Points of Jew

Community divides itself again

A number of leading Jewish businessmen have resigned from their involvement with the Jewish Association for Business Ethics following the denial of the organisation to allow non-orthodox rabbis to get fully involved.

Once again, it shows how some parts of the community, are actually dividing it, rather than trying to unite it. Sure, we may have some differences, but at the end of the day, we are still all Jews.

Outside of their respective synagogues, it's important for all sections of the Jewish community to respect each other. By preaching one thing of tolerance to all, but by excluding it to your own fellow Jew, it really is pathetic.

Among those leaving the JABE are Stephen Rubin of leisure and clothing company Pentland and Dixons-founder Lord Kalms.

The Jewish Chronicle reports:

Mr Rubin told the JC that he would quit the organisation — which was founded under the patronage of Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks — after several years in the chair. Lord Kalms and Gerald Rothman announced their resignations following a trustees’ meeting on Monday.

A proposal has been under discussion for several months for a non-Orthodox rabbi to address students of the Leo Baeck College-Centre for Jewish Education — the Progressive rabbinic training institute — under Jabe’s auspices at a neutral venue.

But some Orthodox rabbis are understood to have threatened to stop working with the association if the idea was implemented.

Lord Kalms, a United Synagogue member, pointed out that “the Chief Rabbi stood on a platform of inclusivism. Once again, after many other examples, he has tossed it into the long grass.”

So how was the conversion for you?

The Jewish Chronicle is reporting about a survey taking place by the Reform movement into people who have converted.

In 50 years, the Movement for Reform Judaism has converted 5000 people but to date has not really followed up what the experience was like.

The JC writes:

Rabbi Jackie Tabick of North-West Surrey Reform will be asking converts to complete a questionnaire formulated in conjunction with City University.

More than 5,000 people have converted through the Reform Beit Din in the last 50 years. This is the first time the Movement for Reform Judaism — formerly RSGB — has conducted research among converts, both those who are still members of Reform synagogues and those who have left Jewish communal life. The research will be incorporated into the movement’s 15-year plan, its “2020 Vision” programme.

“It is the only way we can learn how to improve the conversion process and also how we can make people feel more included in our communities after they have chosen to become Jewish,” she said.

Battle over JNF name continues

Just when you thought there was some hope that JNF UK and its JNF Israel counterpart would settle its differences and avoid further costly legal costs over the use of the JNF name in the UK, both groups are still playing silly buggers.

TotallyJewish takes up the story:

Hope for an amicable settlement between British JNF and its Israeli counterpart received a blow this week after officials on the Israeli side insisted they would not meet if the British charity’s President was present.

The two sides met in the High Court last week as the UK-based JNF, which is properly known as the JNF Charitable Trust (JNFCT), sought to prevent Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael from using the JNF brand name in the UK.

The court refused to grant a temporary injunction against Keren using the name and urged the two sides to arrange a mediated meeting to iron out their differences without resorting to spending donors’ money on expensive litigation.

So until this matter is resolved, my advice is, don't support either group. Support Israeli groups direct. At least that way, you'll know your money will be doing direct and won't be used to pay either sides legal and other associated costs.

Jewish urban myths - number 232

Is this just an urban Jewish myth or could it actully be true?

Miriam at Bloghead writes about how some ultra-orthodox folks are having their kids booted out of frum schools because the school is being a bit sneaky and checking to see if they have a TV in their home. In those communities a TV set is a no no.

Miriam writes:

It is rumoured that [a certain haredi school in the UK -- MS] has been ringing up the TV Licensing Authority masquarading as certain parents in order supposedly to check that their licence is still valid. Of course, if the TVLA confirms this, then they bring in the parents for a severe talking to or to suggest that their children may be better off at another school.

Quite apart from the appalling ethics of this, I suspect it could be illegal for reasons of data protection if nothing else. There are other issues relating to identity theft etc.

Expect this story to develop over coming weeks as more bloggers look to flesh it out. 

If it turns out to be true or has some element of truth in it, any wonder why anti-semites have a great time attacking us?

