The Israel & Masorti Committee oversee Israel education and programming. This past year the committee worked to get out the vote for the World Zionist Congress elections supporting the Mercaz party. Adath continues its relationship with Rabbi Dikla Druckmans's congregation, Magen Avraham in Omer. Our congregants and the Israel Committee generously supported Magen Avraham’s capital campaign to build an additional bomb shelter. Last October, members from both congregations visited Poland together. 

Masorti News &
Articles

Advocate for plurialism in israel elected new chair of masorti foundation

New York, NY, January 8, 2019 - The Masorti Foundation for Conservative Judaism in Israel is proud to announce the election of Heidi Schneider as its incoming Chair of the Board effective January 1, 2019.

To her 25+ years of work on behalf of Masorti/Conservative Judaism here and in Israel, Ms. Schneider brings the passion of someone who has chosen Judaism. 
A former litigator and a public speaker, she is an ardent Zionist, seeker of social justice, and fearless truth teller. Rabbi Robert Slosberg, current Chair, said: “The Foundation is in good hands with Heidi; she’s a leader of great integrity, matching her words and beliefs with action.”
 
On a mission to Israel, Ms. Schneider confronted Member of Knesset Yair Lapid because her son--while attending high school in Israel--had been told he was not a Jew. She asked: “ How do you think it felt to my Jewish child to be told in Israel, the country he loves, by an Israeli, a fellow Jew, that he is not Jewish? It makes my blood boil, and it should yours, too. I ask you, MK Lapid, can you assure me that you will do everything in your power to assure that my children, and the children of other faithful converts to Judaism will be welcomed as equally Jewish in the only Jewish state?”

The pursuit of an egalitarian, pluralistic, and welcoming Israel has been central to Ms. Schneider’s life and to her work as past president of her congregation, Adath Jeshurun in Minneapolis, as a lay leader of the Overseas Committee of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation, and as a Trustee of the Masorti Foundation. In all these roles she has been an inspiring community leader and teacher.

Rabbi Harold Kravitz of Adath Jeshurun says: “ Heidi has been a trusted partner, a warm and true friend, a tireless advocate for the congregation, and for Masorti/Conservative Judaism. I’m proud and delighted at her elevation to Chair of the Masorti Foundation. Heidi’s vision for building a thriving future for modern religious streams in Israel is exactly what’s needed—with her dynamism and spirit, she’ll be unstoppable.”

Beth Leonard, former Board Chair of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation who now serves on the Board of Governors of JAFI (Jewish Agency for Israel), adds: “ Heidi is an extraordinary leader of our community and our synagogue. She inspires with wisdom and kindness, championing the cause of Masorti Judaism in Israel.”

 “ I’m honored,” says Ms. Schneider, "to have been chosen Chair. I am continually inspired by the important work of our Masorti colleagues in Israel. I’m prepared to channel my energy to hold the State of Israel true to the words of its founding document, that it “ will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex; it will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education, and culture…”    

Ms. Schneider and Executive Director Gideon Aronoff are laser-focused on issues of religious equality and social justice in Israel including:

• Recognition of the legitimacy of all Jewish streams in Israel;
• Acceptance of converts, including Masorti Jews from Uganda;
• Full equality at the Kotel, including expanded egalitarian prayer space;
• Support for the rights of the disabled to fully participate in Jewish practice; starting with Bar and Bat Mitzvah ceremonies.

Says Mr. Aronoff of Heidi’s election: “ Heidi has been a tireless advocate and passionate fighter in the struggle for equality, and for observance combined with modernity, in Israel. I am thrilled to be working in partnership with her, and grateful to have her guidance, as together we propel Masorti to the forefront of leadership in the Jewish community in Israel.”

Masorti foundation high holy day appeal

Do you believe that it is important for Israel to be a home for all Jews? A democratic, open, pluralistic society where religious freedom is guaranteed? The Historic Kotel (Western Wall) agreement, signed in January and approved by the Israeli Government, has yet to be implemented. Without our help, it may never move forward. To read the information letter, click HERE. For a sample letter to send, click HERE. 

