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Source: Independent
Comedienne Sarah Silvermans sister arrested at Western Wall in Jerusalem for wearing male prayer shawl
Alistair Dawber
Monday 11 February 2013
The sister of comedian Sarah Silverman was arrested at Jerusalems Western Wall today for wearing a male prayer shawl during an attempt by women to pray at Judaisms holiest site.
Rabbi Susan Silverman a member of the liberal Reform movement - and her daughter Hallel, were detained by police for wearing a blue and white tallitot, a shawl reserved only for orthodox men. Rabbi Silverman belongs to Women of the Wall a group that visits the site each month wearing traditionally male religious garb. Yesterday as many as 300 people gathered at the Western Wall in Jerusalems Old City, to protest at the orthodox control of the site.
The issue of women praying at the Western Wall is fraught. Only a small section of the ancient site is reserved for women, with the rest given over to male worship. Before last months general election, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he would consider ways of making the situation more equitable, despite a 2003 Supreme Court decision that upheld the divide.
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The police confirmed that the arrests of 10 women were connected to the wearing of male style tallitot. The monthly prayer sessions are usually highly charged, and often there are arrests.
Read more: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/comedienne-sarah-silvermans-sister-arrested-at-western-wall-in-jerusalem-for-wearing-male-prayer-shawl-8490591.html