Minister of Economic Affairs (Bayit Yehudi) Naftali Bennett on Wednesday, 18 Tammuz 5773 met with a delegation of Conservative Jewish leaders in the Knesset. Bennett said “since Har Sinai there has always been different shades of Judaism. I appreciate and admire your movement, the Conservative Movement. I wish to ensure, at least for myself, that we are entering into a new era.”

Bennett promised “there will be dialogue between us, not like in previous administrations.”

The Rabbinical Assembly is visiting in Israel, made of close to 200 rabbis from the Conservative Movement around the world. They are meeting with President Shimon Peres to discuss matters of religion and state. Bennett met with some of them along with attorney Yitzhar Hess, the director of the Conservative Movement.

Hess told Srugim that from his perspective, “the meeting was an historic event. It was the first time that the minister of religious affairs met with rabbis affiliated with the Conservative Movement. I think there was merit to the meeting above the concrete promises from Minister Bennett regarding promised changes in matters of religion and state, but the atmosphere of respect regarding his attitude towards Conservative Judaism was the right thing at the right time.”

Hess told Srugim that twice during their meeting Bennett made a point of saying ‘I am Orthodox’, but added that as a Jew and a cabinet minister of Israel he represents everyone, not just his sector. He promised to do his utmost to increase ahavas Yisrael towards the Jewish People uniting as one.”

In a meeting with President Peres the president told Conservative leaders that change has already begun in Israel towards recognizing non-Orthodox streams of Judaism, adding “Pluralism is already in progress.”

When the delegation met with Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein he told them that regarding religion and state, it is important to learn how to handle the disagreement and disputes. He added “when one side wins, the Jewish People lose.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)