JTA: The Global News Service of the Jewish People

02/29/08 11:28 AM

within a few decades hundreds of conservative shuls will close down due to lack of interest and lack of membes. the head of the jewish theological cemetery is trying to feminize and homosexualize the conservative rabbinate, this scheme either was originated in the kremlin or the kremlin wish they had originated it.

02/29/08 11:32 AM

Actually Tzvi, what Dr. Eisen is trying to do is get these distractions out of the way and deal with the bigger issues. In another generation—15-20 years—the critical mass of non-Orthodox Jews who don’t really care about the issues of homosexuality and feminism (meaning they accept them) will be larger than those who do (which skews older).

Since Orthodox and non-Orthodox will never agree on these issues, for reasons I totally understand, let’s just agree to disagree and get on with the real task of inspiring Jews to celebrate Shabbat and Torah study.

Remember my friend, unity is not uniformity.

And, of course, Shabbat Shalom.

02/29/08 05:37 PM

Tzvi, I hope you’re proud of yourself for promoting the myth that Orthodox Jews are all bigoted close-minded freaks.  Now that’s the way to inspire our fellow Jews!  Great work.

02/29/08 09:24 PM

Shabbat Shalom!

More than ever, the issue core lies in the fact that those of us who are dedicated to Humanity have not done enough for the War on Ignorance a prevailing factor for the entire human kind society and especially those running away from so-called prophets. 

Yes, we need to unite and demand of the plitical leaders to do the same and not hide behind their so-calle political or religious parties,
for otherwise we’re going to lose the Youth and forthcoming generations to the conondrum of dilemmas. One of which is that there arae more and more deatisfied Christians who want to convert to Judasim or Budhism or even Hinduism only to get away from organized corporate-like religion milking the poor for donations only to build more golden domes.

Absolute truth and ethics should be part of the strategic educational efforts way beyond of the disaster that Bush and others have brought upon us lately. True, new orientations are in order, but anyway one looks at it “Dead Logic Deadens the Enemy” so-to-speak!

03/02/08 03:14 AM

I am on Tzvi side. I emigrated from FSU and my Judaism grew up for many years in Conservative synagogue with very nice people. After disastrous decision about homosectuality I quit Conservative movement forever. Because I felt intuitively that with this compromise I would loose meaning of my believes.

That’s what, I think, happening with those who made compromises. There is only one Torah and one Judaisms, for mjdifications should be used other names.
What Concerned seems does not understand that he can’t get on or around these issues. That’s how miracuolously ways of G-d work.
America-born Jews need to analyze their past century experience and understand laws that brought them up and then down to their current poor situation. And then take corrective actions by those who want to survive as a Jew.

03/02/08 08:46 PM

Yonatan, there is only one Torah, but millions of ways to interpret it. That’s why we have commentators. Conservative Judaism just offers a different interpretation. I’m glad you still have a spiritual home in Judaism, but please don’t disparage others along the way.

I don’t absolutely understand what G-d wants and am scared of people who think they do—because it means that they believe they can approach a true understanding of G-d, which is impossible.

03/03/08 03:30 PM

If I ever looked for a blue ribbon example of Lashon ha Ra it is in the previous poster’s comment about Dr. Eisen’s family--whether or not it is true (I have no idea, and it isn’t my business, or anyone else’s).

I am disappointed that personal attacks, particularly characterizing uninvolved third parties, are permitted among the posts.  Perhaps the poster would like to consider the consequences of a libel lawsuit, if the punishment for Lashon ha Ra is not quickly exacted.

03/04/08 11:50 AM

I agree to an extent with Tzvi. The conservative movement is an assimiliation movement designed to help Jews transition from Judaism to Christianity. The bar/bat mitzva factories run by conservatives have turned off huge amounts of Jews to Judaism. The shuls are devoid of young Jews on Shabbat. Making conservative Judaism more politically liberal will not stop Jews from assimiliating, on the contrary more Jews will end up leaving Judaism whether they realise ths now or not.

03/04/08 02:20 PM

The Conservative synagogues with which I’m acquainted in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions are vibrant and striving to meet the needs and interests of their members at various stages of life.  The statement that “The conservative movement is an assimilation movement designed to help Jews transition from Judaism and Christianity suggests intent, if not conspiracy.  It would be helpful to know what experiences Ellen has had that led her to these statements.  To what cities or parts of the country does she refer?  What empirical evidence can she provide?

03/04/08 07:12 PM

Noach
first you attacked Tzvi now you put on an intellectual air to critique me.
The facts are over 50% of conservative Jews intermarry.
Fact huge numbers of conservative youngsters joined various mind control cults from the moonies to the hail bop comet nuts.
Fact many conservative ‘rabbis’ belong to what is in my opinion having read the website a neo nazi hamas front group called rabbis for human rights.
Fact several conservative temples within an hours drive from Mr Eisens office have shut their doors in the past 2 yrs and many more especially in Hudson county NJ will shut their doors this yr if Orthodox Jews dont take them over and reinvigerate the areas.
Fact a solomon shechter school in NJ went out of business as did a schecter school in Eisens backyard of manhattan.
Fact conservatives would rather spread their poison in israel and ruin Judaism there than use outreach in the usa and increase membership.
To say conservative synagogues are vibrant is a joke. Walking into a conservative synagogue is like walking into anold age home.
PS to see how conservatives are doing ask them how many bar/bat mitzvahs they had last yr compared to 30 yrs ago.
Conservative judaism is going the way of the dinosaurs!
and I say SHALOM!