We seem to just give them stuff you couldn't make up if you wanted to which they then base their attacks on ius with. Although in this case, it could well be made up which means, we seem to add some credibility to this stuff.  It's tough being a Jew!

Or maybe this is the outline for a comedy sketch?  It's too funny to be true, or is it?

Bullying at Jewish schools

Last week saw much comment and discussion in the general press over bullying in schools and Jewish schools have been quick to announce they take a strong stance against pupil on pupil violence.

"We have occasionally suspended pupils over bullying issues and I am prepared to do so whenever necessary, but fortunately that has been rare," said  Rabbi James Kennard, headteacher of King Solomon High School to TotallyJewish.

The community needs to make sure it will not tolerate abuse of any kind and that includes pupil on pupil as well as adult on pupil.

Bullying is abuse and any form of abuse needs to be reported to the authorities.

And if children cannot feel confident of reporting it to an adult they know for fear, we need to see the community support a project that allows a secure way to report bullying and other forms of abuse.

Community leaders, over to you!

Pathetic (lack of) action of a Beth Din

Why do Beth Din's only seem to do things in their own self-interest, rather than for the community there are supposed to represent and provide Jewish guidance to?

In the Jewish Telegraph this week, it is reported that a women in Manchester is having a terrible time trying to get her ex to grant a get (Jewish divorce).

She has three children and her ex husband has not only denied her a get but does not pay any maintenance.

The Jewish Telegraph reports:

A 'chained' wife wants her ex-husband frozen out of the community.

"It's the only way to end my nightmare - and grant me a get," she pleaded last night.

And Rochel - not her real name - is seeking sanctions to make her ex-husband comply.

"People must stop inviting him into their homes for meals," said the sheitel-wearing woman, turning to the Jewish Telegraph as a last resort. "He should no longer be invited to simchas - nor to be employed."

Religious Rochel - who split from her 'ex' three years ago - added: "I am struggling to bring up my children as he refuses to pay maintenance or give a get."

So what is the Manchester Beth Din's reaction?  Well, to just try and sit it out.

Rabbi Yehuda Brodie, of Manchester Beth Din, defended the Jewish court's policy.

"The Beth Din feels deeply the pain and anxiety of any person who has unjustifiably been denied a get, especially over a lengthy period of time," he said. "Those who withhold a get for unethical reasons are to be decried. Indeed, there is a time and a place for communal sanctions."

As a community, we need to get tough on those who refuse to give their former wife a get. This so-called "men" are holding these women to ransom knowing full well that within the orthodox community a women without a get cannot get remarried.  While of course, these men are able to go off and do what they like.

When looking at the impotent Beth Din, is it any wonder why some men just act the way they do, they know there isn't much the Beth Din will do, though of course, there is plenty they can do.

Those who run these Beth Din's are usually very good in talking, but when it comes to action, they just show how out of touch and how little they actually value women. 

Maybe it is time for these Beth Din's to actually start getting more women involved in the structure of these organisations?  Then we should get religious bodies that represent not just the members of the community, but will also be working for the best interests of the community.

Don't call me rabbi

What do you call your rabbi?  Rabbi So and So, maybe even a So and So rabbi?  But whatever you call him (or her for our more liberal readers), do you think it is a bit stuffy in terms of addressing them. Many people do including rabbis themselves.

This in through Ynetnews via Detroit Jews News:

Nowadays, rabbis are taking positions both inside and outside the synagogue, working as educators, with youth groups and in Jewish agencies. Many are becoming more hands-on and available to their communities in new ways - and sometimes doing what once would have been unheard of.

One of the most noticeable changes is in the use of less formal titles.

“I’m an informal guy,” said Rabbi Arnie Sleutelberg, whose formal title is Rabbi Arnie. “A lot of people just call me Arnie. I think people feel closer to me when we’re on a first-name basis.”

Another rabbi offers this:

“For me, the title is situational,” said Rabbi Daniel Nevins of Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills, Michigan. “There are times when I would be uncomfortable being referred to without my title and times when I’d be unhappy with the title. Most rabbis of my generation struggle with this issue, and there is no uniform standard, in my mind.”

