From the Editor:

A funny thing happened on the way to compiling this edition of ARZA E-ALERT. 

Our assumption had been that the edition would focus exclusively on the Obama-Netanyahu meeting and its aftermath.  But the day after that meeting, Israel’s High Court (the counterpart of our Supreme Court) handed down a ruling ordering the government to provide financial support for non-Orthodox conversion classes on the same basis as it supports the Orthodox.  This is a monumental breakthrough for Israeli Reform Judaism in its fight for Jewish pluralism and equal status, and especially for the Israel Religious Action Center, which argued the case; the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism, which is overcoming legal and political obstacles in becoming a force in Israeli life:  and MARAM--The Council of Israeli Progressive Rabbis, whose members are true spiritual pioneers.

There is little doubt as to which is the bigger story.  But our Israel movement’s leaders have worked long and hard for the High Court’s ruling.  And ARZA’s members contribute significant funds to IRAC and IMPJ through their ARZA dues, making this their victory, as well.  So we’ll lead with it.  

The New York Jewish Week article is an excellent summary of the Court’s decision and its significance (1).  IRAC’s director Anat Hoffman expresses her thanks for ARZA continuing support (2).  A Jerusalem Post editorial expresses the appreciation of many Israelis (3).  Another view, voiced by a leader of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, offers a different perspective, and serves as a reminder that there remains much work to be done (4).

We offer six assessments of the White House meeting: The New York Times (5); David Horovitz in the Jerusalem Post (6); Aluf Benn in Ha’aretz (7); Ron Kampeas in the JTA (8); and Caroline Glick in the Jerusalem Post (9).  Ami Eden of JTA summarizes next-day takes by columnists in The Washington Post and the Washington Times as a snapshot of the diverse opinion being hurled from left and right (10).

For a change of pace, noted Holocaust scholar Yehuda Bauer reflects on Pope Benedict XIV’s visit (11), and historian Benny Morris critiques the moral relativism employed by many of Israel’s critics (12).

And now, it’s out to the barbecue to fire up some fleishig eats to sustain me through Thursday’s blintzes.

Chag Shavuot Sameach,

Rabbi Ira Youdovin

1. Window for Pluralism
2. Letter from Anat Hoffman
3. Jerusalem Post Editorial
4. “Warning” from Shas Minister
5. New York Times’ assessment of the Obama-Netanyahu meeting
6. David Horovitz
7. Aluf Benn
8. Ron Kampeas
9. Caroline Glick
10. Ami Eden
11. Yehuda Bauer on Pope’s visit
12. Benny Morris

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