Should promote acceptance of diverse Jewish practices

Israel’s gov’t.

As a graduate of Hebrew College, Boston, and a religious school educator for more than 40 years, I wish to comment on the article “Rabbinic ‘Blacklist’ in Israel Causes Local Conversion Stir” (July 24) regarding local rabbis’ invalidation. As Rabbi Seth Adelson had stated: “The list itself changes nothing to beginwith ... they don’t think I qualify enough as a rabbi because I lead a Conservative congregation.”

I agree with Rabbi Adelson. Nothing here has really changed regarding these local rabbis’ qualifications to perform conversions. The attack is against the Conservative movement in general (as were rabbis of more liberal movements formerly cited). The problem here is the recent granting of more power by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the Israeli Rabbinate as the sole authority over conversions, who tend to limit rather than expand upon the definition of “who is a Jew.” This increased authority jeopardizes the legitimacy of more diaspora (outside of Israel) converts, for whom this decision is very personal.

The events occurring in Israel today are of grave concern to all Jews around the world: Note also the recent stepped-up harassment by the Orthodox toward the “Women of the Wall” (a group of women who wish only to pray every Sabbath in an egalitarian section of the Wall — which was promised and then reneged upon recently by Mr. Netanyahu’s government). Actions like these exacerbate violence and tensions in Israel.

Israel is a state founded and populated mainly by Jews, but it is also a democracy. A solution to this problem would be if the government of Israel would lean more toward democratic rather than religious values, and as such, encourage acceptance of: 1) a diversity of theological viewpoints within the Jewish religion, and 2) diversity of practice in the Jewish community — recognizing that we have one God but there can be different ways (not just one true way) of worshipping Him. Just as in genetics, the health of an individual is better if somewhat diverse, so too in religion — diversity of reasoned opinions can bring a more robust, enduring society. Intolerance of different practices and beliefs is not good for the people or the country as a whole, and not forJudaism in general. JANIS DAVIDSON

O’Hara