Synagogue and State in Israel in light of Recent Events

In recent months, the Israeli government surrendered to the ultraorthodox religious minority on several important issues. Most of us know of the decision to cancel the construction of a new egalitarian prayer pavilion at the Western Wall and to solidify an ultra-Orthodox monopoly over recognizing conversions to Judaism. Those ultra-orthodox power plays caused significant uproar in our community. [Listen to the Israel Podcast’s episode on the Western Wall Between US and Israeli Jewry.