Lehava
Encyclopedia
Lehava is an Israel
i organization whose primary objective is opposing marriages between Jewish women and non-Jewish, particularly Arab
, men. It has been described as "far-right-wing" in the Israeli media. The organization gained notoriety in 2010 after sending an open letter to Israeli Jewish supermodel Bar Refaeli
urging her to break off her relationship with American actor Leonardo DiCaprio
, who is Roman Catholic. Lehava was founded by Mosis Zion, and it employs a number of figures including Kahanist politician Baruch Marzel
, formerly of the outlawed Kach
movement. Multiple rebbetzin
s, acting on behalf of Lehava, issued an open letter urging Israeli women not to date Arabs; this letter caused a controversy
and was denounced by other rabbis.
In addition to opposing interfaith and interethnic marriages, Lehava also has encouraged Israelis to report to the organization the names of Israelis who rent to Arabs, so that they can be named and shamed publicly.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i organization whose primary objective is opposing marriages between Jewish women and non-Jewish, particularly Arab
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
, men. It has been described as "far-right-wing" in the Israeli media. The organization gained notoriety in 2010 after sending an open letter to Israeli Jewish supermodel Bar Refaeli
Bar Refaeli
Bar Refaeli is an Israeli model and occasional actress, most known for her modeling work and for her relationship with American actor Leonardo DiCaprio. She was the cover model of the 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.-Early life:...
urging her to break off her relationship with American actor Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio is an American actor and film producer. He has received many awards, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his performance in The Aviator , and has been nominated by the Academy Awards, Screen Actors Guild and the British Academy of Film and Television...
, who is Roman Catholic. Lehava was founded by Mosis Zion, and it employs a number of figures including Kahanist politician Baruch Marzel
Baruch Marzel
Baruch Meir Marzel is an Israeli politician. Marzel, an American-born Orthodox Jew, lives in the Jewish community of Hebron in Tel Rumeida with his wife and nine children. He is the leader of the Religious Zionism-orientated Jewish National Front party...
, formerly of the outlawed Kach
Kach
Kach is town and union council of the Ziarat District in the Balochistan province of Pakistan. It is located at 30°26'2N 67°19'27E and has an altitude of 2020m ....
movement. Multiple rebbetzin
Rebbetzin
Rebbitzin or Rabbanit is the title used for the wife of a rabbi, typically from the Orthodox, or Haredi, and Hasidic Jewish groups...
s, acting on behalf of Lehava, issued an open letter urging Israeli women not to date Arabs; this letter caused a controversy
December 2010 Israeli rabbi letter controversy
In December 2010, two open letters signed by rabbis in Israel generated heated controversy within and outside the country.The first letter was a psak din signed by an estimated 50 rabbis, urged Israeli landowners not to rent to Arabs or other non-Jews...
and was denounced by other rabbis.
In addition to opposing interfaith and interethnic marriages, Lehava also has encouraged Israelis to report to the organization the names of Israelis who rent to Arabs, so that they can be named and shamed publicly.