International women's day: women Pray at the Western wall harassed

At the wailing wall in Jerusalem, it came to riots. The reason: A group of Jews prayed there, with singing and religious symbols. Ultra-Orthodox see this as a provocation.

By Benjamin Hammer, ARD Studio Tel Aviv

in The Morning at the wailing wall in Jerusalem: women with Kippot, Jewish hats, women with prayer shawls, women holding a Torah scroll and pray. For the Jewish women of the "Women of the Wall", it is a holiday. Celebrate the 30. Anniversary of their organization. As long as you ask, that women are allowed to pray at the wailing wall with the same Rights and symbols as men.

Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews - men and women - is not to celebrate to Mute. You have come to disturb the "Women of the Wall". Many of the strictly religious Jews screaming. Some spit. From the point of view of most of the Ultra-Orthodox, it is a provocation, if women wear prayer shawls and sing. These things were reserved for the men. It's nice to see the wailing wall, a competent Rabbi.

Orthodox Jews demonstrate against the "Women of the Wall" and are held back by police officers.

The Ultra-Orthodox feel, among other things provoked that women should wear a prayer shawl.

"as revolutionary as Rosa Parks, 1955"

way. She is the Chairwoman of the "Women of the Wall":

"The wailing wall is the center of Judaism in Israel. But it's also become a center of religious coercion. We are committed to women. We pray and read from the Torah. What we do is just as revolutionary as a girl in Afghanistan, against the Taliban is fighting because it wants to go to school. Or, as Rosa Parks refused in 1955 as Black, to vacate their seat on a Bus in Alabama."

Anat Hoffmann is the Chairman of Women of the Wall

"Obviously, these women come to pray to"

statements such as these are likely to be seen in the ultra-Orthodox rabbis in Israel as a provocation. The dispute about women's rights at the wailing wall will be played for years, bitterly.

The Rabbi Dror Arieh is one of the leaders of the ultra-Orthodox Hazon movement. The had called for the protests against the "Women of the Wall". "The Western wall is the heart of the Jewish people," he said to the Portal, Ynet. "Over ten million Jews each year come to this place to pray in accordance with the customs that are common here. It is not obvious that these women come here to pray. You want to provoke. And you try to legitimize the reform Judaism."

The so-called reform, municipalities are not recognized by the chief rabbis of Israel. In these communities, there are Rabbis and singing in the synagogues. In ultra-Orthodox communities would be something unthinkable.

The women of the organization "Women of the Wall" have been fighting for many years for your concern: equality, tolerance, and religious diversity.

"This is not a dispute between men and women"

to get The dispute at the Western wall has long been a political component. In the USA, many members of the reform Judaism of life. They accuse the Israeli government against the ultra-religious rabbis of falling. So, Anat Hoffmann of the "Women of the Wall sees it". She worries that their Interpretation of Judaism is accepted in Israel is less and less.

there is A conflict between men and women are not, by the way, says Hoffmann. A lot of men would support her concerns, she says. "This is not a dispute between men and women. This is a conflict between those who believe that the values of the Jewish state chauvinist and racist. And those who believe in equality, tolerance, and religious diversity." the

your prayers on Friday morning had to be the "Women of the Wall" cancel. The situation threatened to escalate. For Hoffmann, is still, In a few weeks she returns to the wailing wall.

international women's day: women Pray at the Western wall harassed
Benjamin Hammer, ARD Tel Aviv
08.03.2019 11:51 PM

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