Note #8979 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:
 

05567 Oct. 21, 2005

New dividers at shrine in Jerusalem bring wailing from women, non-Orthodox

by Michele Green Ecumenical News International

JERUSALEM - New partitions have been erected to keep males and females apart at Jerusalem's Western ("Wailing") Wall, to the dismay of many women and of non-Orthodox Jews who have advocated more access to the shrine for female worshippers.

Dividers have long been in place to separate men and women in accord with the custom of Orthodox Judaism. However, early this month new partitions labeled "Men" and "Women" were put up in the nearby plaza, where men and women have always intermingled.

The rabbi in charge of the shrine, Shmuel Rabinovitch, said the barriers were erected for the Jewish High Holidays and will be taken down at the end of the weeklong Succoth harvest feast on Oct. 24.

Non-Orthodox Jewish groups have expressed concern about the change and said they will appeal to the Israeli Supreme Court unless the new partitions are removed.

"Sadly, the Western Wall is becoming a place of division instead of unity," said Anat Hoffman, a representative of the Reform Movement, which has fought for better access for female worshippers.

Women are now able to pray beside a small section of the wall.

The wall is revered by Jews as a part of the Biblical Second Temple.

Last year, partitions separating male and female worshippers were extended into an adjacent section, and their height was raised. Hoffman said she fears the latest "temporary" change will become permanent.