Israel Cuts Size of Religious Councils

Israel’s Orthodox-dominated Religious Affairs Ministry has cut the size of the nation’s local religious councils in a move that will keep more liberal Reform and Conservative Jews from joining the bodies.

Spokesman Shimon Malka said Religious Affairs Minister Eli Suissa ordered the cuts in line with an 8-year-old plan to revamp the panels and not solely to keep non-Orthodox Jews from being included--although Malka acknowledged that would be the effect because Reform and Conservative representatives receive fewer votes.

That explanation was rejected by Reform and Conservative leaders.

“Every trick in the book is legitimate in [Suissa’s] eyes to discredit and de-legitimatize Reform and Conservative Judaism,� Israeli Reform leader Rabbi Uri Regev said Tuesday.

Suissa’s action would have the effect of sidestepping a high court ruling that he could not legally block the seating of duly elected non-Orthodox Jews to the religious council of Haifa. The councils’ duties range from certifying restaurants that are in accordance with Jewish dietary laws to passing judgment on who may marry in Jewish religious ceremonies.