The Western Wall in Jerusalem is the holiest site for Jews. For thousands of years, Jews dreamed of standing at this place and praying. The Kotel, or Western Wall, is the western retaining wall of the Temple Mount, on which the two Temples stood.  Since the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans in 70 A.D. the southern part of the Wall was covered with rubble and remained hidden until 1867, when archaeological excavations began there. “Robinson’s Arch” is located at the southern end of the Western Wall.

During the time of Herod, the arch served as an ancient overhead entrance. It enabled entrance to the Temple Mount, as well as providing access to the Cardo, the ancient Roman street located below. The Cardo served as a central axis for trade and the movement of pilgrims to Jerusalem. Today, the arch is part of the archeological site situated near the platform known as “Ezrat Yisrael”, which is open to all Jews who wish to pray or read from the Torah in an egalitarian setting.

Masorti runs and maintains the prayer space at “Ezrat Yisrael” making it possible to hold egalitarian prayer services and Bar or Bat Mitzvah ceremonies with the entire family. Currently, the prayer area consists of two temporary platforms. The Masorti Movement provides prayer books and Torah scrolls free of charge. 

The Masorti Movement gained access, in the year 2000, to conduct egalitarian prayer services for both men and women in the tradition and spirit of the Masorti Movement following a prolonged public struggle.  An additional agreement was reached on January 31, 2016 to create and fund a permanent egalitarian prayer space under the explicit control of the Masorti Movement and its partners.