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Israel

Anger at rule on gender segragation near Kotel

October 1, 2009 13:51

ByAnshel Pfeffer, Anshel Pfeffer

1 min read

A move by the rabbi of the Western Wall to gender-segregate ceremonies taking place near Judaism’s holiest shrine is causing consternation.

Officials at the Jewish Agency are considering changing the venue of the ceremony at which new immigrants to Israel are given their first identity cards. According to the decision of the Western Wall Heritage Fund, headed by Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovich, women and men would be forced to sit separately and women would not be allowed to speak from the podium.

Until a few years ago, only the sunken area close to the wall was regarded as a synagogue, and men and women were allowed to mingle freely outside that area. But four years ago, the prayer area was unofficially extended all the way back to the houses of the Jewish Quarter and the security gates.

The Israel Religious Action Centre, which is identified with Reform, recently wrote to Rabbi Rabinovich and to the Religious Services Minister, Yaakov Margi, objecting to the new rules.