Free Republic

Dec. 23, 2003 Close the religious councils By MICHAEL BOYDEN As we approach the beginning of 2004, the chances that religious councils will be abolished by the end of this December seem increasingly remote. Not that anyone should be surprised. All too often, the Promised Land turns out, in fact, to be the land of unfulfilled promises. Although seldom heard of - except when they decide to go on strike and close their doors to those whom they are supposed to serve - the religious councils are meant to be there to meet our needs. The Jewish Religious Services Law,...

May. 29, 2003 Jerusalem Masorti synagogue vandalized again By ARYEH DEAN COHEN Kehilat Ya'ar Ramot, the Masorti synagogue in Jerusalem's Ramot Bet, was vandalized on Thursday, the words "Bet Knesset me'urav l'erev rav" (a mixed synagogue for the rabble) drawn on the synagogue's glass-encased bulletin board and on an adjoining wall, along with a hand making an obscene gesture. The "erev rav" was the "mixed multitude" of non-Jews who according to the Bible left Egypt with the Israelites. The synagogue has been vandalized in the past, with the sanctuary suffering fire and smoke damage after an arson attack three years...