Tel Aviv officials rejected a compromise offer proposed by the Supreme Court that would allow the Rosh Yehudi Orthodox Jewish outreach movement to hold a gender-separated Yom Kippur tefillos in an outdoor space. The proposal, discussed during a court hearing, suggested moving the service from Dizengoff Square to Meir Park, but the city’s legal representative firmly opposed the idea. Thankfully, the Supreme Court – not exactly friends of the Orthodox themselves – stepped in to force Tel Aviv to accept it.

Tel Aviv’s municipality has taken a clear stance against gender separation in all outdoor public spaces. According to Ynet, the city’s legal team argued that allowing gender-separated prayer would violate its policy, which only permits non-Orthodox, mixed-gender prayers in public areas.

The rejection drew sharp criticism from the Supreme Court justices, who expressed frustration with the city’s position. Justice Yechiel Kasher questioned whether the municipality’s stance was discriminatory against Orthodox worshippers, particularly when other forms of prayer are permitted in public.

“I don’t understand, the municipality cannot allow prayer according to traditional practices in the public space?” asked liberal Justice Ofer Grosskopf. He continued, “You are saying that in a closed space like a shul, gender separation is possible, but outdoors it’s forbidden? Those who want Orthodox prayer have to go, and those who don’t, don’t have to go? Why does the municipality need to prevent this kind of prayer?”

Later, in a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court ordered the Tel Aviv Municipal Authority to permit the gender-separated outdoor Yom Kippur tefillos in Meir Park. The ruling allows for the first and tefillos to include a mechitza between men’s and women’s sections, despite the city’s initial refusal to allow such practices in public spaces.

“Tel Aviv is part of the Jewish state, and those who want to pray with gender separation and a divider are able to do so also there,” Rosh Yehudi said in response to the ruling, welcoming the court’s decision.

The dispute centers on an appeal filed by Rosh Yehudi after the Tel Aviv District Court upheld the municipality’s decision to ban the gender-separated Yom Kippur service in Dizengoff Square. Last year, a similar event organized by Rosh Yehudi led to public clashes, igniting a national debate.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)