Tag Archive for Natan Sharansky

| February 1, 2016
No comments

Historic victory for non-Orthodox praying Jews at Western Wall

 

Natan Sharansky, the Jewish Agency chairman, hailed the cabinet’s decision to approve a non-Orthodox prayer section at the Kotel (Western Wall) as an “unprecedented” decision for Israel and world Jewry.

By JEREMY SHARON,  STEVE LINDE

 

The Women of the Wall organization, the Reform and Conservative movements in Israel and North America as well as political leaders in Israel and the Diaspora hailed the agreement approved on Sunday to formally designate a prayer area for non-Orthodox prayer at the Western Wall.

IDF’s Nachal brigade ‘swearing-in’ ceremony at the Kotel – Photo: IsraelandStuff/PP

The Orthodox political establishment, in particular the haredi leadership, was, however, greatly angered by the recognition of the rights of non-Orthodox Jews inherent in the change, although they realized they were essentially powerless to avert it. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , , ,
| December 25, 2015
No comments

Israel sees record immigration of Jews from France in 2015

After multiple terror attacks strike Paris in 2015, French immigration rose 10%, while overall Jewish immigration was at 15yr-high.

By Reuters

 

A record number of French Jews moved to Israel this year, an immigration official said on Thursday, citing anti-Semitic violence and economic insecurity in the European country as causes.

A Jewish immigrant from France arrives for a candle-lighting ceremony to mark Hanukkah, upon landing at Ben Gurion International Airport (Photo: Reuters)

A Jewish immigrant from France arrives for a candle-lighting ceremony to mark Hanukkah, upon landing at Ben Gurion International Airport – Photo: Reuters

France has the largest Jewish population in Europe, having grown by nearly half since World War Two to some 550,000. The community has been jarred by an increase in security threats and Islamist terror attacks such as January’s gun rampage at a Paris kosher market that killed four Jews. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| October 24, 2014
No comments

Aliya makes historic shift as it went from ‘rescue’ to smart ‘choice’

 

During the last Jewish year of 5774, aliya from around the world increased by more than 30%, reaching around 25,000 immigrants.

By Natan Sharansky

 

The Zionist project of ingathering the exiles is undergoing a historic shift: We are moving from an aliya of rescue to an aliya of free choice.

french aliya

FRENCH JEWISH children at the historic Synagogue des Tournelles in Parisin July ahead of their aliya with their families. – Photo:EREZ LICHTFELD

During the most recent Jewish year, 5774, aliya from around the world increased by more than 30 percent, reaching some 25,000 immigrants.

Behind this huge increase are two highly symbolic developments. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News, Jewish News | Tags: ,
| July 17, 2014
One comment

430 French Jews just moved to Israel despite rocket fire from Gaza

 

Natan Sharansky, head of the Jewish Agency: ‘People question whether there is a future for Jews in France, but no one doubts that there is a future for French Jews in Israel.’

A group of 430 French Jews plan to move to Ashkelon & Ashdod.

By Yori Yalon

 

Ongoing rocket fire on Israel did not deter a group of 430 new immigrants from France who landed in Israel Wednesday on two special flights organized by the Jewish Agency and the Immigrant Absorption Ministry. Some even intend to move to the south of the country.

Immigrant Absorption Minister Sofa Landver and Jewish Agency head Natan Sharansky welcome the new arrivals – Photo: David Salem

Most of the new French immigrants are families, including 18 babies.

Continue Reading »
Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| June 13, 2013
No comments

Arabs say ‘No’ to Israel’s Western Wall plans for egalitarian prayer-site

PA religious affairs minister says replacing Mugrabi Bridge to Temple Mount for egalitarian section may “push all of us to new conflicts and problems,” stressing the Western Wall is an Islamic holy site.

By GIL HOFFMAN
 

 

The Palestinian Authority will not permit Israel to change the entrance to the Temple Mount in order to facilitate the building of an egalitarian prayer area near the Western Wall, PA Religious Affairs Minister Mahmoud El Habash told The Jerusalem Post in Ramallah Thursday morning.

PA Religious Affairs Minister Mahmoud El Habash.- Photo Gil Hoffman

PA Religious Affairs Minister Mahmoud El Habash.- Photo Gil Hoffman

Sharansky’s plan will allow for the construction of an additional section of the Western Wall Plaza at the southern end of the Kotel, equal in size and height as the northern prayer area, for egalitarian prayer and accessible as part of one unified Western Wall complex with a single entrance.

