(Note: the Hebrew letter below was just sent from the Masorti Movement in Israel - please see below for a less-than accurate but quick English version, as rendered by Google Translator(
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We sign a hard week relations between religion and politics in Israel. Earlier in the week, surprisingly, unlike our earlier conclusion with the prime minister and his people, a member of the coalition decided to Israel Our Home Party MK David Rotem Chairman Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee to vote the bill he wants to promote the area of conversion. The discussion took place on Monday and was very windy. Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky came to the Committee in particular, spoke of the fierce opposition to the law and the implications if passed. Rotem urged to vote. Members of the Labor and Kadima were opposed, but a majority of five against four passed the Law on the committee. Two members of Israel's Knesset our committee Members together with Orthodox, they passed the law. Now it should pass the first reading in the Knesset.
Rotem's bill is a bad proposal. Transfer of powers under the guise of conversion rabbis cities, she anchors the Orthodox monopoly on conversion in Israel; discriminatory legislation, the first history book of Israel's laws, between Jews and Jews who converted from birth; spends outside the fence the traditional Reform conversions in Israel; sends a strong message that it is difficult to exaggerate value image sense, non-Orthodox Jews in Israel have no place. Cutting off the Jewish state itself, in practice, the Jewish world.
Beginning of the week we work vigorously with our colleagues and the leadership of the Reform movement and the movement abroad, try to run each channel to avoid possible to advance legislation. We had many phone calls, meetings, letters are removed and the Prime Minister to President. Kadima Party (opposition) Labor Party (a coalition) a consensus with us that the law bad for the Jews. Some Likud members are also our struggle (primarily ministers Benny Begin and Yuli Edelstein.)
The key is in the hands of Prime Minister. The bureau said that he opposes the law, but he told Likud members to oppose a vote on the committee (which was finished teaching all saga) and so far not issued any official statement, voice or signature, it is committed not to pass the law .
Now is the time to combat widespread and rapid public. We operate under the working assumption that the law be brought to a vote in the Assembly, despite various assurances messages. It is important to have any effect, especially on the MKs and ministers of the Likud. We ask members to call Llskotim Movement supporters to send letters by e-mail: to explain the law, if accepted, will turn a huge damage to one of the most important strategic assets of Israel? Relationship with the Diaspora.
§ priority phone calls and email. Conversation has "weight" more, but it is better to act in two channels.
§ This time, you should not enter the debate over the moral right, Democrats, of Jews with different views to live here. Not to debate the status of the streams. Concentrated attacks on Israeli security strategy if Nsphil that the Jews in the Diaspora.
§ If you can not talk to MK himself, talk to their aides. It is also important. Messages pass. A flood of messages in a particular subject definitely affects.
§ Do not copy automatically the recommended email. Chennault little. Make sure that she personally addressed to MK. If you have any prior acquaintance with him, even public, mentioned it.
Good luck to all of us in this important struggle,
Emily Levy Shochat, chairman of the Conservative Movement Attorney Yizhar Hess, chief executive of the Conservative Movement
>> List of Knesset members and ministers of the Likud Click here for details
>> Proposal to send email Click here to Knesset Members
>> Read the letter sent to Prime Minister click here
>> Read the letter sent to President click here
>> View media struggle for media updates, click here.