The State of Israel is actually enabling rabbinic regulations that harm women and deprive them of their rights. That accusation, backed up by real-life examples, was the central point of a lecture presented by CWJ director Dr. Susan Weiss in partnership with the Jerusalem Bar Association. The seminar, with 25 legal professionals in attendance, took place on October 20, 2015.

Susan explained that, as an arm of the State, the Chief Rabbinate is authorized to put its own rules and procedures in place, in order to help it enforce Jewish law. She showed that much of this “secondary legislation” has its root in the most stringent interpretation of the halakha, and its application often results in gross human rights violations. Susan described the State’s secret blacklist of people it deems ineligible for marriage to other Jews, as well as other protocols that impinge on women’s privacy, dignity and autonomy. 

Susan posited that the government/rabbinate should be working instead to optimize democratic values, and that some of the existing policies should be abolished altogether. She drew on CWJ cases and those portrayed in the Din v’Dayan journalto provide deeper insights into the extent of the problem and present CWJ’s tactical legal solutions. 

While many participants reported that they found the lecture thought provoking and informative, others argued in favor of the secondary legislation, saying that there is no other way to protect halakha on core issues such as marriage and divorce. The heated discussion throughout the lecture reflected the deep divisions in Israeli society, and the importance of forums such as these as a first step toward substantive societal change.

One participant – a twenty-something, ultra-Orthodox attorney – expressed staunch support for the rabbinate’s stance.  “If you don’t want halakha to rule over the general populace,” he said, “then close down the rabbinic court system.”

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. 

CWJ extends gratitude to the following supporters whose direct assistance is ensuring that our educational message reaches the Israeli public and builds momentum for change: David Berg Foundation, Greater Miami Jewish Federation Women’s Amutot Initiative, Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta, Jewish Women’s Foundation of South Palm Beach County, the Miriam Fund and the Tikkun Olam Women’s Foundation of Greater Washington, as well as to donors whose general support provides a secure foundation for advancing this key project.