Israeli Court Disbands Religious Councils

Chipping away at the Orthodox monopoly over religious affairs in Israel, the Supreme Court on Monday disbanded government religious councils in Jerusalem and another town because they excluded Reform and Conservative Jews.

In a third city, the court overruled the municipal authorities of Haifa and ordered a Conservative and a Reform representative appointed to the religious council.

The religious councils, appointed by city councils, provide rabbis for weddings and funerals, maintain ritual baths and synagogues and supervise restaurants certified as adhering to Jewish dietary laws.

The Supreme Court, ruling that Jerusalem and Kiryat Tivon improperly rejected candidates because of their religious views, ordered them to appoint new religious councils within 60 days.