February 26, 2026
The Rabbinical Alliance of America — Igud HaRabbonim, representing over 950 rabbis across North America — expresses strong support for the effort to entrust rabbinic authorities with maintaining the character of prayer at the Kotel HaMa’aravi, the holiest site accessible to the Jewish people, as it faces legal and political challenges.
For generations, the Kotel has stood as a symbol of continuity and reverence for the tradition that has guided Jewish worship since time immemorial. It is not merely a national monument or tourist attraction. The Kotel is a holy site—a sacred remnant of the Temple in Jerusalem—whose sanctity is safeguarded by the tradition faithfully transmitted from generation to generation.
The current debate is often framed as a matter of accommodation or inclusion. However, at its core, this issue is one of responsibility and stewardship. The Jewish people have long maintained an unbroken commitment to Torah and halachah. Practices and ideologies that depart from these foundational principles, however sincerely held, cannot be accorded equal standing at Judaism’s holiest site without eroding the very tradition and sanctity the place represents.
The Rabbinical Alliance of America affirms that the administration of the Kotel must remain in the hands of those committed to maintaining its halachic integrity. Institutionalizing practices that conflict with the established tradition risks misleading visitors and weakening the spiritual meaning of a place that has united Jews in prayer and hope for millennia.
This position is not rooted in exclusion or animosity toward any individual. On the contrary, we emphasize that every Jew retains inherent dignity and value. Our concern is directed solely at preserving the integrity of sacred space and ensuring that the Kotel remains a symbol of continuity rather than contention.
We therefore call upon Jewish leaders in Israel and throughout the Diaspora to approach this matter with seriousness, humility and historical awareness. Jewish unity is strengthened not by blurring distinctions at our most sacred sites, but by reaffirming our shared commitment to Torah, mitzvah observance and the traditions that have sustained our people through exile and return.
May the Almighty grant us peace among our nation and safety from hostile nations, and may we merit to see the rebuilding of the Temple speedily in our days.