New initiative: Half of Kotel plaza may become Reform

Is a revolutionary change in the prayer practices at the Western Wall planned? Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky is preparing an outline according to which the square will be divided into three parts: Men's, women's and one part for reformers who want to pray mixed.

Sharansky was appointed by Prime Minister Netanyahu to find a solution to the conflict raging near the Western Wall, especially against the group 'Women of the Wall' who come to pray with prayer shawls and the like.

During a visit to the United States Sharansky was interviewed by the media and addressed the issue. The Jewish newspaper, Jewish Week, published an interview in which Sharansky said that "after discussions and consultations in the USA with the leaders of all the streams, they gave him strength and encouragement to move forward with the plan."

The renovation is meant to expand the square to twice the current size. One half will be Orthodox and will be divided to an area for men and women. The second part will be for Reform. The renovation cost is high, and is estimated at $ 25.

Haredi leaders are obviously going to battle against the initiative, headed by Rav of the Wall, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch. Haredi MK of Yesh Atid actually stated that he supports the idea, but argued that "the extreme ultra-Orthodox community," as he put it, would oppose the move.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!