The Orthodox Union – the largest kashrut and educational organization in the United States – will increase its involvement in civil Israeli matters and take a stance on issues debated by the public, OU Executive Vice President Rabbi Moshe Hauer told Israel Hayom this week.
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Hauer emphasized that the group will work toward rapprochement and moderation quietly. According o Hauer, "the movement is committed to the Torah, the commandments, and sanctifying God." He added that "our way is not through public declarations, but quiet conversations."
Against the backdrop of increased activity among decision-makers, Hauer met recently with President Isaac Herzog as well as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofer Sofer, Religious Affairs Minister Michael Malchieli, Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli, Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, and others.
The message they conveyed was one of closeness and unity. As such, the OU said it believed that the issue of the "grandchild clause" of the Law of Return must be approached with "utmost sensitivity" and take into consideration the message that is being communicated to "Jews who actually are part of the people of Israel" – when the reference is to American Jews who have non-Jewish grandchildren.
The organization also said it believed that the shared religious position shared by many of the government ministers will make them better heard than other denominations.
With regard to the highly-contested judicial reform, Hauer added the OU believed "there should be a dialogue within Israel" on the matter.
The announcement marks a significant development both in the balance between the Jewish groups in the US and the ties between Israel and American Jewry. Until now, mostly non-Orthodox organizations were most involved with ties with Israel, while religious ones hardly intervened.
The last few years have seen rapprochement between American ultra-Orthodox Jews and Israel. In addition, the demographic growth, the role it played during the Trump administration, and other processes led to an increase in the involvement of Orthodox groups in politics and ties with Israel.
This also blurs the lines between the national religious denomination, which has always been publicly active, and parts of the ultra-Orthodox stream. The Orthodox Union, which refrains from any political affiliation, unites the two streams in accordance with their commitment to Jewish law and is therefore a force multiplier.
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