"I never imagined that I would hear from Israeli government ministers that bringing Judaism to Jews is a crime," Minister for Diaspora Affairs Natan Sharansky told Israel National Radio today.
Sharansky was responding to Shinui party chairman Tommy Lapid’s attack on his “Judaism for All” program which includes prayers in community centers throughout Israel on Yom Kippur this Saturday.
He said that in the framework of the program, more than 20,000 Israelis will gather in 195 locations on Yom Kippur to learn more about the holy day. The program reaches out to secular Israelis, many of whom feel uncomfortable in a synagogue.
Former Prisoner of Zion Sharansky was shocked by Lapid, leader of his secular anti-religious party, who protested use of government funds for the educational initiative.
“When I was in prison [in Russia], even knowing when it was Passover was important because it gives you a feeling of connection and being part of this great tradition,” Sharansky stated today on Israel National Radio’s Stutz and Fleischer program. “Many Jews feel estranged in a synagogue. Many were raised in an atmosphere that has no connection with Judaism. The idea is that people who want to know something will come to a local cultural center,” he explained.
The program comes in a response to a popular demand from native Israelis as well as Russian immigrants, whom Sharansky called “disengaged” from Judaism. Rather than conduct the lengthy Yom Kippur service, religious and lay leaders will explain the prayers and lead discussion groups.
“They will have meetings, with short prayer, and a lot of discussion about the meaning of prayers. Every year the number of people participating increases,” he said. Sharansky described the “Judaism for All” program as a cooperative effort that helps “build bridges between different people.”
Minister Tommy Lapid attacked the program after Prime Minister Sharon thanked Sharansky "in the name of the entire government." Lapid responded, "certainly not in the name of the entire government."
Sharansky commented: “Lapid said it is missionary [activity]. We are a democratic Jewish state. Exactly as Shinui is correctly fighting against those who are trying to undermine the democratic character of the state, they have to do some soul-searching if they are becoming the party which is trying to damage the Jewish character of the state.”
Hear the full interview with Minister Sharansky [fast forward to 29 minutes into the program].
Sharansky was responding to Shinui party chairman Tommy Lapid’s attack on his “Judaism for All” program which includes prayers in community centers throughout Israel on Yom Kippur this Saturday.
He said that in the framework of the program, more than 20,000 Israelis will gather in 195 locations on Yom Kippur to learn more about the holy day. The program reaches out to secular Israelis, many of whom feel uncomfortable in a synagogue.
Former Prisoner of Zion Sharansky was shocked by Lapid, leader of his secular anti-religious party, who protested use of government funds for the educational initiative.
“When I was in prison [in Russia], even knowing when it was Passover was important because it gives you a feeling of connection and being part of this great tradition,” Sharansky stated today on Israel National Radio’s Stutz and Fleischer program. “Many Jews feel estranged in a synagogue. Many were raised in an atmosphere that has no connection with Judaism. The idea is that people who want to know something will come to a local cultural center,” he explained.
The program comes in a response to a popular demand from native Israelis as well as Russian immigrants, whom Sharansky called “disengaged” from Judaism. Rather than conduct the lengthy Yom Kippur service, religious and lay leaders will explain the prayers and lead discussion groups.
“They will have meetings, with short prayer, and a lot of discussion about the meaning of prayers. Every year the number of people participating increases,” he said. Sharansky described the “Judaism for All” program as a cooperative effort that helps “build bridges between different people.”
Minister Tommy Lapid attacked the program after Prime Minister Sharon thanked Sharansky "in the name of the entire government." Lapid responded, "certainly not in the name of the entire government."
Sharansky commented: “Lapid said it is missionary [activity]. We are a democratic Jewish state. Exactly as Shinui is correctly fighting against those who are trying to undermine the democratic character of the state, they have to do some soul-searching if they are becoming the party which is trying to damage the Jewish character of the state.”
Hear the full interview with Minister Sharansky [fast forward to 29 minutes into the program].