Chief rabbis urges Orthodox leaders: Don't let Israel recognize Reform, Conservative rabbis

In a letter sent to hundreds of Orthodox rabbis, Rabbi Shlomo Amar expresses 'sorrow and terrible pain' over government's decision to recognize non-Orthodox rabbis, referring to them as 'destroyers of the religion.'

By Yair Ettinger | Jun.19, 2012 | 2:20 PM

Sephardic Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar sent a letter to hundreds of Orthodox rabbis in Israel calling on them to object to the state's intention to recognize and fund Reform and Conservative rabbis in towns around the country.

In the letter, Amar invited the clerics to an emergency meeting scheduled to take place next Tuesday at the Chief Rabbinate in Jerusalem. The aim of the gathering is to persuade Israel's political leaders to foil implementation of the High Court's ruling on the matter.

In May, Israel's government told the High Court of Justice that it was prepared to recognize Reform and Conservative rabbis and fund their salaries.

The statement came in response to a petition filed in 2005 by the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism demanding that the state finance non-Orthodox religious services in Israeli towns and villages, in addition to funding Orthodox rabbis and institutions.

http://www.haaretz.com/chief-rabbis-urges-orthodox-leaders-don-t-let-israel-recognize-reform-conservative-rabbis-1.437368