Families oppose memorial service with Reform rabbi
By JPOST.COM STAFF
Bereaved Families in Hod Hasharon plan to boycott the local Remembrance Day ceremony for fallen soldiers that will take place on Monday due to a decision by the city's Yad Labanim organization to have a Reform rabbi read the El malei rahamim prayer, Israel Radio reported on Friday.
In past years, the prayer was always read by an Orthodox rabbi. However, Yad Labanim decided this year to appoint Rabbi Mickey Boyden of the Reform community in the Sharon, who is himself a bereaved father.
The families who oppose the decision, mainly from the Orthodox sector, have said it is difficult for them to accept a Reform rabbi performing the service.
Yad Labanim, meanwhile, said the organization did not want to turn the memorial ceremony into a political and religious struggle.