Two of the most heated topics that are avidly discussed by OT members in recent blogs are gender equality and anti-Semitism\u2014both worthy of serious consideration\u2014and not mutually exclusive.<\/p>\n
As those who know me will attest, I am not a big fan of organized religion\u2014or for that matter of religion itself. Not to offend anyone, but to my rational way of thinking\u2014I cannot view religious belief as more than superstition. Now, I have<\/em> had formal training in Jewish philosophy, so I know that those who \u2018believe\u2019 do need to take the \u2018leap of faith\u2019\u2014after all, that\u2019s what it\u2019s all about\u2014religion is the relinquishment of rationalism for belief.<\/p>\n Having said that, unfortunately I have also had too much experience with friends suffering from tragedy, illness and loss to understand that for some, religion and belief can be a tremendous consolation for those who are bereaved or suffering. So, who am I to criticize it if it helps them through difficult times? It would be like knocking the placebo effect. If the placebo is effective, then why not take advantage of it? But for me, of course, there is no placebo effect. One needs to believe in the placebo for it to work.<\/p>\n In any case, religion is a personal matter, and I fully recognize the rights of any group to their own beliefs (as long as they accord the very same respect to non-believers). Unfortunately, this tolerance for others is not always the case.<\/p>\n I\u2019m sure most readers will have heard of the Western Wall<\/a><\/em> or Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, as it is sometimes known. This is thought to be a remaining wall of the courtyard to the second Temple (built ~19 BC), and is considered the most holy site for Jews.<\/p>\n Since Israel has been unable\/unwilling to separate religion and state, the Wall<\/em> has become a contentious area. This is because it is administered by the Rabbinate in Israel\u2014an institution that fails to recognize any forms of Judaism, aside from the ultra-orthodox stream. Effectively, this means that the majority of Jews outside of Israel\u2014those who belong to the conservative and reform congregations\u2014are basically excluded from the agenda.<\/p>\n In fact, Israel\u2019s former 67 year-old president\u2014a purely symbolic position (analogous to the monarchy in the UK) and who by the way is now in jail for rape<\/a>\u2014was famous for his refusal to address the head of the American Union for Reform Judaism and acknowledge him as Rabbi Eric Yoffie.<\/p>\n Due to the control of the Wall<\/em> by the orthodox rabbinate, there has been continual discrimination against women. On the other hand, the Reform and Conservative movements of Judaism have long ago moved to an egalitarian system, where women have become equal partners in religion, and a growing number of communities sport head rabbis who are female. This, of course, is no less than heresy to the ultra-orthodox, who would probably even prefer atheists like me\u2014who at least don\u2019t pose a threat to their authority over the Wall<\/em> and religion within the State of Israel.<\/p>\n One group in Israel that has been committed to advancing the religious and overall rights of women is known as \u201cThe Women of the Wall<\/em><\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n To begin, at the Wall<\/em> itself, there is enforced gender separation, as for the orthodox, women pose a threat, due to their \u2018provocative sexual nature\u2019 and due to their \u2018uncleanliness.\u2019 Accordingly, a small fringe area of the Wall is currently designated for the other half of the population.<\/p>\n The Women of the Wall<\/em> group has been instrumental in continuing to fight for both gender equality and to fight religious discrimination (albeit, not the classic form of anti-Semitism). Equipped with prayer shawls and religious apparel that are typically reserved for men in the orthodox community, they faithfully come to pray at the Wall<\/em> every month, enduring dark discrimination from the orthodox, and even arrests by the Israeli police.<\/a><\/p>\n Perhaps after so many years of discrimination, there is a possibility of some change, based on a new proposal by former Soviet-refusenik Natan Sharansky<\/a>, who now chairs the Jewish Agency. However, being a cell biologist, for me seeing is believing\u2014and in this case, I\u2019ll believe it when I see it.<\/p>\n In the meantime, I hope that all of our bloggers and readers will remain united as a group that is committed to bettering our world by supporting equality and fighting discrimination wherever we can.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Two of the most heated topics that are avidly discussed by OT members in recent blogs are gender equality and anti-Semitism\u2014both worthy of serious consideration\u2014and not mutually exclusive. As those who know me will attest, I am not a big … Continue reading