fbpx

Chief rabbi will recite Kaddish for Pollard’s father

Israeli Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger said he\'ll say Kaddish for jailed spy Jonathan Pollard\'s father, who was buried Monday.
[additional-authors]
June 22, 2011

Israeli Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger said he’ll say Kaddish for jailed spy Jonathan Pollard’s father, who was buried Monday.

Pollard cannot say Kaddish for his father, Morris, with a minyan because there is none in the federal prison in North Carolina in which Pollard is serving a life sentence for spying for Israel. Pollard was not granted release to attend his father’s funeral.

“When I visited Pollard in prison, he asked me to say Kaddish on the anniversary of his mother’s death, as he has no minyan,” Metzger told Israeli media. “Unfortunately, the situation hasn’t changed, and so I have taken upon myself to do this minor thing, for our brother Jonathan and for his father’s soul.”

Metzger has called on President Obama to grant Pollard clemency.

Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.

Editor's Picks

Latest Articles

The Essence of Prayer

While prayer and meditation seem similar, they are different. Prayer involves praying to a higher being. Meditation is more about focusing on yourself and your inner dialogue. Together, they can help you become more centered.

How We Got Here

Part history, part memoir, part farewell letter to her native land, “Stained Glass” tells its agonizing story with restrained anger, but more so, deep sadness.

Casting Our Votes

No endorsements. Just three possibilities to consider as we prepare to navigate an increasingly complicated political landscape before we cast our votes for these three critical offices.

Where Independence Begins: What Israel Understands About Freedom

Israel’s path to independence unfolded under conditions where the outcome remained uncertain until it was achieved. No external mechanism could deliver it cleanly or without cost. It took shape through sustained effort in an environment defined by risk.

Lies in the Air, Facts on the Ground

We sing no matter what. When the hostages were held in Gaza, we sang in their honor. When another week of bad news hits us, we sing. Our singing is our fact on the ground.

The Holy See Who Won’t See

People who should know better seem to know absolutely nothing when the stakes are at their highest. The Pope, who is the final arbiter on Catholic teachings, appears to be only vaguely familiar with both Christian and papal history.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.