Egalitarian prayer section at the Western Wall

Rabbi warns proposed Kotel bill could criminalize egalitarian prayer

Thirteen years ago, on the morning of Rosh Chodesh Adar, Rabbi Elyse Goldstein was detained at the Kotel after joining a group praying with Women of the Wall in the women’s section.

JUNE 4, 2026|ByJTA/ RABBI ROBYN FRYER BODZIN

Rabbi Robin Fryer Bodzin stands in front of the Western Wall in Jerusalem.

Ultra-orthodox Jewish men talk on the phone in front of the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City on December 4, 2025.

Should control of the Western Wall be delegated to one sect of Judaism over another? - editorial

With already strained Jewish unity, a recent Knesset vote sends a message that Israel is prepared to legislate one stream of Judaism’s authority over a site that carries meaning for all.

FEBRUARY 26, 2026|ByJPOST EDITORIAL

A Jewish woman covered in a white prayer shawl prays in front of the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City, during the Jewish holiday of Passover, April 2, 2018

Israel must advance permits for egalitarian Western Wall plaza, High Court orders

The ruling followed a hearing earlier last week, during which justices pressed state and municipal representatives over why worshippers at the egalitarian section still cannot reach the Wall.

FEBRUARY 22, 2026|BySARAH BEN-NUN

Members of the Women of the Wall, Conservative and Reform Movement hold Rosh Hodesh prayer at the Western Wall in Jerusalem Old City, March 4, 2022.

Western Wall compromise: Israel's High Court to hold hearing

This is the first hearing taking place on the issue in the past two years and the first during this government.

FEBRUARY 28, 2023|ByZVIKA KLEIN

High Court questions renovation delays in Western Wall egalitarian section

‘Saddened by the significant delays in dealing with making the southern [prayer] section of the Western Wall fitting for prayer’

NOVEMBER 5, 2020ByJEREMY SHARON

The damaged prayer platform of the Western Wall egalitarian prayer section which has been shut for nearly two years due to delays in repair work to the stones of the wall and now to the platform itself.

14 months and still no egalitarian access to Western Wall stones

‘Officials’ in Prime Minister’s Office say loose stones found above egalitarian section

OCTOBER 27, 2019ByJEREMY SHARON

Women of the Wall reach out to Rabbi Rabinowitz… who doesn’t reply

Women of the Wall’s monthly prayer services at the women’s section of the Western Wall are routinely met with hostile jeering, screaming, whistling and other forms of harassment.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2019ByJEREMY SHARON

Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, Rabbi of the Western Wall, poses for a photo in front of the holy site

Two years on, no progress at egalitarian Kotel plaza

‘They are trying to make us feel like second-rate citizens by making us pray at a third-rate place.’

JULY 3, 2019ByILANIT CHERNICK

Construction at the egalitarian prayer section at the Western Wall

Passover interview with Jerusalem Mayor, Moshe Lion

What would happen if you’re invited to a bat mitzvah that takes place in the “egalitarian” area? First I’d say no, but then I would check the case. Progressive Jewry is not a problem in Jerusalem.

APRIL 18, 2019ByGIL HOFFMAN, PEGGY CIDOR

State attorney threatens to open non-Orthodox Kotel section

Petitions by the national-religious group B'Tsedek demand to dismantle the existing egalitarian prayer platform, arguing that it was built illegally.

JANUARY 31, 2019ByJEREMY SHARON

MEMBERS OF Women of the Wall pray at the Kotel.

Gov't fails again to approve work on egalitarian Kotel plaza

Plans to upgrade and renovate the egalitarian prayer section of the Western Wall will be voted on in the Regional Committee for Planning and Construction of the Finance Ministry.

DECEMBER 16, 2018ByJEREMY SHARON