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Israeli Conversion Authority and Religious Courts Are In Disarray

By Howard M. Friedman

In Israel last week, the Prime Minister's Office announced that at the end of June it would not renew the employment contract of 75-year old Rabbi Haim Druckman, head of the State Conversion Authority. Last Thursday's Jerusalem Post reported that the government said the reason for its action was Druckman's advanced age. Normal civil service retirement age is 67. However Druckman says the move is in response to pressure from the ultra-Orthodox haredi rabbis who control the High Rabbinical Court. Earlier this month, that Court issued a controversial ruling tht called into question thousands of conversions previously performed by Druckman, or overseen by him. (See prior posting.) [Thanks to Religion and State In Israel for the lead.]

Meanwhile, Haaretz reported last week that a comptroller's review of the speed and quality of judicial proceedings in Rabbinic courts in Tel Aviv and Petah Tikva during 2007 found significant problems. Hearings were postponed in 26% of cases because of the absence of judges. There were delays in granting a "get" (divorce decree) in 17% of cases. The Peta Tikva court was without an administrator because the judges objected to the fact that a woman had been appointed to the position.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on May 27, 2008 (boomark / email).