The Israeli government is funding an advertising campaign encouraging secular Israelis to participate in prayer and discussions this week on Yom Kippur eve at 250 community centers across the nation. The Jerusalem Post reported yesterday that the ads have become the subject of some controversy. Rabbi Michael Melchior, Deputy Minister for Israeli Society and the World Jewish Community, said that the aim of the ad campaign was to emphasize the relevance of Jewish holidays for all. However, MK Avraham Poraz (Shinui) called on the government Sunday to halt state funding for the ad campaign. His letter to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said, "It is not the state's role to use tax payer's money to finance a campaign that encourages people to embrace religion".
Professor Shimon Sheetrit of the Hebrew University, a legal expert in religion-state issues said, "We are not in a state like the US that has a non-establishment clause or like France that is aggressively secular. We are in Israel, which is Jewish democratic state and provides funding for religious activity. About 95% of Israeli Jews fast on Yom Kippur. That is a clear consensus."
