Orthodox intolerance helps grow Reform in Israel

By Rabbi Dow Marmur

JERUSALEM — The Triguboff Institute, established by an Australian philanthropist, specializes in the needs of Jews from the former Soviet Union, notably Russia and Ukraine. The fact that perhaps as many as 400 000 Israeli citizens of Russian and Ukrainian background aren’t regarded as Jews by the state’s rabbinic establishment has prompted a spokesman for the institute to warn, somewhat dramatically, that in the not-too-distant future Israel may lose its Jewish majority by denying Jewish status to Jews.

The irony of this prediction shouldn’t escape us: the exponents of what they regard as the only authentic manifestation of Judaism are endangering the Jewishness of the State of Israel. The intransigence of its religious leaders with political clout is making it very difficult for women and men who want to throw in their lot with the Jewish people, even live in the Jewish state, to be recognized as Jews, unless they embrace or at least pretend to embrace strict Orthodox observance.

That’s not only an issue that divides non-Orthodox religious streams from those who claim the sole franchise not only on Judaism but seemingly also on the will of God. Within Orthodoxy itself there’re groups who wish to distance themselves from the establishment and administer a Judaism that’s both traditional and humane to meet the needs of individuals and thus help secure the future of the Jewish collective.

A number of Israelis, including many whose origins are in the former Soviet Union, now also turn to Reform rabbis for conversion. Some no doubt know of the vital role that Reform Judaism is playing within American Jewry and in Jewish communities throughout the world. The fact that Reform is still considered by many to be on the margin of Israeli life doesn’t deter them. In fact, some of those who’ve been welcomed into Judaism by the Reform movement become valued members in its four dozen or so congregations in the country.

Needless to say, this gives the defenders of politically potent Orthodoxy cause to hurl abuse at Reform (and no less on Conservative and other modernist manifestations of) Judaism, often with great passion and even greater poison. You don’t have to be a psychologist to suspect this to be a pathetic defense mechanism.

Many Israelis look at the vitality of American Jewry with growing respect, even when they’ve less time for other Jewish communities in the Diaspora, and surmise that its pluralistic nature has much to do with its vitality. Something similar could happen in Israel. The time has passed when extreme Orthodoxy, Orthodox nationalism and rabid secularism, though still politically powerful, were the only three options. And the disdain for living in the Diaspora has also diminished; more than a million Israelis are said to live abroad. All this has made many look at American Jewry as a model of coexistence.

It bodes well for Reform Judaism in Israel. Some of it will be reflected in steady growth. Though its leaders still seem to lack an aptitude for self-scrutiny and tend to jump too quickly to defensive responses to critical comments, it’s hoped that a new generation will show greater self-confidence.

As the author of some of the critical comments I’m pleased to see many signs of promise. Reform Jews in the Diaspora can do much to help it come true by moral and financial support as well as by building bridges between congregations.

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Rabbi Marmur is spiritual leader emeritus of Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto.  Now a resident of Israel, he may be contacted via dow.marmur@sdjewishworld.com.  Comments intended for publication in the space below must be accompanied by the letter writer’s first and last name and by his/ her city and state of residence (city and country for those outside the U.S.)