One wall for one people

Posted October 7, 2016 

Do you believe that it is important for Israel to be a home for all Jews? A democratic, open, pluralistic society where religious freedom is guaranteed? The Historic Kotel (Western Wall) agreement, signed in January and approved by the Israeli Government, has yet to be implemented. Without our help, it may never move forward. To read the information letter, click HERE. For a sample letter to send, click HERE.

contact prime minister netanyahu today

​Posted July 13, 2016

From Heidi Schneider, Adath Israel Committee Co-Chair:
I urge you to contact Prime Minister Netanyahu today about the Kotel.
 
The agreement to create a beautiful and easily accessible egalitarian worship space at the Kotel which was entered into by the Prime Minister in January has yet to be implemented, and in fact, appears to be unraveling.
 
This is not only about the Kotel. It is a poignant symbol of the ongoing lack of respect Conservative and Reform Jews receive from the Israeli government.  We need to support our colleagues in Israel.  And we need to stand up for our movement.  We too are Jews, and we deserve recognition.
 
Please feel free to copy my letter below to send to the Prime Minister. Time is of the essence.  He is considering his options on the Kotel right now.

Contact Prime Minister Netanyahu HERE
 
Dear Prime Minister Netanyahu:
Please fulfill your promise regarding the Kotel agreement. If Israel calls itself a Jewish State, it must be a state for all the Jewish people. You gave us such hope in your speech to the General Assembly in November, with your commitment to greater inclusion of American Jewish values in Israel. We are proud Zionists.  Please don’t let us down.

For more background information read the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism's letter HER

historic agreement at the kotel (Western Wall)

Posted January, 2016

​By Yizhar Hess, CEO Masorti Israel
A historic compromise that redefines the relationship between religion and state in Israel has been reached! After 25 years of fraught negotiations, for the first time in the history of the State of Israel, non-orthodox Judaism has achieved formal status in our holiest of places - the Kotel.
 
Finally, there will be one Kotel: Walking through one common entrance, visitors will be able to choose which part of the Kotel they would like to pray or visit - the Northern Plaza of the Western Wall which respects Orthodox custom, or the Southern Plaza that respects the egalitarian traditions of both Conservative and Reform Judaism. The two plazas, north and south, will provide Torah scrolls, siddurim, tables for Torah reading and everything necessary for every man and woman to pray as they see fit.   Every month, Women of the Wall will be able to pray, undisturbed in the Southern Plaza. 
 
Equality and pluralism: This agreement updates the protocols safeguarding the holy site, and for the first time in history, the following explicit words will appear in the law books of the State of Israel:
 
"The customs of this site will be based on principles of pluralism and gender equality, and prayer at this site will be egalitarian and un-segregated, women and men together, without a partition."
 
From today, every solution to every dispute must give expression to the simple, basic and natural fact that there is more than one way to be Jewish. While we did not achieve everything that we wanted, this day is a day of celebration for Jewish pluralism in Israel - for Conversion, Marriage and Kashrut.
 
This historic compromise represents so many achievements.  The egalitarian plaza will have several large and extensive levels.  Spreading out over an expanse that will include a raised prayer plaza (constructed) and all of the Herodian Street area, the entire prayer plaza will stand at almost 900 square meters (for means of comparison, the area is about 70% as large as the present men's section at the Western Wall and 130% larger than the present women's section).
 
A Public Council, to be appointed by the Prime Minister, will be headed by the Chairperson of the Jewish Agency and six representatives (two from each) from the Conservative Movement, the Reform Movement and Women of the Wall, alongside six professional representatives from the Prime Minister's office and various Ministries, as well as the Israel Antiquities Authority. This is the first Statutory Council in which representatives of the Conservative and Reform Movements in Israel, by definition, will have been officially appointed to participate.
 
The Conservative Movement in Israel is filled with pride because it was back in the year 2000, that we were the first to adopt the compromise resolution of Robinson's Arch. Since then, hundreds of thousands of Israelis, Conservative Jews and others from around the world were weclomed to the site to pray and to celebrate bnei mitzvah, and other special occasions.  
 
