See below for a statement issued by the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism regarding the USCJ position on pluralism and our distress at the actions the Israeli government has chosen to take toward Women of the Wall. Everyone is encouraged to write to Ambassador Michael Oren at info@washington.mfa.gov.il deploring the government’s action and asking him to intervene.

NEW YORK, NY - The recent detention and fingerprinting of Anat Hoffman, director of the Israel Religious Action Center, civil and consumer rights advocate, founding member of Women of the Wall and past member of the Jerusalem City Council, for her role in advocating a woman’s right to pray at the Kotel opens a new and ominous chapter in intra-Jewish relations in Israel.

United Synagogue affirms that Hoffman’s detention, following the recent arrest at the Kotel of Nofrat Frankel for wearing a tallit during worship services on Rosh Hodesh, drives a wedge between our communities at a time when working for unity within Israel and enhancing the connection between diaspora Jewish communities and Israel should be a primary concern. We urge the municipality of Jerusalem, the State of Israel and its ambassador to the United States to realize the gravity of this issue and take immediate steps to end the harassment of women seeking to pray with dignity at the Western Wall, Judaism’s most holy place.

United Synagogue urges members of its congregations and all members of the Conservative movement to write a letter to Ambassador Michael Oren expressing the above sentiments. Further, as Conservative Jews, we hope for a pluralistic Israeli society that welcomes all Jews who share a commitment to Jewish continuity, peoplehood and Zionism. When the government limits access at the Kotel, changes the status quo of “who is a Jew,” and refuses to grant Masorti rabbis equal rights in Israel, many in the Diaspora community, whose support of Israel is crucial if Israel is to continue to flourish, instead feel alienated.

By standing with the Women of the Wall, we affirm our unity as a single world-wide Jewish community. We affirm our connection with our sisters and brothers in the Land of Israel and we affirm the abiding holiness of the city of Jerusalem in our lives.