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Hiddush Challenges “Coalition Funds”

Hiddush Challenges “Coalition Funds”

Hiddush submitted a petition against the attempt to transfer millions to the budget of the ultra-Orthodox school networks; and a petition that stopped the allocation of "Deri's food tickets"


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71% Israeli Jews attach importance to marriage & divorce freedom

71% Israeli Jews attach importance to marriage & divorce freedom

60% of the Jewish Israeli public supports the involvement of American Jewish organizations in advancing marriage freedom in Israel. There is no doubt that for Israelis – breaking the yoke of the fundamentalist Orthodox Rabbinate in marriage and divorce is a top priority among the religion/state battles. Israelis welcome American Jewish partnership in advancing this cause, both for the sake of Israel and for the sake of world Jewry!

71% of Israeli Jews: Rabbinate's monopoly distances Jews from Judaism

71% of Israeli Jews: Rabbinate's monopoly distances Jews from Judaism

Not only is the denial of the freedom to marry antithetical to core democratic principles, but it also undermines Jewish interests. 71% of the Israeli Jewish public maintain that the Chief Rabbinate's and the rabbinical courts' monopoly over marriage and divorce distances Jews from Judaism.

Hiddush presents: Marriage freedom by the numbers

Hiddush presents: Marriage freedom by the numbers

Hiddush released its new presentation titled, 'Marriage Freedom in Israel: by the Numbers,' which provides answers to the questions most often asked about the condition of marriage freedom in Israel, and related issues. Shahar Ilan, the Hiddush VP of Research and Information, presented the data at the meeting of the Knesset's Peoplehood, Religion, & State Caucus.

Hiddush demands appointment of women to religious councils

Hiddush demands appointment of women to religious councils

The ultra-Orthodox Shas party's Minister of Religious Services David Azoulay has appointed six “appointees” for four religious councils since assuming office after the May 2015 Knesset elections. Minister Azoulay, like his predecessors, has not appointed a single woman, despite Israeli law and the commitment the Ministry made to the AG office in the past to exercise affirmative action in this arena.

Hiddush makes progress on military burial rights for IDF soldiers

Hiddush makes progress on military burial rights for IDF soldiers

Once again, Hiddush is impacting on Israeli governmental policies, advancing religious freedom and equality. This time – it’s about a very painful and sensitive issue: burial of fallen soldiers. Last week we were informed of the acceptance of our demands (although we will have to follow the implementation, as we know from past experience…).

Israel's Rabbinate coerces and discriminates in hotels

Israel's Rabbinate coerces and discriminates in hotels

Despite officially and publicly updating its kashrut regulations for hotels this year, in order to be in compliance with the law, Israel's Rabbinate continues to coerce hotels to enforce Shabbat restrictions and its illegal ban against all Christian holiday symbols.

Katniss Everdeen's image censored in Jerusalem

Katniss Everdeen's image censored in Jerusalem

Katniss Everdeen was censored out of Jerusalem and B’nei Brak 'Hunger Games' posters; only the fiery bird image was included. Hiddush immediately alerted the media of this censorship, prompting an investigation of the matter.

Hiddush reveals: proposed bill to increase yeshiva stipends

Hiddush reveals: proposed bill to increase yeshiva stipends

Hiddush causes proposed bill to increase stipends for non-working yeshiva students to be widely covered by the media. Ultra-Orthodox parties demand to include many more yeshiva students, and provide them with much more funding.

Hiddush analysis of Israel’s state budget

Hiddush analysis of Israel’s state budget

The state budget for yeshivas is expected to grow by 419 million shekels, an increase of three-quarters. This is blow to the heart of Israel’s future, and a slap in the voters' faces.

Should religious freedom stop at the gates of military cemeteries?

Should religious freedom stop at the gates of military cemeteries?

Turning to the Minister of Defense, Chief of Staff, Head of IDF Personnel, Judge Advocate, and Minister of Religious Services, Hiddush suggested that civil burial plots be designated within military cemeteries, in which full military funerals can be conducted, ungoverned by the Orthodox Rabbinate.

Supreme Court hears Hiddush petition against coercive rabbinical court

Supreme Court hears Hiddush petition against coercive rabbinical court

Justice Mazuz: “The ‘Writs of Refusal’ are intended to deny a person his rights as a man and a citizen by blocking his/her way to State institutions (i.e. - the courts) that can render him remedy in realizing his rights.”

The Coalition Agreements: Religion and State Clauses

The Coalition Agreements: Religion and State Clauses

We are pleased to present to you the analysis report prepared by Hiddush on the religion and state clauses in Israel's 2015 coalition agreements. The document deals with budgets matters; education; freedom of religion and equality of civic burden.

Support for public transporation on Shabbat at highest level ever

Support for public transporation on Shabbat at highest level ever

What gives Israel its Jewish character? Is it liberty, justice and peace, as taught by the Hebrew Prophets, or is it the lack of public transportation on Shabbat, which greatly restricts the weakest sectors of Israeli society?

Revolution in Rabbinate’s Kashrut Regulations, following Hiddush’s Battle

Revolution in Rabbinate’s Kashrut Regulations, following Hiddush’s Battle

The Chief Rabbinate updates its kashrut regulations for hotels, hostels and event halls to be in accordance with Israeli law. Finally, kashrut certification will only be granted upon the basis of whether the food is kosher or not!

Justice Joubran asserts state funded school networks subject to Propaganda Law

Justice Joubran asserts state funded school networks subject to Propaganda Law

Justice Joubran: "Common sense and reason cannot tolerate Shas’s legal interpretation, according to which a teacher could influence a student’s parents." Rabbi Regev: “This is an important precedent that will affect a host of educational networks and future elections campaigns. The mobilization of armies of teachers has been prohibited.”

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