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Page 6 THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE November 14, 1986 Orthodox, Reform reach accord in Baka by Edwin Black Conclusion —JERUSALEM An explosive situation was de fused when Rabbi Eliahu Aber- gil, the ultra-Orthodox chief rabbi of Jerusalem’s Baka dis trict, signed an accord with Is rael’s Reform movement which in essence recognized Reform Judaism’s right to exist—at least in Baka. In exchange, Reform Rabbi Levi Weiman-Kellman agreed to drop criminal charges against Rabbi Abergil, lodged when the chief rabbi led a violent raid against Wieman-Kellman’s Reform synagogue on Simhat Torah eve. Unwilling to see their quiet neighborhood pulled into a reli gious battle, community organ izers from the essentially easy going Sephardic Baka district worked tirelessly to defuse the conflict. Rabbi Weiman-Kellman and Rabbi Abergil both agreed to attend a closed door negotia ting session. The press was barred, but this reporter was allowed to attend. Seated around a small table in the basement of the Baka com munity center were the two rab bis: Abergil dressed in traditional black hat and coat; Wieman- Kellman wearing a floppy, short- sleeved, white shirt and a knitted kipa. Two community leaders acted as intermediaries, and Meir Azarit sat in as the director of the Reform movement. The meeting itself was precendent setting. Ob servers here could not recall when Reform and Orthodox even agreed to discuss issues. From the outset, the participants clearly acknowl edged the new ground they had created. But they also understood that the future of the next communal crisis in Israel was in their hands, or more precisely dependent upon Congregation Beth Shalom Sisterhood Hanuka BAZAAR NOV. 16, 1986 Independent Merchants Offering Clothes, Toys and other Holiday Gifts. Also children’s SHUK (a market for children only) 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. M.C./V1SA accepted AJCC/ZABAN 5342 Tilly Mill Road HUEY'S Try Our Sunday Smoker 4 p.m. - 11 p.m. “Of course, the BEST Trout in town...” —Bobby Isaacson, owner “Tue NEVER had Smoked Turkey like this before...” —D.G. Isaacson, owner “The Chicken is GREAT, but the chutney is a bit too sweet...” —Jim Shanks, former employee For Only *6.50 Lots of extras, including a free order of our famous beignets. 1816 Peachtree St. 1 block South of Collier Road 873-2037 See our new decor i £ % \ £ Rabbi Abergil asked Rabbi Weiman- Kellman: “Is there room for both Reform and Orthodox in Israel?” He answered with the same codeword language, “Yes, there is room for Jews of all different opinions to live together peacefully.”...Regardless of ambiguous language, the accord’s most important sentence may be the declaration: “The future of our people depends on our ability to talk together and accept one another.” 7 the words to be written on a piece of paper positioned in front of Rabbi Abergil. There was no dic tating of language. The commun ity leaders merely suggested three principles to agree on: 1) an apology for the Simhat Torah violence; 2) a promise not to do it again; 3) a declaration conceding the right of co-existence with Reform Jewry. It was up to Rabbi Abergil to frame the language. 'Is.uijzLxu \}anta±Lz± “A Different Kind of Jewelry Store” NEW ARRIVALS Men’s And Women’s Rings In 14kt Gold With Lapis, Blue Topaz, Onyx, Opal and Pearls Combined With Diamonds Beautiful New Contemporary Designs \ Williamsburg at Dunwoody Mt. Vernon & Jett Ferry Rds. 392-9696 I STUDY SKILLS ASSOCIATES Presents A Formula for Academic Excellence STUDY SKILLS ASSOCIATES offers specially designed study skills workshops, using proven study techniques, to help students develop more effective study habits and pro vide a systematic approach to academic success. The workshops are designed specifically for Middle School, High School and University students and are conducted throughout the year. The instructors are noted educators with over 20 years experience researching, developing and teaching effective study skills. Summer camp sessions are also available for students entering high school. The camp program involves the stu dent in an intensive program of study skills, academic review, high school preparation and recreation. Study Skills Associates ! So>11 Buuifv did nui Georgia 'll K MO mnal inlotmai.i.r, p kcVduiev contait 3 11» additi 1 workshop DR RONALD LUCK1E 404-371-1929 The chief rabbi of Baka started writing in Hebrew, studying each word, occasionally crossing out a sentence and starting over again. Weiman-Kellman could not help but glance downward periodically to monitor the slow, plodding progress. Rabbi Abergil was clearly under pressure. The prospect of a three-year jail sent ence should Rabbi Weiman-Kell man not drop the charges was the Reform movement’s acknowledged bargaining chip. Even so, the Baka rabbi would only go so far. During the sometimes light hearted, sometimes angry, two- hour session, long arguments were sometimes sparked over a single word. While Rabbi Abergil wanted to be freed from prosecution, he was unwilling to “legitimize” Reform Judaism and was fearful of a backlash from his own com munity. But he finally agreed to refer to Weiman-Kellman as a “rabbi”—a first in Israel. But come what may, he refused to welcome “different interpreta tions in the Land of Israel.” In stead Rabbi Abergil insisted on the surrogate wording, “different opinions in the land of Israel." Ambiguity was unacceptable to the Reform side. And after a long exchange of raised voices, neither rabbi would budge. The deadlock was only broken when a key individual associated with the Reform’s negotiations was contacted by an intermediary. The intermediary told the Reform source, “He’s scared. He’s been thinking about jail since Fridas. Fine. The question now is how far do you want to push him. You have only two choices. Insist on the language; he will not agree, and then next weekend the Reform movement will be down with their supporters, and he’ll come in with his people from Mea Shearim"—as had happened in Jerusalem a thousand times be fore—“and we’ll have a big con frontation here in Baka. “Or,” continued the interme diary, “we do it the Israeli was. Give Abergil a way out, take the best agreement you can, and it’s a great beginning.” For a long time, the Reform source stood in si lence. It had been a horrific ses- eral days, and he was emotion ally drained. He abhorred the idea of compromising on basic rights of freedom of worship. Unyielding, he shook his head in disbelief and said quietly, "he called us whores.” The intermediary granted the Reform source’s sense of out rage, but repeated, “You have won. Take the letter as it is.” The Reform source shut his eyes and nodded. Several minutes later, the declaration was signed by Rabbi Abergil. At that, both rabbis jumped into a car and drove to the Jerusa lem police headquarters to drop the charges. As the car sped through the stone-linedstreets ol south Jerusalem, the two began talking in Hebrew about why Weiman-Kellman had come to Israel in the first place. Rabbi Abergil, sensing that he was mis- characterized at one point turned to Rabbi Weiman-Kellman and declared. “1 am a Zionist, you know. I am a Zionist.” He then Continued next page-