A recent decision by the Israel Broadcasting Authority, which
was reported in the 9 Nisan edition of the English Yated,
prohibited a major advertising campaign by the
Conservative and Reform which promoted alternative weddings
performed by their organizations.
The radio commercials claimed that their wedding ceremonies
are kedas Moshe veYisroel and are recognized under
law. The Israel Broadcast Authority banned the commercials
since only marriages performed under the auspices of the
local Chief Rabbinate are legal.
This decision has not deterred the Conservative from placing
newspaper advertisements offering "halachic conversions." In
order to overcome the possibility of again being faced with
the advertisements being prohibited, the ad included a
disclaimer in small letters on the side stating "the interior
ministry does not yet recognize the Masorti Conversion."
The Vaad HaRabbonim Haolami LeInyonei Giyur headed by HaRav
Chaim Kreiswirth of Antwerp has protested the ad, claiming
that it is a misrepresentation of the concept of
halacha and may be misleading to true potential
converts.
The Vaad asked the Israeli Chief Rabbinate to deal with the
matter, and to file an official complaint against the
advertisement on the legal grounds that the Conservative
movement should not use the word "halacha."
