| | | | | | | | | | In January 2023, barely a month after getting sworn in, Israel's current government unveiled its judicial overhaul scheme, sparking mass protests across the country. Among the many organizations that joined the pro-democracy movement was a group of religious Zionists who called themselves – rather aptly – "Religious. Zionists. Democrats." Its members wanted to make clear that the latest government to be headed by Benjamin Netanyahu, the most religious in Israeli history, did not speak in their name or represent them in any way.
After October 7, "Religious. Zionists. Democrats" continued to exist on WhatsApp but stayed away from the protests out of a belief that it is not appropriate to take to the streets during wartime. In recent months, these protests have gained momentum, with the government's renewed assault on Israel's democratic institutions and with public opinion slowly turning against the war. Indeed, public opinion polls show that a large majority of Israelis now believe bringing home the hostages should take precedence over bringing down Hamas.
As the streets of Israel fill again with protesters, many have been asking: Where are the rabbis and the religious leaders of this country? Do they not know that there is no greater mitzvah than redeeming hostages? Do they not believe in the sanctification of life as one of the cardinal principles of Judaism?
As we report in this piece, some Orthodox Israelis are starting to speak out, including prominent members of the religious Zionist establishment. And indeed, even within the religious community, as figures provided exclusively to Haaretz reveal, public opinion about the war has shifted dramatically over the past year.
Many time zones away, in Southern California, Andrew Esensten profiles Jenni Asher, the first Black-American Jewish Woman to be ordained as a cantor. One friend compared her to Jackie Robinson, the first Black player in Major League Baseball. "It takes a certain person with a certain character to make a difference, and Jenni is that type of person," he said. | | |
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