1.   Orthodox leaders said it was forbidden under Jewish law to allow the more liberal streams of Judaism to have anything to do with the conversion process within Israel.

2.   A group of New York rabbis proposed Thursday forming a committee to help bridge differences between the Orthodox Jewish establishment and the more liberal streams of Judaism.

3.   An ultra-Orthodox legislator said recognition of the liberal streams was out of the question.

4.   Aside from its symbolic importance, the liberal streams say the law has practical ramifications.

5.   Attempts to undermine the liberal streams in Israel, have brought anger from American Jews who have threatened to cut-off funding and lobbying on behalf of the Jewish state.

6.   Bendel said the liberal streams would not be deterred by the legislation.

7.   But in Israel, the Orthodox Chief Rabbinate has sole control over marriage, divorce and other areas where the more liberal streams differ significantly.

8.   It has been a flashpoint between ultra-Orthodox Jews and more liberal streams of Judaism like the Reform and Conservative movements that seek to pray at the site.

9.   Lau noted the high assimilation rate among non-Orthodox Jews in the United States, but denied he was casting doubt on the Jewish identity of the more liberal streams.

10.   Liberal streams of Judaism like the Reform and Conservative movements predominate in North America but have only a small following in Israel.