Jerusalem – Despite Vast Difference On Many Issues, Ultra-Orthodox And Reform Leaders Agree That Metzger Arrest Means “Little”

Jerusalem – Despite having vast differences on many issues, the leaders of both the Reform Jews and the Ultra-Orthodox Jewish community agreed that the arrest of Israel’s Ashkenazi chief rabbi, Yona Metzger, last week means very little.

JTA (http://bit.ly/16xjf5Y) reports that both Rabbi Shmuel Pappenheim of the haredi Eda Haharedit, and Reform Rabbi Uri Regev, both expressed little concern over what, if any, affect Metzger’s arrest will have.

Metzger was arrested last week on suspicion of embezzlement.

Pappenheim views Metzger largely as a political appointee with little religious influence, while Regev pointed out that Metzger has little significance to the secular majority.