They didn’t exactly turn handsprings, but their cheering was unmistakable. “This is a historic day for Israelis and Jews around the world,” proclaimed Rabbi Julie Schonfeld, executive vice president of the Conservative Rabbinical Assembly. The head of Israel’s Reform movement, Rabbi Gilad Kariv, declared that the decision is “an important breakthrough in the effort to advance freedom of religion in Israel.” Opposition leader Shelly Yacimovich called it “an important turning point in the relationship between the State and all streams of Judaism around the world.”
Like starving puppy dogs thrown a few scraps from a banquet table at which they are not allowed to sit, they are overcome by gratitude. Even though they all are quick to announce that this is only a “first step,” that the scraps will soon be of higher quality and their volume much greater, their celebration of victory is heartfelt and substantial.
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