Egalitarian Kotel in Danger - Letter from the Rabbis
דוד גודמן
Dear Community,
This week, a bill passed its preliminary reading in the Knesset whose primary aim is to transfer the administration of the Kotel to the Chief Rabbinate, a move that would change the ability of people to pray there in an egalitarian manner according to our tradition. The bill establishes a penalty of up to seven years’ imprisonment for those who violate its provisions.
The Western Wall is a sacred site for Jews around the world. Yet for decades, its main plaza has been conducted according to Orthodox custom: full separation between men and women, and prayer regulations determined by the Orthodox Rabbinate.
Over the years, voices emerged — led by the Masorti Movement, Women of the Wall, and others — calling for Jews who pray differently (egalitarian, mixed, Conservative, or Reform) to be able to pray there according to their faith and practice. After long struggles, an additional prayer space was established at the southern end of the Wall, known as “Ezrat Yisrael.” This is an egalitarian, mixed-gender prayer space where women and men can pray together and celebrate bar and bat mitzvah ceremonies according to Conservative, Reform, or family traditions. This space has been operated for years by the Masorti Movement.
That space is now in danger — and with it, Masorti and pluralistic Judaism in Israel.
The bill has not yet passed into law. However, if it does, it would constitute a direct violation of our religious freedom as Masorti Jews. The Western Wall, a remnant of our Temple, is sacred to the entire Jewish people. If such a law were enacted anywhere else in the world, we would cry out in protest. If a law were passed preventing Jews from expressing their faith and praying according to their tradition and values, we would rightfully protest that our rights and our religious and personal identity were being harmed.
As a longstanding Jerusalem Masorti community, we must raise our voices against this bill, which seeks to restrict our steps as Masorti Jews and harms a significant portion of the Israeli public and Jews around the world. We must say clearly: the Kotel is ours — ours as Jews, ours as Israelis, ours as sons and daughters of Jerusalem. There we will continue to lift our prayers for the rebuilding of Jerusalem as a city of justice and fellowship.
Next week, a prayer gathering will take place at Ezrat Yisrael with the participation of Masorti communities from across the country — further details will follow soon.
From the festival of Purim and the story of the Book of Esther, we learn how fate can be transformed into destiny. Even in situations of silencing, we can raise our voices — for ourselves and for the entire Jewish people — and turn danger into an opportunity for action. According to the Midrash, Esther is also called Ayelet HaShachar, the dawn that illuminates the darkness of night. When we raise our voices, we raise a voice of hope — even in difficult times, watching over Zion with faith and vision.
Shabbat Shalom and may we share good news,
Rabbis Amirit and David
P.S. – The attached video was filmed following the Shacharit prayer at Ezrat Yisrael, with the participation of a delegation of 250 Masorti rabbis at the Rabbinical Assembly 'Bridging Dreams and Reality' convention held in 2024. Rabbi Amirit was
co-chair of the convention.
