True intent

Regarding “Stop the Kotel travesty” editorial from July 1, it is about time that we ended the artificial disagreement between Israel and the Diaspora regarding a space for non-Orthodox prayer at the Kotel.

For the sake of a few million taxpayers shekels I suggest that a place for the non-Orthodox to pray should be built. Then we can all go back to being nice to each other.

It is the Jews in America who are up in arms at the seeming non-recognition of the needs of American Jewry.

Most of the prayer at the Kotel is private outpouring of people’s inner thoughts desires and needs. There are times when there are communal prayers, mostly on Mondays and Thursdays for people who wish to celebrate a bar mitzvah.

On Shabbat and holidays, and especially on Shavuot, there are numerous prayer groups, however mostly on week days it is private prayer.

Secular Jews in Israel are not interested although the Knesset opposition likes the controversy to beat up the government, and in Israel it is only the Women of the Wall who gather nine or 10 times a year to make their presence felt by making a noise and interfering with those others who wish to commune with God quietly who would be affected.

Those of the Reform and Conservative movements in Israel who do come to the Kotel to pray, apart from the WoW, do so as most others do for personal and private prayer.

So, the problem is the Diaspora Jews. Most of the Reform community in America have not visited Israel or intend to do so, so they will not be taking advantage of the separate space.

Conservative Jews who come to Israel might take the opportunity to pray in a mixed quorum at the Kotel but perhaps not.

In a short while the matter will die down and we will all be able to get back to normal.

How much will the space be used after a few months is anybody’s guess. The Women of the Wall will then think up a new way of making a noise and it may all start up again.

My suggestion, which I know will be treated with derision, is that if the women who make up the WoW really and truly wish to pray for the nine or 10 times a year that they do, they will be better off in the quiet confines of a Reform house of worship, perhaps in the Hebrew Union College if there is such a place within their walls.

It is impossible under the current conditions for them to pray with kavana (intent) at the Kotel and expect their prayers to be heard by whoever they are praying to. CYRIL ATKINS Bet Shemesh