I

World

Religious Battle

Opponents alarmed as Israeli conversion bill moves ahead.

Jacob Berkman

Jewish Telegraphic Agency

\New York

0

pponents of a controversial bill
that could give the Orthodox
Rabbinate the final say over con-
versions in Israel are trying to keep the bill
from moving ahead in the Israeli Knesset
after its surprise introduction and passage
by a Knesset committee.
For months, Israeli lawmakers have
been discussing a bill that would put more
power over conversion into the hands of
Israel's Orthodox-dominated Rabbinate
by giving local rabbis the ability to per-
form conversions and giving the Chief
Rabbinate oversight and control over the
whole process.
The bill, sponsored by Yisrael Beiteinu
Knesset member David Rotem, gained
steam last week with its approval in the
Knesset law committee by a 5-4 vote. The
bill now must pass three readings before
the full Knesset to become law. Opponents
are desperately trying to stall the process,
at least until the Knesset starts a two-
month break this week.
"They have to bring it to the Knesset
now for a first reading and we have to
make sure that it will not happen," the
chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel,
Natan Sharansky, told JTA.
Sharansky is leading a coalition against
the bill that includes the leaders of the
North American Jewish federation system
and the non-Orthodox Jewish religious
movements in the United States.
In a letter to
congregants, Rabbi
Aaron Bergman
of Adat Shalom
Synagogue in
Farmington Hills said
the "this bill disen-
franchises the vast
majority of Jews both
Rabbi Bergman
in Israel and around
the world who are
not ultra-Orthodox."
At a Cabinet meeting Sunday, Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said
he opposes the bill because it "could tear
apart the Jewish people." He is working
to make sure the bill does not reach the
Knesset floor.

28 July 22 2010

"It is important for us, for the
unanimity of the moment, that we
have to keep the pressure on."

- Rabbi Steven Wernick

On Sunday, Netanyahu said he will
instruct his Likud Party lawmakers to vote
against the bill if it
comes to a vote.

justice minister and minister for diaspora
affairs, had agreed to work with Sharans
on altering the bill.
But Rotem caught
Sharansky and the
Wrong Intent?
diaspora leaders by
Rotem's bill origi-
surprise by bring-
nally was intended
ing the bill to a
to ease the conver-
committee vote last
sion process within
week; Sharans
Israel and make
was given only a
it easier for non-
day warning.
Jewish Israelis of
The move set
Soviet extraction to
off a maelstrom
obtain conversions
of criticism from
and marry within
the diaspora. The
Israel.
CEO of the Jewish
Despite its intent,
Federations of
opponents warned
North America,
that the bill would
Jerry Silverman,
consolidate control
called Rotem's
David Rotem, chairman of the Knesset's
over conversions
action a "betrayal."
Constitution, Law and Justice
in the office of the
In a letter of
Committee, pushed a controversial
Chief Rabbinate
protest from the
conversion bill through on July 12.
and drive a wedge
president of the
between Israel and
Union for Reform
the diaspora by carrying the risk that
Judaism that was signed by 14 other orga-
non-Orthodox conversions performed in
nizations, including various arms of the
the diaspora could be discounted in Israel.
Conservative movement, Rabbi Eric Yoffie
In addition, they said the bill would affect
wrote, "Rotem's actions are contrary to the
the eligibility of converts for the Law of
assurances we received in meetings with
Return, which grants the right to Israeli
him and with others over the last several
citizenship to anyone who is Jewish or at
months."
least has one Jewish grandparent.
In an interview with JTA, Rotem was
The opponents urged Rotem to revise
unapologetic about moving ahead and
the proposal. They believed they had a
said, "This bill will pass, no doubt."
deal in place with Rotem to hold off on
"I never promised anything," Rotem
the bill pending more discussion after
said. "I told them all the time in the meet-
Rotem came to the United States in April
ings that if I will see there is a majority, I
to discuss the bill with them and after a
will bring it a vote. No one can say I prom-
number of meetings between Sharansky
ised anything."
and Netanyahu.
Just Israeli?
Unexpected Turn?
In their discussions with Rotem, diaspora
Several top Israeli officials, including the
leaders expressed concern about an item

in the bill that would have taken away the
right to automatic citizenship for anyone
who comes to Israel as a refugee but then
converts to Judaism.
Rotem removed that item before push-
ing the bill through the law committee.
Now, he says, the bill has no effect on
American or diaspora Jews and that this
is solely an Israeli matter over which non-
Israeli Jews should have no say.
"I don't know why they wanted to have
discussions:' he said. "I came to the U.S.
I spoke to leaders and I explained this is
nothing that touched the American com-
munity. It has nothing to with Jews in the
diaspora. It is only an Israeli matter:'

Building Opposition
Since last week, Sharansky has engaged in
several discusions with Israeli lawmakers.
The Jewish Federations say that
Silverman and federation lay leaders met
with Israel's President Shimon Peres.
Peres, according to a JFNA press release,
pressed for more dialogue on the pro-
posed bill that would give American voices
greater credence.
"More than half of our people are living
in the State of Israel. Almost half of it lives
outside of Israel. We should remember that
those living outside of Israel are not repre-
sented by the Knesset, they have their own
communal life," Peres told the group.
"A discussion that bears consequences
on the entire Jewish people should include
different voices — from within Israel
and from without. The legislative process
should include an open public discus-
sion that will lead to an understanding. It
should be conducted with tolerance, with
open hearts and open minds."

Not Over
"It is important for us, for the unanim-
ity of the moment, that we have to keep
the pressure on:' Rabbi Steven Wernick,
the executive vice president of the United
Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, told
JTA.
"I think it would be an error to think
that in the political society as dynamic
and hyper-dynamic as Israel is that we are
done with this',' he said.
"The people who care about these issues
have to constantly keep them on the agen-
da and explain why they are important to
decision makers."