I have mixed feelings about the “historic” compromise reached about a week ago in Israel creating a new, egalitarian prayer space south of the Western Wall plaza. …

… To be sure, compromises call for giving up things, and at least the women will have a nice space for their prayer services. Maybe the openness of their new space will attract more and more Israeli women, and maybe with time they will be able to make their mark on the Wall. They have, after all, drawn international attention to their cause.

… Attitudes change, even if it takes years. We can welcome the compromise the Women of the Wall have made as a step forward. But we will be mistaken if we view it as a great victory. The women’s goal of praying freely with other women at the Western Wall is yet to be reached.