Comments on: The Chief Rabbi, Reform Judaism, and the Holocaust http://ajcwire.org/2007/04/26/the-chief-rabbi-reform-judaism-and-the-holocaust/ blog of the American Jewish Committee. Articles on Jewish life, current events, and Israel. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:10:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Lucinda Grimes http://ajcwire.org/2007/04/26/the-chief-rabbi-reform-judaism-and-the-holocaust/#comment-10898 Lucinda Grimes Thu, 13 Nov 2008 01:12:28 +0000 http://ajcblog.org/2007/04/26/the-chief-rabbi-reform-judaism-and-the-holocaust/#comment-10898 y7jfsxcnv6bzsa5q y7jfsxcnv6bzsa5q

]]> By: Gary Sachs http://ajcwire.org/2007/04/26/the-chief-rabbi-reform-judaism-and-the-holocaust/#comment-6904 Gary Sachs Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:50:58 +0000 http://ajcblog.org/2007/04/26/the-chief-rabbi-reform-judaism-and-the-holocaust/#comment-6904 Why do reform Jews reject Orthodox Jewish Teachings? How confusing for your fellow Jew. When I lost faith in everthing, Orthodox Judaism provided the answers for me. They were accurate and true. The teachings link to G-d. Does Reform Judaism make a similar claim. You cannot pull the wool over the eyes of someone who can feel true spirituality! You surely have taken Hashem's ultimate healing tool for the Soul and twisted it. I tried everything else. Orthodox Judaism is a Spiritual Teaching. What is reform Judaism? What is it? An excuse to make choices outside of G-d's reality and not feel bad? Do you not feel that you are creating a Chilul Hashem (ie a vacuum of G-d's presence)? Does G-d approve of Reform Judaism? Are your leaders Spiritual? What is Reform Judaism all about? DO you believe in the Moshiach? Hashem's ultimate dream? When exactly did G-d's dream change according to reform Judaism? Is orthodox Judaism too hard? Hashem is infinitely tolerant of sin. It doesn't get any easier than that. Why cant you stay on the true ladder and travel up and down it? Why create a new one. Orthodox Judaism makes sense once you get the hang of it. Why fragment it into Orthodox and Reform. There is no such thing. It is Judaism and it links to the one true G-d of this place. How can you argue with that? How? Why do reform Jews reject Orthodox Jewish Teachings? How confusing for your fellow Jew. When I lost faith in everthing, Orthodox Judaism provided the answers for me. They were accurate and true. The teachings link to G-d. Does Reform Judaism make a similar claim. You cannot pull the wool over the eyes of someone who can feel true spirituality! You surely have taken Hashem’s ultimate healing tool for the Soul and twisted it. I tried everything else. Orthodox Judaism is a Spiritual Teaching. What is reform Judaism? What is it? An excuse to make choices outside of G-d’s reality and not feel bad? Do you not feel that you are creating a Chilul Hashem (ie a vacuum of G-d’s presence)? Does G-d approve of Reform Judaism? Are your leaders Spiritual? What is Reform Judaism all about? DO you believe in the Moshiach? Hashem’s ultimate dream? When exactly did G-d’s dream change according to reform Judaism? Is orthodox Judaism too hard? Hashem is infinitely tolerant of sin. It doesn’t get any easier than that. Why cant you stay on the true ladder and travel up and down it? Why create a new one. Orthodox Judaism makes sense once you get the hang of it. Why fragment it into Orthodox and Reform. There is no such thing. It is Judaism and it links to the one true G-d of this place. How can you argue with that? How?

]]> By: xuafdzvrj xpbuialkv http://ajcwire.org/2007/04/26/the-chief-rabbi-reform-judaism-and-the-holocaust/#comment-4591 xuafdzvrj xpbuialkv Fri, 20 Jun 2008 07:08:47 +0000 http://ajcblog.org/2007/04/26/the-chief-rabbi-reform-judaism-and-the-holocaust/#comment-4591 hiyudb bxitfevwu dqncygh oitpvmhex xuakdi gaoikb woinbgar hiyudb bxitfevwu dqncygh oitpvmhex xuakdi gaoikb woinbgar

]]> By: J http://ajcwire.org/2007/04/26/the-chief-rabbi-reform-judaism-and-the-holocaust/#comment-344 J Tue, 19 Jun 2007 02:19:35 +0000 http://ajcblog.org/2007/04/26/the-chief-rabbi-reform-judaism-and-the-holocaust/#comment-344 I don't believe that the Holocaust resulted from the creation and practice of Reform Judaism, as some people claim. Nor do I believe that it was only the Holocaust that gave rise to, or is rationale for, the need and call for a Jewish homeland (one wishes this were the only persecutory event we suffered). But for those who do believe such claims, does that suggest that we all (including the Chief Rabbi) can thank Reform Judaism for the creation of the State of Israel and for the in-gathering and aliyot of the Jewish people to Tsiyon (Zion)? I don’t believe that the Holocaust resulted from the creation and practice of Reform Judaism, as some people claim. Nor do I believe that it was only the Holocaust that gave rise to, or is rationale for, the need and call for a Jewish homeland (one wishes this were the only persecutory event we suffered). But for those who do believe such claims, does that suggest that we all (including the Chief Rabbi) can thank Reform Judaism for the creation of the State of Israel and for the in-gathering and aliyot of the Jewish people to Tsiyon (Zion)?

