Dear Friend,

Reform Judaism in Israel is under attack.



The Hazon (Vision) Movement is a recently formed right-wing ultra-Orthodox organization working to push Israeli society to conform to their vision of what "normal" should look like in Israel. The following ads from their recent ad campaign demonstrate just what their ‘normal’ is: The above ad reads -

Center: "A Reform grandfather = an assimilated father = a Gentile grandson"

Top corner: "Preserving a normal Kotel"

Bottom: "Hazon: Setting a Jewish agenda in the country" The above ad reads:

"A Reform Kotel?

That's not normal!

The time has come for Israeli society to go back to being what it really is - a society that sees Judaism as the basis for its existence, and to do it without fear and with its head held high.

The courage to be normal.

Hazon

Setting a Jewish agenda in the country" They are fighting to preserve their power over religious Jewish life in Israel. The rise in liberal Judaism is seen as a direct threat to their way of life and the way of life they want to impose on the rest of society. Anti-Reform incitement is an expression of fear of difference and the need to crush any variation on their narrow view of the world.



This incitement against Reform Jews resulted, almost inevitably, in physical violence at last Friday’s 30th anniversary celebration for Women of the Wall. "Reform Jews at the Kotel?

That's not normal!

The question of whether, on Friday, there will be sanctification of God or, God forbid, the opposite, depends on the attendance of each and everyone of you, and your encouragement of friends and family to join and organize additional shuttles!

Below are a list of subsidized shuttles, and contact people. Sign up in advance!

Hazon

Setting a Jewish agenda in the country" Hazon issued a call to the masses to crowd the Western Wall plaza to prevent Women of the Wall from carrying out their monthly prayers. The demonstrations led to violence. Our own director, Rabbi Noa Sattath, was pushed to the ground and injured.



Their actions illustrate what can happen when democracy and law and order are overtaken by self-righteous, corrupt, and close-minded theocracy. We are on the side of democracy, and our work is based on the Jewish values of דרך ארץ קדמה לתורה - Respect comes before Torah

and

ואהבת לרעך כמוך – Love thy neighbor as thyself.

In the wake of the violence last Friday, politicians on both sides of the aisle have come out for pluralism and equality at the Western Wall, stating that, if elected, they will reinstate the agreement to implement an egalitarian prayer space at the Western Wall.



While much of the time when I tell you about IRAC's work it is from a distance, this time I can tell you what it was like at the Western Wall this last Friday-and our continuing work for pluralism at the Western Wall-in person. I am flying to the US on Tuesday, and am eager to tell you about the impact we are having on the ground in Israel. Support IRAC's work towards a pluralistic Israel.



Yours,

Yours, Invite Anat to Your Community Bringing Anat to your community is a great way to support Israel and learn first-hand about the beauty and the complexity of life in Israel. For more information, click here Hear Anat Speak Come hear Anat speak in the US this March and April:

March 15 – Temple Israel in Bloomfield, MI

March 26 – Three Weddings and a Statement at Washington Hebrew Congregation in Washington, DC

March 29 – Temple Beth Avodah in Newton, MA

March 30 – Temple Sinai in Brookline, MA

April 4 & 6 – Temple Sinai Congregation in Toronto Three Weddings and a Statement You are cordially invited to Three Weddings and a Statement at Washington Hebrew Congregation in Washington, DC on March 26 (following the AIPAC conference). For more information and to RSVP, click here. We hope to see you there! IRAC in the News Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Youths Violently Disrupt Feminist Prayer Service at Western Wall Special service held to mark the 30th anniversary of Women of the Wall, which falls on International Women's Day. Israel Police accuses Women of the Wall of provoking clashes, in which several women were hurt, including IRAC director, Rabbi Noa Sattath. Read more in Haaretz

U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT LETTER TO PLAY ROLE IN OTZMA'S SUPREME COURT DEFENSE

The Central Elections Committee voted not to ban Otzma from running in the April 9 election, following a petition by Meretz, Labor MK Stav Shaffir and the Reform Movement’s Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC), but they appealed the decision to the Supreme Court, which will have the final say on the matter. Read more in the Jerusalem Post Support IRAC's Work