Jewish Agency slams Likud MK for comments against Reform Judaism

The Jewish Agency for Israel leaders criticized Likud MK Galit Distel Atbaryan on Tuesday for comments she made while chairing a committee meeting in the Knesset, insinuating that Reform Jews were not “real” Jews.

The leaders, Jewish Agency chairman of the Board of Governors Mark Wilf and chairman Doron Almog, issued their criticism via a letter to Knesset Speaker MK Amir Ohana (Likud), titled “The Jewish Agency supports all denominations within Judaism and strongly condemns any act of hatred or division.”

The incident occurred during a meeting of the Subcommittee for Jewish Thought in the Education System, chaired by Distel Atbaryan. The Democrats MK and Reform rabbi Gilad Kariv argued that girls should be allowed to use tefillin, part of an initiative to allow tefillin stands in secular schools.

In Orthodox Judaism, tefillin are reserved for boys from age 13, but Reform Judaism enables all genders to use tefillin. Distel Atbaryan responded by equating this to dogs wearing tefillin. Kariv objected, and Distel Atbaryan responded by ejecting him from the meeting while saying, “Remove the enlightened reformist, the Jews here want to continue.”

They continued, “Since the Babylonian exile, the Jewish people began establishing communities in the Diaspora, and since the destruction of the Second Temple, they have dispersed around the world. They upheld different customs yet maintained unity and solidarity, centered around the idea of Arvut Hadadit (mutual responsibility) through all the upheavals of time.

“Two thousand years of exile shaped diverse communities and cultures rooted in the Jewish tradition. Within the Jewish people, many voices and differing perspectives emerged. Whoever denies it ignores the history of the Jewish people and rejects a heritage spanning thousands of years. Erasing our culture is distortion of truth and amounts to a denial of Judaism itself. Our people are rich in worldviews and movements, all part of a vibrant mosaic that reflects the depth of the Jewish culture.

“We were shocked to hear, during these very days, vile remarks directed against the Reform movement and its representative. We firmly reject any such disgraceful attack on a distinguished branch of Judaism and its representatives. Any expression of division or ignorance of this kind – whether directed at the Reform movement, the Conservative, the Orthodox, the ultra-Orthodox, or any other denomination – weakens our people and our unity, precisely at a time when we most need to stand together, with our hearts united. An inclusive Judaism is stronger, more profound and uplifting. Judaism committed to ‘love your neighbor as yourself’ and ‘all Jews are responsible for one another.’”

The two Jewish Agency leaders concluded: “We call upon the entire Jewish people and especially its public representatives to rise above division and remember that we are brothers and sisters. This is the time to draw our hearts closer, not to push away; to be respectful and not disparaging of one another.”

Officials, organizations condemn Distal-Atbaryan’s comments

In addition to the Jewish Agency, a series of other organizations condemned Distel Atbaryan’s comments, including a Reform Movement representative at the World Zionist Organization and the Anti-Defamation League. Kariv, along with fellow The Democrats MKs, also filed an official complaint with the Knesset Ethics Committee.

The Union for Reform Judaism said, "We, the leadership of the Reform Movement - the largest Movement in North American Jewish life - unequivocally condemn the offensive and degrading remarks about Reform Judaism made by MK Galit Distel-Atbaryan in a Knesset committee."

"In response to MK Rabbi Gilad Kariv's statement that his daughters lay tefillin - a sacred and time-honored ritual - MK Distel-Atbaryan compared the act to a bar mitzvah for a dog. These comments are not merely a breach of basic decency and parliamentary norms; they are a direct affront to millions of Jews in Israel and around the world who strive to lead meaningful, moral, and egalitarian Jewish lives."

"These words reflect a profound ignorance of Reform Judaism - and of Judaism as a whole. Such rhetoric amplifies the dangerous lie that Reform Jews are not truly Jewish, a falsehood that has, in the past, led to verbal harassment, social exclusion, and even physical violence against Jews practicing their faith in progressive or non-Orthodox ways."

"We call on MK Distel-Atbaryan to retract her statements and issue a public apology - not only to MK Rabbi Kariv and his daughters, but to all Jews who affirm that there is more than one authentic way to be Jewish."

"We urge all Jewish organizations worldwide to publicly denounce these remarks and reaffirm a fundamental truth: the Jewish people are one people, enriched by many voices, traditions, and pathways to Jewish life."

"We call upon the President of the State of Israel, Mr. Isaac Herzog, in his role as a symbol of national unity and shared responsibility, to clearly and unequivocally state that no one in Israel has a monopoly on Judaism and that hate speech, especially from elected officials, has no place in a democratic and inclusive Jewish state," the union concluded."

Distel Atbaryan’s comments are not uncommon in the Knesset. Members of all the coalition parties, especially the ultra-Orthodox ones but also the Religious Zionist Party, Otzma Yehudit, and Likud, often ridicule Kariv and accuse him directly or indirectly of not being a “real” Jew.