]]> By: Marvin Kronenberg http://ajcwire.org/2007/04/26/the-chief-rabbi-reform-judaism-and-the-holocaust/#comment-343 Marvin Kronenberg Sat, 05 May 2007 10:52:21 +0000 http://ajcblog.org/2007/04/26/the-chief-rabbi-reform-judaism-and-the-holocaust/#comment-343 After the Holocaust and other horrible things that have happened to innocent people, especially children, I find that I no longer believe in a devine being that intercedes in human affairs. To blame reformed Jews or other non-orthodox persons for what some orthodox Jews regard as sins that caused the Holocaust is rediculous. After the Holocaust and other horrible things that have happened to innocent people, especially children, I find that I no longer believe in a devine being that intercedes in human affairs. To blame reformed Jews or other non-orthodox persons for what some orthodox Jews regard as sins that caused the Holocaust is rediculous.

]]> By: Jay Scott http://ajcwire.org/2007/04/26/the-chief-rabbi-reform-judaism-and-the-holocaust/#comment-342 Jay Scott Sun, 29 Apr 2007 17:30:37 +0000 http://ajcblog.org/2007/04/26/the-chief-rabbi-reform-judaism-and-the-holocaust/#comment-342 Eugene Kravis makes a really significant point: in the 30's, Physics was called "the Jewish Science." The vast majority of the most important participants in the Manhattan Project were Jews who fled Europe, especially Germany and Italy, but other countries too. But, I find these discussions so very sad for so many reasons: 1- As Kravis makes plain, there are so many factors interacting in history that it's just stupidity and arrogance when people try to say anything terribly meaningful about "reasons" or "causes," as if their sad excuse for intelligence is even remotely capable of comprehension. (The intelligent ones in such a discussion are easy to pick out: they're the ones not trying to read God's mind.) 2- As Sherman and Schwartz and Schneier (and the lack of anyone forcefully calling them on it) make plain, there is just so much tolerance of intolerance when the intolerance is directed towards "the Right," the hypocrisy is truly pathetic. It reminds me of all the "Gun Control" advocates arrested in recent years on weapons charges. 3- They illustrate in far more detail than is healthy the opinion expressed by the Rabbi of the largest Reform temple in [the large city where I live], explaining why he was inviting an Orthodox rabbi to speak to his congregation: "they should see that Orthodox people can be "normal" and reasonable; they (his Reform flock) are so filled with self-loathing that they transfer it to the Orthodox, and demonize them, as well as themselves." (His words; I would never state it so strongly on my own.) Have a good time, but don't expect this discussion to generate more light than heat. *sigh* Eugene Kravis makes a really significant point: in the 30’s, Physics was called “the Jewish Science.” The vast majority of the most important participants in the Manhattan Project were Jews who fled Europe, especially Germany and Italy, but other countries too.

But, I find these discussions so very sad for so many reasons:

1- As Kravis makes plain, there are so many factors interacting in history that it’s just stupidity and arrogance when people try to say anything terribly meaningful about “reasons” or “causes,” as if their sad excuse for intelligence is even remotely capable of comprehension. (The intelligent ones in such a discussion are easy to pick out: they’re the ones not trying to read God’s mind.)

2- As Sherman and Schwartz and Schneier (and the lack of anyone forcefully calling them on it) make plain, there is just so much tolerance of intolerance when the intolerance is directed towards “the Right,” the hypocrisy is truly pathetic. It reminds me of all the “Gun Control” advocates arrested in recent years on weapons charges.

3- They illustrate in far more detail than is healthy the opinion expressed by the Rabbi of the largest Reform temple in [the large city where I live], explaining why he was inviting an Orthodox rabbi to speak to his congregation: “they should see that Orthodox people can be “normal” and reasonable; they (his Reform flock) are so filled with self-loathing that they transfer it to the Orthodox, and demonize them, as well as themselves.” (His words; I would never state it so strongly on my own.)

Have a good time, but don’t expect this discussion to generate more light than heat.

*sigh*

]]> By: Dr. Joe Wagner http://ajcwire.org/2007/04/26/the-chief-rabbi-reform-judaism-and-the-holocaust/#comment-330 Dr. Joe Wagner Sun, 29 Apr 2007 05:09:14 +0000 http://ajcblog.org/2007/04/26/the-chief-rabbi-reform-judaism-and-the-holocaust/#comment-330 These pious rabbis, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell and others who have a direct pipeline to G-D are false prophets. G-D has not spoken to them. He has spoken to me. He told me, "They are nuts." These pious rabbis, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell and others who have a direct pipeline to G-D are false prophets. G-D has not spoken to them. He has spoken to me. He told me, “They are nuts.”