Personally, I find first name approaches work better. Sure, there are times when you need to keep things formal (like at a wedding or barmitzvah), but why be all stuffy when you don't need to be.  If a rabbi is happy to address you by your first name, then why not address them by their first name?

If we can call other leaders are on first name terms such as Tony, the prime minister of Britain and Ariel, the prime minister of Israel, then we should be able to call our rabbis by their first name too.

With declining synagogue membership and less people feeling they need to actually belong to a shul to be "Jewish", rabbis dropping some of the traditional formalities is a good way to try and reconnect with people on an everyday to day basis.

After all, being less formal is often a better way to connect with people on their level.

Are we starting to get too paranoid?

Are British Jews starting to worry a bit too much about "attacks on the community"?  Does the amount of thought being given by some commentators actually whip up a belief that the Jewish community are being singled out by those who wish to cause violence towards it?

While there is no doubt that anti-semitism exists and that attacks on the community exist, why are some individuals constantly focused on the "Islamic" or "Neo-Nazi" threat. Are we as a community any more of a target than say the Sikh or Hindu community?

The excellent British Asian blog Picked Politics picks up on some comments that Melanie Phillips has made yet again when she listened to a Radio 4 programme that looked at the work of the Community Security Trust.

A rabbi working in the community raised the point that he himself saw no huge rise in anti-Jewish feelings that somehow seemed to cause offence to Phillips.

A rabbi called Gluck who was involved in Jewish-Muslim dialogue and -- surprise surprise -- saw no evidence of anti-Jewish feeling whatsoever.

Of course there will be those Jews who feel that something is happening around them and may even produce evidence, likewise there will also be Jews who feel it is not as bad as some folks think it is and oddly enough may even want it to be that way for their own political or personal motives.

The point is for many Jews they are not coming into contact with any form of anti-semitism but for others they may well be.  But we need to be careful about how we label "anti-semitism".

So what is wrong with the feelings this rabbi expressed?  None, that is what he feels, just like how Phillips feels everything is going pear shape.

Phillips does have some valid points in her piece as well. Describing the programme  as

This is the first time the story has been told of British Judaism’s “private volunteer army” – its security operations, training, intelligence-gathering and influential (hyped and hysterical, critics say) reports on anti-semitism.

It is a bit odd calling it a "private volunteer army".  Using a word like army in this context is a bit off and can play into the hands of those who wish to denounce anything the Jewish community is doing.

The Community Security Trust does provide a valuable service to the Jewish community but to make it sound like some secret undercover operation smacks of some sort of Elders of Zion plot going on.

I didn't listen to the programme as I missed it, so I'm using third hand information but when you view the description given of the programme by the makers themselves, you have to question how objective the programme really was.

But Phillips just lets herself down and to a certain extent the Jewish community. She concludes:

I have said it before, and here it is again: Britain’s Jews – including those who, in tragic repetition of history, refuse to see it – are under siege.

I fail to see how Britain's Jews are under siege.  Most of the problems we face are not so much of "them" against "us" or how "they" hate "us", but it is to do with our internal conflicts and how our so-called "leaders" many of whom are unelected are allowed to decide things in the best interests of the community without actually speaking to people on a day to day basis.

There are plenty of Jews who get along with other sections of the community and indeed, there are plenty of people who are getting along with Jews.  There is also a small minority who just hate us.

Phillips is great at raising her voice and expressing herself, but I'm also a bit worried for her. All this hatred she seems to have for others that also seem to have for her is not good.

I wonder where she sometimes gets her "facts" from when it comes to how bad the country is for Jews and if things are really that bad, isn't it time she stopped writing about things and rolled up her sleeves and actually did some work inside of the community?

Then she might see for herself what is going on, rather than assuming it is all bad. And if things weren't bad, what else would she be able to write about?

All the money Phillips makes out of her writing, how much of that is ploughed back into supporting the community? You see, sometimes, writing about the bad things is quite lucrative that you will keep on doing it because it pays well.

