The U.S. stands exposed as a dandelion in the wind. Israel can no longer afford to labor under the illusion that Washington will come to its assistance in a dangerous situation.
Toby Willig
Jerusalem
‘Tepid’ Response To Women’s Ordination
Re the front-page essay by Rabbi Steven Pruzansky (“The Incredibly Shrinking Rabbinate,” Aug. 9) and the responses you’ve run from readers both for and against:
Even though I am an Orthodox Jew from the old school, I personally have little problem with the Conservative and Reform ordination of women as rabbis. I think it is wrong, but until Mashiach comes, people can essentially do whatever they want.
What does anger me, though, is the re-labeling of what is a non-Orthodox practice as Orthodox. And I cannot believe the absolutely tepid response from mainstream Orthodox organizations. Other than a pro forma objection from the Rabbinical Council of America, almost nothing has been said or done to deal with this problem.
Why won’t the RCA back up its words by expelling from its ranks those rabbis who facilitate and condone women’s ordination? How about a warning that any rabbi who attends orientation ceremonies for women rabbis will be cast out of the organization?
Given the RCA’s clear position against the ordination of women, it seems hypocritical in the extreme that there are few if any consequences visited upon self-declared Orthodox clergy who are doing whatever they can to rewrite our history and traditions.
Aaron Nuemann
(Via E-Mail)