Knesset to Hold First Ever Jewish Identity Day

The Tzohar organization has announced that on February 8th, the Knesset will mark its first ever “Jewish Identity Day,” an initiative of the rabbinical organization and a highlight of its Tzohar Legislation Project. The Project serves as an apolitical forum designed to provide Knesset members with Jewish outlook and context in the law making process. The initiative has gained the support of Knesset parliamentarians from all across the political landscape.

“Who would have ever thought that in the Jewish State, the parliament of this nation would require a ‘Jewish Identity Day?’ Yet it is remarkable that all too often our principle law-making body ignores Jewish values when it comes to the legislating process,” said Rabbi David Stav, Chairman and Founder of Tzohar. “Our goal is to help our lawmakers show that Jewish identity can serve as the ultimate guidepost in making Israel an international role model of integrity and values, and we have been welcomed with open arms from lawmakers from nearly all parties and backgrounds.”

Rabbi Stav cautioned that the initiative is not centered on Jewish religious practice but rather on social values. “We are not here to say that Knesset members should abide by more strict interpretations of halacha or be coerced to make changes in how he or she lives their lives, “Rav Stav said. “Our objective is to show that values centered around Judaism and Jewish identity must become more imbedded in how Israel operates as a society – and there is nowhere better to highlight this than in our national lawmaking body.”

The Jewish Identity Day will include the participation of the Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin and Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs Minister Yuli Edelstein alongside other MKs and dignitaries. A series of sessions to be held in the Knesset Auditorium will focus on proactive ways to inject a greater sense of Jewish identity in the activities of Israel’s Parliament.