ITIM (Hebrew: עתים) is an Israeli not-for-profit organization founded in 2002 by Open Orthodox Rabbi Seth Farber to challenge the authority of the Israeli Rabbinate in matters of Jewish identity and Jewish life.[1] ITIM addresses government policies that govern personal status in legal matters such as registering marriages and the right to enter Israel under the Law of Return that are determined in part by an individual's legal status as Christian, Muslim or Jewish.[2][3]
| Founded | 2002 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Seth Farber |
| Focus | Judaism, Israel |
| Location | |
| Website | http://www.itim.org.il/en/ |
The Hebrew word ITIM (עתים) means "seasons" or "times" and is also a Hebrew acronym for "support and advocacy."[4]
History
editITIM has been active in advocating the reform of Israeli laws governing conversion to Judaism.[4][5][6] In Israel, the Orthodox Rabbinate controls the recognition of conversions of Judaism; the Rabbinate does not recognize the validity of Conservative or Reform conversions, and in some cases has also refused to accept Orthodox conversions made by rabbis abroad.[5][6]
In 2017 ITIM filed a lawsuit against the Ministry of Religious Services, claiming that the ministry was violating a law allowing women to immerse themselves in a mikveh (Jewish ritual bath) without an attendant present.[7] ITIM has also challenged practices of the Chief Rabbinate in adding individuals to a marriage blacklist, which would "prevent them, their children and their maternal relatives from ever marrying in Israel."[8][9]
References
edit- ^ Gorenberg, Gershom (2 March 2008). "How Do You Prove You're a Jew?". New York Times. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
- ^ Borschel-Dan, Amanda (27 December 2015). "Will Orthodox Israelis' revolt against the chief rabbinate spur a domino effect?". Times of Israel. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
- ^ Tobin, Andrew (16 September 2017). "Chief Rabbinate telling more and more Israelis they aren't Jews". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
- ^ a b Russo, Yochevet Miriam (19 June 2008). "My Working Week - Rabbi Seth Farber". Jerusalem Post. ProQuest 319657247.
- ^ a b Kershner, Isabel (23 June 2016). "Who Is a Jew? Maybe Not Woman Converted by Esteemed New York Rabbi". New York Times. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
- ^ a b Kershner, Isabel (9 December 2016). "Israel Rabbinical Authorities Promise Clarity in Conversions Abroad". New York Times. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
- ^ Sharon, Jeremy (27 September 2017). "NGO sues Jerusalem Rabbinate over mikva immersion without attendant". Jerusalem Post. ProQuest 1943302114.
- ^ Sharon, Jeremy (17 September 2017). "Rabbinical Courts Rapidly Adding Names to Marriage Blacklists". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
- ^ Beaumont, Peter (16 September 2017). "Hardline Israeli rabbis use tough checks on Jewish identity to block marriages". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
External links
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