Dear Members of the National Assembly,
Today, I am writing from Israel, here to represent Hadassah on the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency for Israel. This morning a Jewish Agency resolution was adopted that "Denounces Government Decisions on Western Wall and Conversion, Calls on Government to Reverse Course."
In January 2016, Hadassah applauded the historic decision to create a space for egalitarian prayer at the Western Wall. As the Jewish Agency resolution states, there must be one wall for one people.
While Hadassah continues to support the right of all Jews to worship at the Western Wall, we are deeply concerned by the Israeli government's conversion bill, potentially harmful for Israelis and worldwide Judaism. As the Jewish Agency resolution states, the proposed bill would cement a Chief Rabbinate monopoly on conversion and "has the devastating potential to permanently exclude hundreds of thousands of Israelis from being a part of the Jewish people."
Alongside PRAZE Coordinator Judy Shereck, Hadassah's liaison to the Jewish Agency, I am working behind the scenes and on the ground in Israel to create a letter with stronger language to be sent to the Jewish Agency regarding conversions. We must not just protect those who have made aliyah, but ensure that Israel continues to welcome Diaspora Jews who have undergone or will undergo Conservative and Reform conversions.
Working together, Diaspora Jews and Israeli Jews make Israel a stronger and more inclusive country.
B'Shalom,
Ellen Hershkin
National President
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