Why Israel’s Religious Leaders Oppose Reform Judaism

[memphis]

It has been my experience that Orthodox and Reform Jews really, really don't like each other. It's not just theological. It's personal. And it doesn't help that they largely live in different worlds where they are unlikely to encounter each other. Orthodox Jews are all about the bloodline. If your mother is Jewish, then your Jewish. And if she's not, you're not.  And before any Orthodox couple gets engaged, each family will do thorough research on the other to ensure a proper background. And not just to ensure the other party is Jewish. A history of divorce or mental illness or a "conversion" to practicing Orthodoxy are huge red flags, even if the conversion was many years ago. Orthodox personal ads seek FFB. Frum (religious) from birth. Reform Jews are usually just culturally Jewish. They are encouraged to question doctrine. They'll probably light candles at Hanukah and may attend Yom Kippur services, but are largely very liberal with an ACLU view of the world.