]]> By: Muriel Goldhammer http://ajcwire.org/2007/04/26/the-chief-rabbi-reform-judaism-and-the-holocaust/#comment-329 Muriel Goldhammer Sat, 28 Apr 2007 10:02:30 +0000 http://ajcblog.org/2007/04/26/the-chief-rabbi-reform-judaism-and-the-holocaust/#comment-329 Ronald Schwart asks a series of questions, among them, "Why hasn't the Masorti movement been more successful in Israel." The answer seems to be, among Israel's majority of secular Jews, "The shul we don't go to is Orthodox." This is true to the extent that many secular Israelis will not even extend themselves to attend a Bar or Bat Mitzvah at my Bet Knesset, Hod VeHadar, Masorti, in Kfar Sava, the town neighboring Hod VeSharon. They will attend the party but not the ceremony. A native born Israeli friend complained to me a few days ago that there is no place for him to find a spriritual home. I had invited him to attend Hod VeHadar several times, but he says it is too far away. Why, he wants to know, do we not have more outreach programs. Good question. But where is the money coming from? Kfar Sava, Israel Ronald Schwart asks a series of questions, among them, “Why hasn’t the Masorti movement been more successful in Israel.”

The answer seems to be, among Israel’s majority of secular Jews, “The shul we don’t go to is Orthodox.” This is true to the extent that many secular Israelis will not even extend themselves to attend a Bar or Bat Mitzvah at my Bet Knesset, Hod VeHadar, Masorti, in Kfar Sava, the town neighboring Hod VeSharon. They will attend the party but not the ceremony.

A native born Israeli friend complained to me a few days ago that there is no place for him to find a spriritual home. I had invited him to attend Hod VeHadar several times, but he says it is too far away. Why, he wants to know, do we not have more outreach programs.

Good question. But where is the money coming from?

Kfar Sava, Israel

]]> By: Heinz Schneier http://ajcwire.org/2007/04/26/the-chief-rabbi-reform-judaism-and-the-holocaust/#comment-328 Heinz Schneier Sat, 28 Apr 2007 08:57:03 +0000 http://ajcblog.org/2007/04/26/the-chief-rabbi-reform-judaism-and-the-holocaust/#comment-328 Dear Sir, 1) the Jewish tradition of self accusation – based upon the religious the tradition of questioning the own behaviour , has proven to be one of the disasters in Jewish history: Although it might advantageous for one’s career, to challenge one’s own achievements, this it is impossible to grasp for believers of proselytizing religions like Christianity or Islam,who consider such self accusations as confession statements. 2) Knowing what happened in the Shoa, statements like the ones of the Rabbi Eliahu are despicable to the extreme an I deplore the absence of adequate reactions and the lack of courage of modern orthodox circles to such abnormities to the extreme. But this is definitely no justification for the missionary activities of reformed groups among Jewish immigrants from the former Soviet Union – who are completely unaware of any Jewish religious traditions - within Israel and the Jewish community in Germany One can not blame those Jews who are born into a reformed Jewish family in the US for adhering to the religious traditions in which they have been brought up. But the demographic development of the Jewish community in the US since the end of the World War is blatant proof that Reformed Judaism is today what it has been since it’s inception, namely in in-between between Judaism an baptism. Respectfully yours Heinz Schneier Munich / Germany Dear Sir,

1) the Jewish tradition of self accusation – based upon the
religious the tradition of questioning the own behaviour ,
has proven to be one of the disasters in Jewish history:
Although it might advantageous for one’s career, to challenge one’s own achievements, this it is impossible to grasp for believers of proselytizing religions like Christianity or Islam,who consider such self accusations as confession statements.

2) Knowing what happened in the Shoa, statements like the ones of the Rabbi Eliahu are despicable to the extreme an I deplore the absence of adequate reactions and the lack of courage of modern orthodox circles to such abnormities to the extreme.

But this is definitely no justification for the missionary
activities of reformed groups among Jewish immigrants
from the former Soviet Union – who are completely unaware
of any Jewish religious traditions - within Israel and the Jewish community in Germany

One can not blame those Jews who are born into a reformed Jewish family in the US for adhering to the religious traditions in which they have been brought up. But the demographic development of the Jewish community in the US since the end of the World War is blatant proof that Reformed Judaism is today what it has been since it’s inception, namely in in-between between Judaism an baptism.

Respectfully yours
Heinz Schneier
Munich / Germany

]]> By: Eugene Kravis http://ajcwire.org/2007/04/26/the-chief-rabbi-reform-judaism-and-the-holocaust/#comment-327 Eugene Kravis Sat, 28 Apr 2007 04:35:50 +0000 http://ajcblog.org/2007/04/26/the-chief-rabbi-reform-judaism-and-the-holocaust/#comment-327 How can one believe in G-d after the Holocaust? Try this: Did the Master of the Universe use his chosen people and the horrible, murderous anti semitism to stop Hitler from destroying the civilized world? The most advanced thinkers (Einstein, etc.) left Europe. We got the Bomb, not Hitler\! How can one believe in G-d after the Holocaust? Try this: Did the Master of the Universe use his chosen people and the horrible, murderous anti semitism to stop Hitler from destroying the civilized world? The most advanced thinkers (Einstein, etc.) left Europe. We got the Bomb, not Hitler\!

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