Continue Reading »
Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , ,
| June 4, 2013
No comments

Federations of North America support Sharansky’s Western Wall compromise

The plan calls for the Robinson’s Arch archeological site at the southern part of the Western Wall to be used as a permanent space for egalitarian prayer. Under the proposal, the Western Wall plaza would be expanded to encompass the additional prayer space.

 

By JTA

 

The Jewish Federations of North America’s board of trustees passed a resolution supporting Natan Sharansky’s proposed compromise on egalitarian prayer at the Western Wall.

Robinson’s Arch archeological site at the southern part of the Western Wall to be used as a permanent space for egalitarian prayer.

Robinson’s Arch archeological site at the southern part of the Western Wall to be used as a permanent space for egalitarian prayer.

Monday’s resolution, according to a JFNA statement, says the compromise “develops a pathway whereby the Kotel will once again become a spiritual center for all Jews and a symbol of unity for the entire Jewish community world-wide.”

Continue Reading »
Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| April 30, 2013
No comments

Sharansky’s Western Wall prayer plan loses support from both sides

Sharansky’s Kotel plan loses support from both Religious and Women’s groups. Neither side willing to compromise.

By Ben Sales

TEL AVIV (JTA) — Natan Sharansky’s proposal to reduce tensions at the Western Wall has lost support from both Orthodox and non-Orthodox leaders.

When Sharansky, chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel, made the plan public a few weeks ago, it received at least tacit approval from a range of activists, including the rabbi of the Western Wall, Shmuel Rabinowitz.

The plan would expand the egalitarian section of the Western Wall Plaza – called Robinson’s Arch – and create a unified entrance to the Wall’s traditional and egalitarian sections. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| April 23, 2013
No comments

Sharansky gets ‘OK’ from PM to pursue Western Wall prayer plan

Sharansky’s plan calls for the Robinson’s Arch archeological site at the southern part of the Western Wall to be used as the designated space for egalitarian prayer.

By JTA Staff

 

JERUSALEM — Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky was given a green light by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to pursue his plan for a permanent egalitarian prayer space at the Western Wall.

Jerusalem (2)

Western Wall and Temple Mount seen in Jerusalem

 

Netanyahu told Sharansky to continue reviewing the situation with Zvi Hauser, the director general of the Prime Minister’s Office, and Yaakov Amidror, Netanyahu’s national security adviser, Jewish Agency spokesman Benjamin Rutland told JTA on Monday. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| April 16, 2013
2 comments

VIDEO: What Sharansky’s Western Wall compromise may look like

Jewish Agency chairman Natan Sharansky, said the implementation of his plan to expand the non-Orthodox prayer site at the Western Wall could begin next month.

By Uri Fintzy

 

An illustration of Natan Sharansky's proposal, which will expand the Western Wall and create a permanent egalitarian space in the Robinson's Arch area. (Creative Commons)

An illustration of Natan Sharansky’s proposal, which will expand the Western Wall and create a permanent egalitarian space in the Robinson’s Arch area. – Creative Commons

JERUSALEM (JTA)

Natan Sharansky has presented what could be a historic proposal to expand space for egalitarian prayer at the Robinson’s Arch section of the Western Wall. JTA’s Ben Sales visits the scene to provide viewers with a better understanding of the proposal and the challenges it poses.

Continue Reading »
Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| April 11, 2013
No comments

Construction of new Kotel site may begin within a month

After 3 months of consultations with a wide spectrum of Israeli & American Jewish leaders, Sharansky unveiled the proposal Tuesday in New York. Now back in Israel, he will present the plan to PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

By Ben Sales

 

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Natan Sharansky said the implementation of his plan to expand the non-Orthodox prayer site at the Western Wall could begin in as little as one month.

In an interview Thursday with JTA, Sharansky sounded cautiously optimistic about his proposal to create an egalitarian space equal in size to the current men’s and women’s sections combined.

The Jewish Agency for Israel chairman was charged last year with finding a solution to mounting tensions over women’s prayer at the Western Wall. Continue Reading »

Category: Jewish News | Tags: , , , ,