This morning, we joined leaders of the Conservative/Masorti Movement from Israel, North America, and around the world at the Israeli Supreme Court for a long-delayed hearing on the government’s 10-year failure to uphold its commitments to the Egalitarian Kotel (Ezrat Yisrael).
In 2016, the Israeli government approved the Kotel Agreement through which non-Orthodox groups gave up our struggle to receive equal rights in the historic, well-known area of the Western Wall while establishing a permanent, dignified, state-supported egalitarian prayer space along a different portion of the Wall nearby. This was a hard-fought compromise to advance religious pluralism. But nearly a decade after its approval — and swift freeze by the government— the promise of equal recognition at this sacred site remains unfulfilled.
The egalitarian space is difficult to access, in urgent need of repair, and, for seven years, worshippers have been unable to even touch the Wall itself from there. Despite these very real challenges, our Movement has continued to operate this space, which hosted nearly 1,000 services last year.
We are asking the Supreme Court to affirm the shared responsibility of the State of Israel to ensure that all Jews can pray according to their tradition at the Kotel. The original agreement was widely supported by an array of groups as a way to strengthen Jewish unity while honoring the diversity of Jewish practice. It reflected a spirit of compromise and mutual respect — a spirit we continue to pursue today alongside the Reform Movement, Women of the Western Wall, and our Movement partners at MERCAZ and Masorti Israel.
Since Israel’s founding, we have stood shoulder to shoulder with the State and its people. Since October 7, we have advocated tirelessly for the hostages and their families, supported Israel’s right to defend itself, and prayed for the safety of all in harm’s way. Our love for Israel is deep and enduring. It is because of that love that we continue to pursue equality, dignity, and freedom of worship for every Jew.
We will press forward with resolve, knowing that religious pluralism strengthens Israel and the Jewish people — and that it should not require a court ruling to affirm equal opportunity and space for all Jews at the Kotel.
We are grateful for the leaders and advocates working toward a future in which the Kotel truly reflects the unity of our people. Thank you for being part of this Movement and this effort.
With hope and determination,
Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal, CEO, Rabbinical Assembly and USCJ
Eliot Meadow, President, USCJ
Rabbi Jay Kornsgold, President, Rabbinical Assembly
Rabbi Mauricio Balter, Executive Director, Masorti Olami and MERCAZ Olami
Yizhar Hess, Vice Chair of the World Zionist Organization and senior representative of MERCAZ
Rabbi Ellen Wolintz Fields, Executive Director, Women’s League for Conservative Judaism
Julia Loeb, President, Women’s League for Conservative Judaism
