As it turns out, there is more to the story concerning mixed prayer at the Western Wall. First, there already exists a place for mixed prayer near Robinson’s Arch. This was the result of a compromise between orthodox leaders in Israel and Conservative and Reform Jewish leaders from America. What was rejected earlier this week by the government is known as the Sharansky Compromise, named after the Israeli politician Natan Sharansky. This second compromise would have had three goals: 1 ) extend the present area for mixed prayer near Robinson’s Arch; 2) introduce a new entrance to the area; and 3) allow oversite to Conservative and Reform Jewish leaders and not the Western Wall Foundation. However, the first compromise still stands and there is still talk of expanding the area. With the rejection of the Sharansky Compromise, the issue now goes to the Israeli High Court.
I have included a link below to a recent video of Naftali Bennett, who is presently an Israeli Minister, who explains in more detail the history of the Kotel compromise.
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| Existing Area for Mixed Prayer. If you look closely inside the blue circle, you can see a small platform near the wall. When I visited, I did not notice anyone praying there. |
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| An illustration of Natan Sharansky's proposal, which would have expanded the Western Wall and create a permanent egalitarian space in the Robinson's Arch area. (photo credit: Creative Commons/Graphics by Uri Fintzy/JTA) |
When I visited the Old City of Jerusalem, I took numerous
pictures of the Western Wall. Among them
is the first picture above that captures a small platform near the wall. As it turns out, this appears to be the
existing area for mixed prayer. The
second picture and caption are from Uri Fintzy/JTA, which shows where the Sharansky’s
Compromise would have expanded the mixed area of prayer.
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