We need people like Phillips, if only to show the world that not all Jews are like this.

Neturei Karta shul attacked

A synagogue in Stamford Hill, north London which belongs to the ultra-orthodox and anti-Zionist  Neturei Karta sect has been attacked and vandalised.

The group which has a global following is known for his staunch anti-Israel views and regularly burns Israeli flags as part of its organised protests.

The Hackney Gazette reports:

An orthodox Jewish synagogue in Stamford Hill has been attacked and vandalised - not by anti-semetic thugs, but by fellow Jews who regard its leaders' outspoken condemnation of Israel as a betrayal.

Wikipedia explains all about the Neturei Karta:

Neturei Karta (Aramaic: "Guardians of the City") is a group of Haredi (Ultra-Orthodox) Jews who reject all forms of Zionism and actively oppose the State of Israel.

Adherents of Neturei Karta stress those portions in rabbinic literature which state that the Jewish people were first sent into exile from the land of Israel for their sins. Additionally, they maintain that any form of forceful recapture of Israel is a violation of divine will (Babylonian Talmud, tractate Ketuboth 111).

Leaders of the movement hold that the Holocaust was divine punishment for the Jewish people's sin, namely Zionism. In their view, Zionism is a presumptuous affront against God; Neturei Karta teaches that Jews must wait for God to end the exile of the Jews, and that human attempts to do so are sinful. Their websites claims that the Zionists deliberately condemned thousands of Jews to die in Nazi gas chambers, rather than allow them to emigrate to destinations other than Palestine, in order for the Zionists to claim a Zionist State.

They hold that the mass media deliberately downplays their viewpoint and makes them out to be just a few, while there are a large number of Jews with the same or similar beliefs.

They believe that the true Israel can only be reestablished with the coming of the Messiah.

Are Jews really prosperous or still deprived?

On Monday, Trevor Phillips the chair of the Commission for Racial Equality gave a speech at the Conservative Party Conference Muslim Forum in Blackpool.

Speaking to delegates, under the theme:

"We need a highway code for the multiethnic society"

he said:

"Today, globalisation means that the rules of multi-ethnic Britain are under constant challenge as we encounter new cultures and our own culture changes. We need a modern highway code for multi-ethnic Britain, our unwritten handbook for getting on with each other.

But what caught my eye was this:

"Jews took more than a century to get here in numbers; East African Asians took days. Both groups are prosperous and integrated."

Please Trevor, I thought you would be the last person to look through rose tinted glasses.

When you say Jews are prosperous and integrated, what are you referring to?  Sure many Jews have done well for themselves, but many of them have also not done too well either. They are not well off and have to count every penny.

When you say prosperous are you referring to just finance? Because if we look at the Jewish community today, we are very poor when it comes to culture and media.

How much Jewish culture is heard on the radio or seen on TV? When was the last time anyone saw a Jewish character on TV?  Why is BBC Manchester the only BBC radio station that has a Jewish programme (albeit only 30 minutes a week to represent the community)?  The community does not even have its own dedicated radio station or even a national magazine. 

We seem unable to organise a regular annual arts festival embracing all form of arts. Far from prosperous, we are truly deprived. When was the last time you saw a national or even local event that was picked up by the media that showed a celebration of Jewish culture? 

So Trevor when it comes to arts and culture we are badly off, something that needs to be rectified.

Of course, much of the deprivation of our culture comes from within, from our own people and organisations who fail to support initiatives.

But yes, there are some major success stories but we should not just look at the top level, we need to delve below this and look at the grass roots Jewish community.

We also need to look at the internal conflict within the community that without realising it, is destroying it. When an orthodox rabbi is willing to shake the hand of say a catholic priest but not that of a reform rabbi, you know there is a problem. If Jews talk of interfaith dialogue, but fail to maintain it within their own community, then that is a major issue to resolve.

And are we integrated?  Possibly yes, but how is he measuring that? We are generally not discriminated as we used to be for jobs and other social needs, but there is still plenty of ignorance in terms of how people understand and perceive Jews.