JTA: The Global News Service of the Jewish People

03/04/08 08:14 PM

Ellen, does it make you fee better to critique conservative Judaism this way?  Do you feel good about bashing other Jewish groups?  Perhaps you can find a place to bash reform, reconstructionist..and while you’re at it lets look for some other groups you are NOT a part of and bash them. 
I for one (and yes, I’m one of the rabbis you rail against) do not want to spend my time finding ways to prove why any Jewish group is failing.  No, I’m too busy because my conservative shul is growing at over 10% per year (no, we’re not in the northeast), torah classes are packed, children are learning in a growing day school and we literally cannot keep up with the growth. Yes, we also have many older persons but it sounds like you don’t value elders and my understanding of Torah tells me that I should honor those who have lived long years.  No, I am not interested in finding fault with any movement because I’m much more interested in teaching mitzvot, observance, davening, and other Jewish values for those who are willing to come and learn.  Thats what we Conservative rabbis do.
I pray you will turn your passion from criticism to passoion for Torah from whatever shul/movement/rabbi that you find meaningful.  I believe you will find it much more satisfying.

03/04/08 08:38 PM

Ellen,

Other than your dubious remarks that suggested an intent of the Conservative movement to facilitate Jews becoming Christians--and which you have not supported--your situation may be different than

“over 50% of conservative Jews intermarry.” What is the source of those statistics?  Of the intermarriages, how many non-Jewish partners become Jewish?

“huge numbers of conservative youngsters joined various mind control cults from the moonies to the ‘hail (sic) bop comet nuts.” What constitutes “huge numbers?” What is the source of numbers that you call “huge?”

“many conservative ‘’’’rabbis’” belong to WHAT IS IN MY OPINION (emphasis supplied) having read the website a neo nazi hamas front group called rabbis for human rights (sic)” Your “fact” is undermined by what you admit to be your opinion.  Have the ADL, either of the AJCs, World Jewish Congress, or AIPAC condemned or described Rabbis for Human Rights in terms similar to yours?  Condemn the group, if you like, for being on the “left,” while you, rather obviously are on the “right.”

“several conservative temples within an hours drive from Mr Eisens (sic) 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 (sic) take them over and reinvigerate (sic) the areas.”

First, it would be a matter of courtesy to properly identify Dr. Eisen.  Second, the closing of the synagogues may point to nothing more than their members have moved to other areas for more attractive amenities.

“a solomon shechter (sic) school in NJ went out of business as did a schecter school in Eisens (sic) backyard of manhattan (sic).”

All this does is point to difficulties--demographic and/or operational-- experienced by two schools.  Nothing similar has happened to an Orthodox or Refom school?  Assuming it did, would you agree that this was a sign of the imminent disappearance of the Orthodox or Reform?

“conservatives (sic) would rather spread their poison in israel sic) and ruin Judaism there than use outreach in the usa (sic) and increase membership.” Now you’re talking about theological disagreements, and reflecting poorly on whatever group you think is superior by your language.  Does the term “sinat chinam” look familiar to you?  Alternatively, “sinas chinam,” caused the destruction of the Temples.  Are you helping to rebuild the Temple by your language?

“To say conservative (sic) synagogues are vibrant is a joke.” Sinas chinam.

“Walking into a conservative synagogue is like walking into anold (sic) age home.”

Where?  In small towns or older sections of urban areas have you only seen the elderly in Conservative synagogues?  Never Orthodox or Reform? 

“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!”

You haven’t identified the areas where Conservative congregations are shrinking.  As for Bat MItzvahs, originating in Reconstruction congregations, now you’ll find them in Orthodox congregations.  Were it not for Reconstructionist and Conservative Jews, your gender would have less of a role in religious life.

Your ‘SHALOM!’” is l’klallah, vi lo l’vracha.  What a shame.

May you devote your intellect and energies into building the Judaism that you find valuable, rather than tearing down those with whom you disagree.

03/05/08 11:43 AM

David and Noach,
I will attempt to refute your comments and provide proof of my being correct.
as far as a 50% intermarriage rate. ALL Jewish groups admit to this. arguing over the 50% is a waste of time. it is like reinventing the wheel.
how many non-jews convert to judaism in an intermarriage. you have no idea what a great queation you asked. in fact about 20 yrs ago the mainstream ‘jewish’ orgs put out blatant lies stating that most intermarriages result in the goy becomming jewish. this may have been intended to trick future intermarrieds into becomming jewish BUT it had the opposite effect. in fact the overwhelming majority of intermarried jews do not raise their kids jewish. the jewish establishment in effect ran a disinformation campaign which did terrible harm to the jewish people.
you ask how many american jews joined cults. the numbers i have seen are about 100,000. a very interesting fact is how many cults have ties to foreign govts and why does the israeli controlled jewish establishment go along with this. for example the moonies are led by a former korean cia arms dealer. hare krishna by a pharmaceutical executive with ties to a foreign govt. etc. if the adl cared about jews why is it mute on this?
you ask about my opinion on rabbis for human rights and why the establishment does not criticize this group. i will answer a question with a question, why did not the jewish establishment complain about the holocaust while it was occurring yet these same groups have been whining about the holocaust non stop for the last 60 plus years? who knows what traitors run the jewish establishment?
once again to see the viability or future of a movement look at the birthrate of its members, conservative jews have less than 2 kids per couple, hardly a formula for increasing the tribe. when was the last time you heard a conservative rabbi say be fruitful and multiply to his/her congregation? probably never out of fear of alienating the birth control/abortion crowd.
you say your conservative shul is growing at 10% a yr is this from natural birthrate or from refugees from other parts of the country seeking warmer weather or lower housing prices?
saying that members moved from nj or ny and this is why shuls closed is not true. shuls closed because rabbis refuse to get off their asses and canvas door to door getting new members. i guess its easier for a rabbi to sit in an air conditioned office all day hoping the phone will ring and he/she can do a $400 funeral. the orthodox are growing in ny and nj even with their high rate of moving to israel. new yeshivas sprout up yearly. to say the conservative movement cant sustain a shechter school in manhattan is a shonda and arnie eisen should be ashamed.
CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM CANNOT SOLVE ITS PROBLEMS IF IT CONTINUES TO SWEEP THEM UNDER THE RUG AND ATTACK MESSENGERS LIKE ME RATHER THAN FIXING THE PROBLEM.