He cites some alarming recent examples of the progressive Jewish community in Israel facing challenges to their legitimacy from the Ultra-Orthodox community. Specifically he talks about the statement made by Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, a former chief rabbi of Israel, who said that the Holocaust occurred as a result of Germany’s Jews embracing Reform Judaism. Shortly there after, Rabbi Micky Boyden, a Reform rabbi who made Aliyah and lost a son serving in the IDF in Lebanon, was asked not to chant a prayer he had previously been invited to lead at the local commemoration for Yom HaZikaroan, Israel’s Memorial Day.

He offers a very astute analysis which addresses that fact that the infighting occurring between Jews in Israel is particularly ironic at the time of year it took place. When observing Yom Hashoah, the nation of Israel should take stock of the fact that every Jew, regardless of their observance level or affiliation, perished the same way, with a common enemy that decided their fate.

Rabbi David Ellenson, dean of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion wrote a piece for this week’s edition of the Forward about the incidents as well.