Masorati Israel

Conservatives: Abolish Orthodox monopoly
**Some 1,000 participants arrived at the opening of the Conservative
Movement's convention. 'This convention carries a message about freedom
of
religion in Israel and the abolition of the Orthodox monopoly,' says
movement's chairman
* Neta Sela
http://www.ynetnews.com/Ext/Comp/ArticleLayout/CdaArticlePrintPreview/1,2506,L-3487570,00.html

The Masorti (Conservative) Movement's convention, marking the
organization's
30th anniversary in Israel, opened Thursday.

According to the organizers, over 1,000 people took part in what they
said
was the largest ever convention of a non-Orthodox movement in Israel.

Chair of the Masorti (Conservative) Movement, Moshe Cohen, said that
"the
large number of participants proves the importance of the movement to
Israeli society. There is no doubt the movement can advance religious
pluralism in the country.

"This convention carries a message about freedom of religion in Israel
and
the abolition of the Orthodox monopoly."

President Shimon Peres sent a letter to the movement's members reading:
"The
Masorti Movement wisely nurtures the ideals of renewal and creativity
alongside traditional Jewish value. The Masorti Movement is the Israeli
arm
of Conservative communities worldwide. It is characterized by its
devotion
to Zionism, modernism and progress and the preservation of Jewish
heritage.

The Masorti Movement serves as a bridge between the mosaic of
communities
and beliefs the Jewish world consists of," he wrote.

A recent survey conducted by the Dahaf Institute for the Masorti
Movement
will be presented at the convention. The survey, first published on
Ynet,
reveals that 87% of the public believes that nominal gender equality is
entirely justified, and 54% claim that Jewish tradition discriminates
against women.

There are 40,000 members and 50 Masorti congregations in Israel.

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