Recently, the Jewish world again witnessed a shameful lack of inclusiveness and the significant degree of religious intolerance in Israeli society. This time, the victims were nine autistic children and their families. 

In Rehovot, Israel, a special bar/bat mitzvah program for children with challenges, created more than 20 years ago by the Masorti (Conservative) movement and accessed regularly by all religious streams, is now in jeopardy.

Rahamim Malul, the Orthodox mayor of Rehovot, decided that the service created expressly with and for these children and their families would not take place as scheduled, after months and months of preparation, because it would be overseen by a Masorti (read non-Orthodox) rabbi in a Masorti kehillah (congregation). This, in spite of the fact that many such ceremonies have taken place across Israel for 20 years, including in Rehovot as recently as last year.

It gets worse.

With this shameful circumstance hitting the news waves, and the majority of Israelis shocked and objecting, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin’s office agreed to hold the service at his official residence, all parties meeting and agreeing to a specific service format with an Orthodox rabbi co-officiating with a Masorti rabbi.

But then, abruptly, with no communication with the Masorti movement or the families whatsoever, Rivlin, presumably under pressure from Israel’s ultra-Orthodox political faction, cancelled the expected service unilaterally, substituting a “handshake” and an Orthodox rabbi, a stranger to the families, to officiate at what was clearly a non-service.

One can only imagine the stress, distress, confusion and disappointment of the children and their families.

In response, Yizhar Hess, the Masorti movement’s CEO, said, “To slam a door on Jewish teens at the moment they are about to enter the fellowship of the Jewish People is terrible; to do so to a young person with disabilities is unforgivable. The insult to the dignity of these teens and their parents is egregious. Together with all those who believe that a tolerant and diverse Israeli society is the key to its survival, we are shocked and dismayed by this decision. The Masorti movement has helped to create strong Israelis who are unfettered by the handicaps and challenges they face. Mayor Malul should be ashamed of himself.”

The Masorti Movement Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program for Children with Disabilities has a solid foundation of 20 years of service to Israel. It has grown from one school in 1995 to dozens, and thousands of students and their families have participated from all religious backgrounds, including haredim. The Masorti movement does this because we know children with special needs can be instructed. All of our children stood with us at Sinai, and every parent and every child deserves to hear that heart-warming “mazal tov.” 

We are taught in the Talmud (Masechet Shabbat) that “the world exists only on account of the laughter of children.” To stifle that laughter, pride and joy, especially when it stems from some of our most vulnerable, is a chillul HaShem (desecration of the name of God). 

Too often, life cycle events are overlooked or considered impossible for many special needs children because of their individual challenges. The Masorti movement’s program welcomes anyone, regardless of religious affiliation, ability or socio-economic status.

If Israel, through its leadership, continues to reflect an exclusive and singular approach to who can be counted as a Jew, as this latest incident suggests, how can we, a people clearly divided by our beliefs, ever grow stronger together and become “the light unto the nations” that remains our collective mission?

In the wake of the unsettling decision in Rehovot, Rabbi Dan Selsberg, president of the Ontario Rabbinical Assembly, said, “We are all called upon to be just and compassionate, as God is just and compassionate.” Rabbi Selsberg expressed sadness and disappointment in Malul’s “harmful, unfeeling and anti-Jewish decision.” 

Jews in Canada make efforts to include all challenged children and their families in meaningful bar/bat mitzvah ceremonies. We do not question which rabbi they choose to officiate or where the service is held. We simply do the right thing and provide the opportunity. 

We ask you to raise your voices with us, to support the right of all Israeli children and their families to experience the joy and fulfilment of celebrating bar/bat mitzvah, our right and our rite of coming of age as a Jewish adult. 

Rabbi Jenifer Gorman is executive director of the Canadian Foundation for Masorti Judaism and MERCAZ-Canada. Ron Hoffman is president of the Canadian Foundation for Masorti Judaism. Marion Mayman is the president of MERCAZ-Canada.