Israel Ordered to Recognize Non-Orthodox Conversions We're
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Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Norwich, CT 06360 Permit #329 Serving The Jewish Communities of Eastern Connecticut & Western R.I. CHANGE SERVICE RETURN TO: 28 Channing St., New London, CT 06320 REQUESTED VOL. XLVII NO.5 PUBLISHED BI-WEEKLY MARCH 5, 2021/21 ADAR 5781 NEXT DEADLINE MAR. 12, 2021 16 PAGES HOW TO REACH US - PHONE 860-442-8062 • FAX 860-540-1475 • EMAIL [email protected] • BY MAIL: 28 CHANNING STREET, NEW LONDON, CT 06320 We’re gonna make this place our home Israel ordered to recognize three back and forths before I un- derstood that he was telling me non-Orthodox conversions about a new app. New for me. Not for him. By the time 2013-14 rolled and I loved it! I’ll never forget thearound, moment I was in a proearly on April WhatsApp when - sApp from May Abudraham with soI received much excitement,a phone call practically on What screaming in my ear, “I’m com- ing to New London!” she shouted. “I’m coming to New London!” It took me a second or two till I realized she was telling me she Welcoming our 2013-14 Young Emissaries to orientation at Camp would be our new Young Emis- Israeli High Court President Esther HayutCredit: Emil Salman Laurelwood on August 27. l-r: JFEC Ass’t Director Marcia Reinhard, sary in the coming year. Then she Emissary May Abudraham, JFEC Executive Director Jerry Fischer, continued, “But I’m not supposed By Josh Breiner, Judy Maltz, and Emissary Bar Halgoa. to tell you yet so don’t say any- Aaron Rabinowitz, Jonathan Lis, Haaretz By Marcia Reinhard, thing. I just couldn’t wait to tell Israel’s High Court ruled Monday, March 1, that the state must rec- JFEC Ass’t Director you!” ognize Reform and Conservative conversions to Judaism performed in It was in April 2011, when the Afula Youth Orchestra came here May and I met two years ear- Israel for the purpose of obtaining Israeli citizenship. lier when she was here with the The verdict related to two petitions submitted in 2005 and 2006, was talking with the conductor, Gal Alterovich, about how hard it is to Afula Youth Orchestra and Ze’irey by 12 people who had undergone non-Orthodox conversions in Israel, for the second time that I first learned of the app called “WhatsApp.” I Afula Singers. She was hosted by but whose requests for citizenship had been rejected by the Interior Lynn Grand who adored her. Lynn Ministry. Eight of nine justices ruled in favor of the petitioners. butkeep it’s in so touch. expensive He said, to do“Just that, call so me that on didn’t WhatsApp.” make sense. At first, It took I thought about Under the Law of Return, any individual converted abroad is al- he was saying I should just call him on the phone and say, “Whats Up” HOME CONT. ON PG 10 lowed to immigrate to Israel and obtain citizenship automatically. The law does not differentiate between those converted by Orthodox rab- Passover Bags Available What’s good bis, on the one hand, and those converted by Conservative and Reform Contact the Jewish Federation at rabbis, on the other – that is, so long as the conversion was performed about today? in a “recognized Jewish community.” 860-442-8062 or [email protected] from The verdict handed down by the High Court is not relevant to such By Carin Savel, JFEC 9 AM-3 PM Monday-Friday through Wed., March 17 individuals. In fact, it affects only a very small number of people who Executive Director Last week we celebrated the fall into the following category: They have been converted by Reform to reserve your bag holiday of Purim. It is a joyous, or Conservative rabbis in Israel, but they are not citizens of Israel. and schedule your On average, the Reform and Conservative movements in Israel con- PORCH PICK-UP. there is great festivity associated vert about 300 people. The vast majority of these converts – about 90 withand often Purim, raucous there holiday.is also a While seri- percent – are eligible for citizenship under the Law of Return. Under If you have not been ous side to the holiday too. the Law of Return, it is enough for an individual to have one Jewish able to get out to shop There are four mitzvot of the grandparent to qualify for Israeli citizenship. So most of these con- for Passover or funds holiday that we are supposed verts already have citizenship. are tight, the JFEC has a to observe. They are reading Today’s verdict refers to the 10 percent among these converts who limited number of the megillah, eating and drink- are not citizens. These are temporary residents (the Reform and Con- Passover bags ready for ing a special meal, giving gifts to servative movements in Israel, as a matter of principle, do not convert pick up at the friends and neighbors (mishloach tourists), in most cases the spouses of Israelis. Not only are these par- Federation office. manot) and giving support to ticular converts not eligible for citizenship, but neither are they eli- those in need. immigrants. gible for any of the financial benefits and incentives granted to all new The bags consist of: those in need, I am overwhelmed • 1 box of Matzah withWhen a sense I think of aboutgratitude supporting for all A sixteen-year battle • 1 box Matzah Ball & Soup Mix that we have and all that we have The attempt to correct the distortion began in 2005 when the Israel • 1 jar Gefilte Fish been able to do. There is so much Religious Action Center – the advocacy arm of the Reform movement • 1 container of Macaroons generosity in our community and in the country – petitioned the High Court in the name of 11 tempo- • 1 bottle of Grape Juice I am eternally grateful to every- rary residents who had been converted by Reform and Conservative • 1 Passover Haggadah one who supports us, in every rabbis, but whose request for citizenship under the Law of Return had way, every day. been denied by the Interior Ministry. The case dragged on for many GOOD CONT. ON PG 4 ISRAEL CONT. ON PG 15 2 THE JEWISH LEADER, MARCH 5, 2021 Once in a Full Moon By Carolinda Goodman, Illustrated by Mariia Luzina 38 pages, ages 3-7, Published by Little Cottage Press, Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle Jewish Leader contributor Carol Goodman Kaufman has just pub- “I think that this book will help encourage children to look Carolinda Goodman, Once in a Full Moon tells the stories behind the up at the night sky and really see nameslished aof new the bookyear’s for full young moons. children. Richly coloredWriting illustrationsunder the pen by nameartist the moon. Children will enjoy the Mariia Luzina accompany the lively rhyming narrative. book because it teaches about - the different phases of the moon ing outside to nature for adventure,” Carol says, “and they are espe- in an easy to understand, month- “People confined to home during the pandemic have taken to look by-month way. 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WONDERFUL!” SERVICES TECHNOLOGY. • Daily Minyan • Shabbat Services TRADITION. • Candle Lighting for Eastern CT area Holidays Friday, Mar 5 • 5:26 pm TORAH. COMMUNITY PROGRAMS Congregation Beth El is • Educational Presentations Friday, Mar 12 • 5:34 pm • JETI (Jewish, Education, Theology and Friday, Mar 19 • 6:41 pm welcoming new members. Information) talks by local speakers During this time of Covid Friday, Mar 26 • 6:49 pm • Lunch & Learn with the Rabbi our congregation is more SOCIAL EVENTS active than ever through the • Distanced Holiday Gatherings safety of Zoom and offers a • Musical Events wide variety of options for • Curbside Meal Offerings everyone. • Schmooze Before & After Zoom Events National Award Winner of the Council of Jewish of Jewish Federations as the Outstand- ing Small Cities Jewish newspaper. 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