Re "Talking to a wall, connecting with God," Opinion, Jan. 4
Reform Rabbi Ben Kamin may imagine that the "stern, bearded men" he sees at the Western Wall in Jerusalem are "scolding" him "with their fierce eyes" for not wearing a skullcap, but even his imagination should not twist the facts.
Rabbi Kamin's female relatives are, despite what he seems to imply, not barred from praying at the site. Yes, the area of the wall plaza is segregated by sex, befitting a place that is the remnant of the courtyard of a temple where such separation was instituted to ensure a feeling of solemnity and holiness for worshipers. But women are just as welcome as men.
Rabbi Kamin is right that God sees no difference between Orthodox men "in their traditional garb and me in my jeans and blazer." If he smiles at those black-clad men, he may find that Jews who don't dress like him nevertheless consider him their brother.