Throughout that time, the Masorti Movement maintained regular prayer at the site, and absorbed all of the expenses, including the provision of Torah scrolls. We are proud that we were able to provide this service throughout this long transition period, and are very pleased to pass this heavy financial burden onto the shoulders of the Israeli government, as should have occurred long ago.  
 
Thanks to this agreement, the Prime Minister's office will assign a permanent annual budget for the site's management, maintenance, marketing and religious services that will be provided to the public at-large.
 
Our thank you list is long and it demonstrates the complexity of this accomplishment and so we wish to publicly acknowledge herewith, The Prime Minister of the State of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu who promised "One Wall for One People" and stood behind his promise; to Yitzhak ("Bougie") Herzog who during the time that he served as Cabinet Secretary, designed and implemented the compromise of Robinson's Arch for the first time; to Zvi Hauser, the previous Cabinet Secretary, that prepared the foundation of the Resolution on which it stands today; to Naftali Bennet, who during the time that he served as Minister of Jerusalem and Diaspora Affairs, established "Ezrat Yisrael" - the temporary prayer plaza at Robinson's Arch; to Natan Sharansky, Chairperson of the Jewish Agency, who accompanied these negotiations with determination and deep wisdom; to Jerry Silverman and Becky Caspi, from the Jewish Federations of North America; to Rabbi Julie Schonfeld, Executive Vice President of the Rabbinical Assembly; to Rabbi Steve Wernick, Executive Director of the North American Conservative Movement; to Rabbi Rick Jacobs, Head of the Reform Movement; to Rabbi Sandra Kochmann, Masorti Kotel Coordinator, and to my close friends over the long years of negotiation - Rabbi Gilad Kariv, Executive Director of the Reform Movement in Israel, Anat Hoffman, Batya Kalish and Lesley Sachs from Women of the Wall, Rabbi Andy Sacks, Director of Masorti's Rabbinical Assembly in Israel; to the senior assistants of the Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Gil Limon and Ronen Peretz, Adv.;, and of course to the Cabinet Secretary himself, Dr. Avichai Mandelblit, who in the perseverance of a  lawmaker,  חרדת קודש של תלמיד חכם ואורך רוח של איש מידות, accompanied the formation of this resolution up until his last day in office, bringing an end to this dispute, in conjunction with widespread agreement and mutual respect.
 
And an extra thank you that is not to be taken for granted, to the Rabbi of the Western Wall, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch. We never actually met face to face. We never shook hands. Negotiations took place through a messenger. Who but us knows that, just like us, you attained quite a few achievements in the finalization of this resolution? And yet, despite this, you were forced, just as we were, to concede many important issues as well. We wish us all good relations as neighbors, peace, and even, maybe friendship. 
 
Lastly, we wish to thank our supporters in North America, who encouraged us, donated sifrei Torah and with their financial help facilitated the provision of these important services for the past 16 years. Todah Rabah!

Videos &
​Recordings

​Masorti Conservative Rabbis in Times of Change and Crisis

women, clergy and resilience in the masorti israel movement

Click to watch

Masorti Shabbat: Magen Avraham, A Shining Example of Life in a Masorti Kehillah

Masorti Shabbat D'var Torah with Hazzan Joanna Dulkin and Heidi Schneider

Cheif rabbinate abusing their power

TV Channel 10 story about the Chief Rabbinate abusing their power to deny the use of Sifrei Torah to Masorti & Reform Jews in Israeli hotels

masorti women in leadership webinar

Educational
​Programming

rav siach study guides

• ​​Check out all our Israel education and programming HERE
  
• Lessons from Rabin's Assassination
• The Diaspora's Relationship with the Jewish Community in Israel
• Tu Bishvat Program
  

Behukkotai and Beyond: If-Then Reflections on Intermarriage and Israel

Behukkotai and Beyond
If-Then Reflections on Intermarriage and Israel
Read a sermon by Rabbi Weininger HERE

Interfaith Presentation

Visit the Masorti Website