Jerusalem Chief Sephardic Rabbi HaGaon HaRav Shlomo Moshe Amar Shlita has issued a kol korei to women and girls to join the Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan shachris tefilos at the Kosel in a sign of opposition to the Women of the Wall (WoW) and Reform organizations.

The rav’s letter is his response to planned Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan events at the Kosel on Wednesday, the second day of Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan, hosted by WoW and Reform organizations.

WoW has been engaged in a campaign to get the word out regarding Wednesday’s morning program, including davening. Leaders of the Reform and Conservative Movements are expected to participate.

Rav Amar calls responding to “a mitzva”, as the time set is 6:45AM, “to gather humbly and modestly and in Eretz Yisrael, for a modest, humble tefilla with derech eretz and jealousy and strife for the pure bnos melachim (kings) and to prevent the blasphemy; basically, davening respectfully and quietly.”

The WoW response: “We are sorry that extremist and violent groups are investing much effort and energy to interrupt the prayer that is held in the site holy to Jews. We come peacefully and we all intend to daven at the Kosel. The public will know and understand who are really the ones who are desecrating the holy place and resort to violence and those who come to pray with intent faith and respect for the area’s kedusha. We expect the leaders and representatives of the public to stand alongside the WoW and anyone who believes that every Jew has a place at the Kosel.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)