American Reform rabbis warn of alienation from Israel

[...] a series of comments by Israeli officials denigrating the group marred the event, reflecting an awkward relationship that many fear is alienating the world’s second-largest Jewish community from Israel.

The Reform Movement is the largest stream of Judaism in the United States, claiming to represent 1.5 million people, and its members provide a key source of financial support and political advocacy for Israel.

In the U.S., Reform synagogues are commonplace, characterized by practices such as mixed-gender prayers, services led by female rabbis and members who drive to synagogue on the Sabbath — customs that violate Orthodox norms.

Reform rabbis have made small gains in Israel, and in January, the movement was jubilant over perhaps its greatest victory — Israel’s announcement that it would create a special mixed-gender prayer area at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.