Women for the Wall Appeal to WOW Not to Use Sefer Torah in Protest

Women of the Wall leaders have announced their intention to bring a sefer Torah to hold outside Dung Gate “to protest,” and a shofar to be blown to “Stand Up Against Bullying and Injustice.”

“We are deeply saddened that the Reform-led Women of the Wall would use a holy site and holy articles, and disrespectfully use a sacred Torah scroll to advance their political agenda,” said Ronit Peskin, co-founder of Women For the Wall. “We are calling upon them to refrain from provocation, and upon those who wish to honor thousands of years of tradition at the site to respond with prayer and sanctification of G-d’s name.”

“It is shocking that WOW would use a Torah Scroll in a protest,” added Leah Aharoni, co-founder of Women For the Wall. “This represents a lack of respect to the Torah and to Jews who have treasured it for thousands of years. We call on WOW to reverse this terribly misguided decision, and on Jewish leaders from across the spectrum to speak out against this grossly provocative and disrespectful act.”

Women For the Wall also requested that everyone coming to the Kosel refrain from any provocative acts. They asked young men and boys to stay home if they cannot behave in a law-abiding and dignified manner.

“These foolish boys are the unwitting allies of Women of the Wall, and their best PR tool,” Aharoni said. “Screaming and violence do not belong at the holy site. The Kosel is not the place for a media circus or standoffs between Jews,” she said.

This article appeared in print on page 6 of the August 6th, 2013 edition of Hamodia.