a complaint against him for holding a Jewish wedding outside of the Chief Rabbinate -- and in so doing, violating the law.

The police acted on this complaint and roused Rabbi Haiyun at 5:30 in the morning for questioning at the police station - the very first time that authorities have acted under this law.  This incident has provoked outrage across Israel and throughout the world, where Diaspora Jewry understands the value of Jewish pluralism, and t he crucial need to stand in solidarity with our Israeli partners in the fight for religious freedom.

Give Today to Support Religious Freedom in Israel

Sanctioned by the Israeli government, the ultra-Orthodox Chief Rabbinate has absolute control over marriage, and also divorce, burial, kashrut, conversion, mikvehs, the Kotel, local religious councils and nearly all of the massive government funding of religious activity. The time has come to release the shackles of the ultra-Orthodox monopoly on the conscientious practice of Judaism in Israel. Masorti is fighting for each and every Israeli, for Israeli democracy, and for unity in the Jewish world, which can only be sustained through respect for the multiple Jewish path s.

Donate Now to Masorti's Emergency Appeal in Support of Religious Pluralism

Masorti is rising to the challenge by initiating a nationwide campaign to: Provide legal counsel to defend victims of these discriminatory laws. Advocate in the Knesset to overturn unjust laws such as the marriage prohibition. Engage Israelis, with a focus on youth, to promote pluralism in Israeli religious life. Organize public demonstrations to create an activist grassroots movement for change. Promote alternative rituals in marriage and other areas so that the spiritual needs of every Israeli can be served, without interference by the ultra-Orthodox bureaucracy.

To make Rabbi Haiyun’s arrest a true turning point, our partners in Israel must be able to count on us - -global supporters of Israel, the Conservative community, and religious freedom –to stand with them. On behalf of Rabbi Haiyun, his fellow Masorti rabbis and activists, and all Israelis who are struggling to end the Chief Rabbinate’s monopoly, I urge you to join us and make an emergency gift today to support this critical Masorti advocacy and education initiative.  Together we can provide the resources needed by the Masorti Movement so they will be able to make a powerful difference in the struggle to ensure that Israel can be a home and a true Jewish State for all Jews. Thank you for your support of Masorti and Jewish pluralism in Israel.

Rabbi Robert S. Slosberg, Chairman of the Board

Gideon Aronoff, Executive Director

P.S. If you would like to support this initiative by check, please send it to the Masorti Foundation, at the address below and note Marriage Initiative in the memo line

Masorti Foundation for Conservative Judaism in Israel 475 Riverside Drive Suite 832 New York, New York 10115

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