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.
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.
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 »