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Panim in Action
Position Paper prepared by Panim for Jewish Renaissance in Israel for the Knesset Forum for Promoting Secular Judaism – the Yossi Beilin Initiative
The creation of a forum of MK’s to sponsor and advance legislation, and position the issue of religion and state so that it serves the values and world outlook of the secular Jewish public in Israel is extremely significant and I would like to congratulate Yossi Beilin on this initiative.
From the standpoint of Panim, the appropriate and natural partner in this endeavor is the pluralistic Jewish camp, whose members may be defined, in general, by their commitment to two fundamental and inseparable principles: A. The centrality of Jewish identity in their lives and their commitment to it. B. The centrality of and commitment to a humanistic, pluralistic, and democratic world outlook.
This definition encompasses Jewish Israelis who define themselves as secular, traditional, Reform, Conservative, and pluralistic Orthodox. All of them share a similar image of the Jewish democratic nature of the State of Israel, an image that expresses a deeply-rooted, shared ideology. Acting solely under the divisive, “secular” banner would cause alienation and estrangement of important and committed segments of the population, even among the secular public, who would be naturally disposed to making an important contribution toward the achievement of the initiative’s goals.
Nonetheless, it is especially important to clarify definitions and strengthen the foundation of the (secular) Jewish Zionist stream, which views Judaism as culture and nationality, not religion. In view of the crisis brought about by the loss of direction in Israeli society, the reinforcement of the secular stream as a legitimate and positive way of life for large segments of the Jewish population is vital for the country’s existence. Given the path along which the Zionist movement and the State of Israel developed, the camp in which Judaism is experienced in terms of culture and nationality was and continues to be the natural “home” for most of Israel’s Jewish citizens.
Objectives of the forum: 1. Establishing a coalition that includes secular, traditional, Reform, Conservative, and pluralistic Orthodox Jews who share a similar vision with regard to the Jewish democratic image of the State of Israel, which expresses a deep-seated, shared ideology.
2. Regarding Jewish Zionist education in the formal and informal educational system: demanding massive government funding to advance this essential activity within the secular sphere, not just the Orthodox sector.
3. Regarding the public character of the Sabbath: projecting a positive attitude on the part of the secular public, which identifies the Sabbath as a cultural, national, and spiritual resource, and shaping its character not just from a defensive position in opposition to religious demands.
4. Promoting legislation that organizes the subject of marriage and breaks the Orthodox rabbinic establishment’s monopoly in this area.
5. Promoting legislation that organizes the subject of conversion and breaks the Orthodox rabbinic establishment’s monopoly over this area.
6. Establishing a task force for each of these subjects (nos. 2-5) lead by MK’s, in conjunction with and closely assisted by organizations active in the area. Use should be made of the available knowledge base and expertise of the groups already active in civil society.
Written and Presented by: Panim for Jewish Renaissance
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