O-Wow!

Oh wow indeed!

Yeah, that’s right. Even the name itself says it. Another group. I wish it was hard to believe, but it makes perfect sense. The original stance was that Woman of the Wall should be allowed to serve G-d in the manner they have chosen at the Kotel. O-Wow is not really a new group. They consist of some founding members that have not lost sight of the original concept, which is to pray as they please by the Western Wall. The compromise of moving to an egalitarian section that has been offered in exchange for WoW’s list of demands surely misses the point. They want to pray at the Kotel, where they have been the past 25 years and to be acknowledged as having the right to pray there. And so two steps forward three steps back.

If the Sharansky plan continues there will be huge amounts of time, money and effort in building a catch all spot for prayer. The purpose was to appease WoW and end the ongoing feud between them and W4W. Since O-WoW plans to continue where WoW left off at the Kotel and it seems unlikely that WFW will relent in their opposition demonstrations, then in my opinion the whole Sharansky plan should be shelved as it clearly does not present a solution to the conflict.

The attitude that an individual’s wants and needs take precedence over a peaceful, unified existence is prevalent on all sides. Each group has their own agenda and is unwilling to sacrifice unless that agenda is met. It is sad. It feels hopeless. I watch each side all geared up to pray with fervor to their personal G-d against their fellow woman. I speak up for this reason. I speak out against disharmony. I speak out for unity. I feel at times like a child from a dysfunctional family that cries every time the members fight, wanting only for a loving, peaceful home with my brothers and sisters.

Pleeeease stop!  For the sake of heaven lock yourselves in a room till you can work this out; if not, then you should ALL be banished from the kotel. All of you:  WoW, O-WoW, W4W or anyone else that can’t maintain peace at our holiest site. Get your act together. If not for your sake then for the sake of our future.

Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem echad! “Hear O Israel( that’s you, that’s us) Hashem is OUR G-d, Hashem is one.” We are meant to be ONE people serving one G-d! Not fractured groups separated and divided, praying in protest. To say these words and not strive towards its realization is hypocritical. Please think about that the next time you pray.