JERUSALEM – Israel´s Attorney General has announced that non-Orthodox
rabbis serving their communities will receive state funding for the
first time.
Up to now the state has recognized and supported only Orthodox
rabbis, leaving the more liberal clergy and their congregations
without state funding.
The decision was in response to a 2005 appeal by the Reform movement
for one of its rabbis, Miri Gold. She welcomed the decision in an
interview on Army Radio Tuesday. "This is a historic move of justice
in our country." she said.
The Justice Ministry said religious councils could employ liberal
rabbis, but they would be called "community leaders," not rabbis.
