Reform Rabbis in Israel Receive State Salaries for First Time

Tuesday's announcement that four non-Orthodox communal rabbis have received state-paid salaries represents a major step forward for religious pluralism in Israel.  Although we continue to believe that the goal of full and equal recognition of non-Orthodox Jewry and their rabbis must be fulfilled as soon as possible, we welcome the long-overdue state compensation for Rabbis Miri Gold of the Gezer Regional Council, Stacey Blank of the Mateh Yehuda Regional Council, Gadi Raviv of the Misgav Regional Council, and Benji Gruber of Hevel Eliot Regional Council.  While the state continues to fund religious services, including rabbis' salaries, this funding must be provided on an equal basis for all denominations. We are proud of the longtime work of Reform Movement leaders and congregants in Israel and around the world advocating for parity in title and payment among Israel's non-Orthodox rabbis.  In 2005, the Movement's Israel Religious Action Center brought a lawsuit against the State on behalf of Rabbi Miri Gold and in 2012, won a legal battle when the government agreed to pay the salaries of the non-Orthodox rabbis. Though the funds come from the Ministry of Sport and Culture, rather than the Religious Services Ministry that covers the salaries of Orthodox rabbis, the state's recognition of Reform rabbis as such is crucial. Though there remains much work to be done to ensure the religious rights of all streams of Israeli Jewry – including the equality of non-Orthodox rabbis to serve as city and regional rabbis throughout Israel, and to perform state recognized marriages, and the right of all Jews, male and female, to pray openly and equally at the Western Wall - we applaud this week's development and the government for fulfilling its obligation.