10 July 2019

Statement by Rabbi Danny Rich

Like Jews all over the world, I was shocked and saddened at the comments of Israeli minister Rafi Peretz – who described mixed faith marriages of Jews and non-Jews in the diaspora as “like a second Holocaust”.

This is an offensive and ignorant comment from Rafi Peretz who, presumably with a sense of irony, was given the ‘Education’ portfolio by Benjamin Netanyahu.

He would do better to do what his portfolio demands which is to improve schooling for Israeli children and make a sensible and sensitive contribution to Jewish and Israel education outside of Israel.

Meanwhile Liberal Judaism will redouble its efforts to support all those who find love. Liberal Judaism has always believed that we should welcome all mixed faith couples so that intermarriage actually means marrying in, not marrying out.