Freedom Riders

Some of us took the opportunity to meet and talk with Anat Hoffman. She is the head of the Israel Religious Action Center (similar to our Religious Action Center in Washington DC.) she spoke of the issues important to the center - those involving Jews and Non-Jews. 

Our group participated in the Freedom Ride. Public transportation does not discriminate and a court case determined that bus drivers must implement that policy. The history of very orthodox sections of Jerusalem has been that either through intimidation or social pressure, the women must sit at the back of the bus. 

We were in the first rows accompanied by staffers from IRAC on bus line 56 leaving Ramat Schlomo. Some men didn't get on the bus, or left prematurely after seeing us. One woman remarked that she never liked sitting on the back of the bus. Although there were several empty seats next to the women, the men chose to stand all the way. 

It was an honor to have met Anat, a heroine, and to do our small part in changing the reality of Jewish women in Jerusalem. At one time there were over 250 segregated bus lines; now, just 50. 

Please check out the Israel Religious Action Center website and join the battle. 

Linda Bergman