Orthodox Stance To Be Clarified Vis a Vis Ne'eman Commission Report

With the Ne'eman Committee deadline looming, the Orthodox Union (OU) is sending nearly 300 delegates to Israel in an unprecedented show of support for the State of Israel, the People of Israel, the Torah of Israel as well as the efforts of the Ne'eman committee to propose a solution to the conversion crisis. The week-long mission, in honor of the OU's Centennial and the Jewish State's 50th anniversary, will coincide with the Ne'eman Committee's January 31st deadline. The delegation will meet with members of the Knesset to discuss findings of the report.

The Union supports any compromise that meets three criteria:

• It is according to Halacha (Jewish law)
• The decisor of the halacha is the Chief Rabbinate
• The compromise is supported by the Chief Rabbinate

During the whirlwind visit, delegates from across the United States will visit high-ranking Israeli politicians and key policy makers to voice concern over pluralism, unity and other issues. Some of the high-level officials include: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Ezer Weizman, MK Labor Chairman Ehud Barak, Mayor Ehud Olmert, and other high-level officials from all parties.

Delegates will also be honored by having the Chief Rabbis of Israel, Rabbi Yisroel Meir Lau and Rabbi Bakshi Doron, as well as HaRav Simcha HaCohen Kook, Chief Rabbi of Rechovot join them for Shabbat.

"As the OU celebrates 100 years of building and fortifying Orthodox life, we are reaffirming our charge to strengthen the Orthodox voice here and in Israel. Sending a delegation during this volatile time shows our deep and abiding commitment to representing and elucidating the Orthodox stance," said Mandell I. Ganchrow, M.D., President of the OU. "Hopefully, this trip will not only foster greater understanding of the Orthodox position on isolated issues in Israeli politics, but it will signal a new era in understanding between the religious and secular Jewish communities," Dr. Ganchrow added.

Delegates will also receive a first-hand look at the situations in Hebron and Har Homa. In addition, they will receive a VIP tour of an airforce base and exclusive briefings with high level IDF officials.

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