All posts by jppi

Rabbi Lau: We need to try to find common ground

Former Chief Rabbi of Israel, Israel Meir Lau: “Jewish identity was crucial to Ben-Gurion”

At a conference held by the Jewish People Policy Institute to launch the book 75 Faces of the Jewish State, which includes 75 thoughtful essays on the question of what constitutes a Jewish state. The Hebrew edition of the book was published (Yedioth Books) on the eve of Israel’s 75th Independence Day; the English edition will follow in short order.

Former Chief Rabbi of Israel, Israel Meir Lau said in the discussion at the conference that Jewish identity was crucial to Ben-Gurion, and he supported bringing the United Religious Front into the government. Rabbi Lau called for dialogue and suggested that the justice minister or the prime minister stop the legislation in its current form to let the people breathe — to act to calm things down and try to find common ground.

Prof. Aharon Barak: Jewish and democratic this is not an oxymoron

Former Chief Justice of Israel’s Supreme Court: “Not recruiting yeshiva students undermines equality”

At a conference held by the Jewish People Policy Institute to launch the book 75 Faces of the Jewish State, which includes 75 thoughtful essays on the question of what constitutes a Jewish state. The Hebrew edition of the book was published (Yedioth Books) on the eve of Israel’s 75th Independence Day; the English edition will follow in short order.

Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Aharon Barak said in the discussion at the conference that Jewish law is our law, but its ability to fill the entire legal void does not really exist. Regarding the issue of IDF conscription, Prof. Barak said that not drafting Haredim into the IDF undermines equality.

He supported the Tal Law, which he said comports with the values of the State of Israel. With regard to recent accusations against him, Barak said, “My grandfather was a rabbi. His picture is in my office, and I glance at it hundreds of times each day. I’m not against the religious, and I am in favor of compromise. I have two bookcases that are connected by a single cord, one is Jewish and the democratic — this is not an oxymoron.”

President Isaac Herzog: The current crisis is also an opportunity to settle disputes

At a conference held by the Jewish People Policy Institute said the president: “I hope and believe that we will soon succeed in reaching a defining constitutional moment”.

At a conference held by the Jewish People Policy Institute to launch the book 75 Faces of the Jewish State, which includes 75 thoughtful essays on the question of what constitutes a Jewish state.

The Hebrew edition of the book was published (Yedioth Books) on the eve of Israel’s 75th Independence Day; the English edition will follow in short order. President Herzog, who wrote the book’s introduction, said in the speech he delivered at the conference, “These days there is deep and incisive discourse about our shared values.

These are complex times for Israeli society, but at the same time, in the negotiating rooms taking place at the President’s House (Beit HaNassi), there is a sense of willingness on the part of the parties to reach understandings. I hope that it is precisely from this crisis that we will emerge stronger. There is a possibility of reaching a defining constitutional moment.”

According to President Herzog, the Zionist movement has always had disagreements but knew how to manage them because each group was able to express opinions and give space to minorities. President Herzog thanked Prof. Yedidia Stern, President of JPPI, who initiated and edited the book in collaboration with former Supreme Court President Aharon Barak, Prof. Jehuda Reinharz, and Dr. Haim Zicherman. “This book is a working document that will serve us for many years to come,” said President Herzog.