Parashat Terumah Returning to the Kotel – Finally – February 11, 2016 | 2 Adar I 5776

“There are people with a heart of stone; and there are stones with a human heart.” – Yossi Gamzu

The stones are the Kotel, of course. The Western Wall has been the focus of our prayers for over 2000 years. But only last week can we as Conservative Jews begin to feel like equals when we pray there.

You know that the Kotel prayer space operates like an Orthodox synagogue with men and women praying separately, divided by a Mehitza. And you know that in recent years Conservative communities have davened with men and women together by the southern end of the Kotel, near Robinson’s Arch. When our Temple groups go to Israel, this is where we host the Bar/Bat Mitzvahs so the whole family can be present. But this site always felt second-rate to me because it’s smaller, it’s out of sight of the main prayer space, and it has a separate entrance.

Not anymore. Last week the Israeli government approved a measure to expand this egalitarian prayer space at the Kotel to an equal level with the Orthodox prayer space. It will be as large, as visible, as accessible from the main entrance. It’s been entirely too long, but at last we don’t have to feel like outsiders when we want to pray as a whole family or community. Furthermore, the site will be overseen by Reform and Conservative leaders, which is perhaps the first official role for non-Orthodox rabbis in Israel. Though there are still major steps to take before Conservative Jews can feel as full equals in Israel, this is significant progress. I hope it’s the first of many.

In the Torah reading we shift to the construction of the Mishkan, the portable synagogue that accompanied the Israelites from Egypt to Israel. We read that G-d says, “Make for Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them” (Ex. 25:8). Note that G-d will dwell among “them” – the people – not “it” – the place.

It’s only appropriate that the Kotel, which belongs to all Jews, look and feel like that. As we return to an expanded Kotel, let us do our part to live lives inspired by G-d dwelling among us – the community – and within us – our hearts.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Alex Freedman