FailedMessiah.com

UPDATED: Leading Modern Orthodox Rabbi Says Gays No Worse Than Jews Who Don’t Keep Shabbos, Attacks Orthodox And Haredi Homophobia As Cruel

Rabbi Dr. Aharon Lichtenstein – the son-in-law of the late leader of Modern Orthodoxy Rabbi Joseph Ber Solevechik, who was the heir to leadership of the Brisker stream of of Orthodoxy, as well – has strongly ruled that homosexuals should not be condemned more than Sabbath desecrators or thieves.

In A First For Israel, State Rabbinic Court Denies Woman Alimony Based On Alleged Lesbian Affair

Lesbian relationships are forbidden under Jewish law but generally bear no punishment and are not viewed as severe violations, unlike homosexual sex or heterosexual marital infidelity, which both carry severe punishments. Even so, the rabbis equated the purported affair with heterosexual infidelity, which carries the biblical death penalty, forced the woman to accept a divorce and denied her alimony.

The Homophobic Chairman Of The Zionist Orthodox Habayit Hayehudi Political Party

Naftali Bennett is clearly homophobic – and he wants the Israel he hopes to lead to be homophobic, too.

Don’t Let Arabs Tutor Your Kids Because They Could Be Gay Or Pedophiles, Rabbi Ya'akov Yosef Rules

“If the teacher lives a perverted lifestyle, what is vernacularly called a homosexual, one must be very careful when studying with such a person…We are not concerned about this matter when it comes to two Jews, but in the case of non-Jewish homosexuals we must be concerned. Many times a father will want his son to learn to play the piano, or another instrument. Perhaps the only teacher available is an Arab, and the father hires him as a private tutor. But we suspect them of this kind of behavior and we cannot endanger our children in this manner."

Video: Y-Love Releases Pro-LGBT Video – In Yiddish

"Since coming out this May, one of the major things that I have felt is an overwhelming sense of wanting to give back to the LGBT community in general and the Jewish LGBT community in particular. Spending most of my career in the closet, I never used my platform to speak against heterosexism and homophobia — the same homophobia I was suffering from — and never gave my efforts to the struggle for equality. 2012 changes all that, and I’m trying to put as much of my effort and influence into the LGBT struggle for equality as I can."

Haredi Rabbis Want Army To Stop Asking Haredi Yeshiva Students If They're Gay

"A friend of mine walked into the dining hall and asked as what does 'gay' mean. He's a righteous person and he really didn't know what it means. He went to the yeshiva head and told him how they had laughed at him at the draft office. When he asked to be examined by a man instead of a woman, they asked, 'Why, are you gay?'

Jewish 'We'll Make You Straight' Conversion Therapy Group Sued For Deceptive Claims

Four gay men and two of their mothers filed a lawsuit today against Jews Offering New Alternatives to Healing (JONAH), a New Jersey conversion therapy group that claims to rid men of same-sex attractions and turn them straight. JONAH's therapy is often recommended by haredi and Orthodox rabbis.

5,600 Join Organization For Orthodox And Haredi Homosexuals

Approximately 5,600 religious homosexuals have joined the Hod organization since its establishment in 2008, according to figures presented by the organization in a special seminar held in collaboration with the Israel Psychological Association.

Secular Jewish School's Firing Of Openly Gay Principal Contested In Court

Joseph Gerassi, who is believed to have earned more than $300,000 a year as principal, is unlikely to find an equivalent job at another Jewish school because homosexuality is not condoned by sections of the Jewish community.

Once A Villain, Zionist Orthodox Rabbi Now Gets Unexpected Support From Gays, Lesbians

Rabbi Shay Piron, who was named to the second spot on secularist Yair Lapid's new political party Yesh Atid’s list, has received strong unexpected support from Israel’s LGBT community, even though the Zionist Orthodox rabbi once advocated for change therapy for homosexuals.

Rabbi Yehuda Levin Blames Hurricane Sandy On "Homosexual Agenda," Gay Marriage

"Remember when Dr. Falwell and Dr. Pat Robertson attributed 9/11 to the homosexual agenda and abortion? Guess our leaders have a huge problem doing that now. After all, the dirty secret they don't tell us is that Romney supports homosexual adoption and Boy Scout leaders, homosexualization of the military, "domestic partnerships"/civil unions, homosexual K-12 mandated school curricula, homosexual youth day proclamations, $50 taxpayer funded abortion in Massachusetts, and the list goes on."

Rabbis Jail Bi-Sexual Husband After Ten Years Of Get Refusal

The woman discovered that her husband was secretly having an affair – with a man. In fact, she didn’t just discover her husband was having an affair – she caught him red-handed in the act. And then she immediately filed for divorce. But the husband refused to give it to her.

Homosexuality And Orthodoxy

A public radio show interviews several gay Orthodox and haredi Jews and follows it up with a debate of sorts between Rabbi Meir Fund, who is haredi, and Rabbi Debra Kolody of Jewish Renewal. (Fund wipes the floor with Kolodny, who come off as a pompous ignoramus.) This is followed by a 'bonus' interview with an Orthodox lawyer who was a victim of childhood abuse. He took a case pro bono involving abuse, prostitution, and murder

Former Chabad Hasid Sues Judaica Store Heir Over Child Sexual Abuse

Chaim Levin, a gay activist who grew up in Crown Heights and who occasionally writes for FailedMessiah.com, filed a lawsuit against his cousin for allegedly sexually abusing him. Levin, a former Chabad hasid, alleges that the sexual abuse began when he was 6-years-old and continued on a weekly basis for three years.

Hasidic Rapper Comes Out As Gay

“I feel like I’ve wasted years of my life worrying that it would alienate the community I dedicated my life to as an artist and as a man. But my hope is that it will open their eyes—and hearts.”

Conservative Movement In Israel Approves Gay Rabbis

Israel's Masorti Movement has decided to approve the ordination of homosexual rabbis. The Schechter Rabbinical Seminary, affiliated with the movement, will admit gay and lesbian students for training as spiritual leaders this fall.

Haredi Posters Reported To Police

Posters promoting the 7 Laws of the Children of Noah post in Stamford Hill, London – presumably by Chabad followers – were reported to police as "homophobic."

Israel Psychological Association Says Sexual Orientation Therapy Can Hurt Patients – But Says It Still May Be Possible To Change Sexual Orientation Through Therapy

According to Orthodox rabbis, the important thing is the fact that the IPA believes a patient should be presented with the existing knowledge, which warns against reparative therapy, but that the possibility to change a person's sexual orientation should not be ruled out completely.

Rabbi Apologizes For Calling Homosexuality An Illness

Amsterdam's chief rabbi apologized for signing a declaration which described homosexuality as an illness.

Jewish Press Gets Threats Over Gay Article

Last week, the Jewish Press ran an op-ed from a homosexual who was born and raised in a hasidic household. The article did not endorse or encourage homsexuality. Instead, it talked about the damage done to individuals by what can only be called homophobic Orthodox and haredi Jews, some of them rabbis. That article was written as a response to an attack in the Jewish Press by a hasidic rabbi who objected to an anti-suicide video made by the author. Now supposedly Orthodox, haredi or hasidic Jews are threatening the Jewish Press and its advertisers for daring to print the gay Jew's response. "People can do Tshuva (repent) for many acts against Halacha, but what forgiveness can there be after pushing someone so far they would commit suicide?"

Gay, Orthodox, And Fed Up With Frum Homophobia And The "Torah Declaration"

"It confuses me that this Torah Declaration contains flawed arguments that would pass muster in the beis medrash. Saying that Hashem would never make a gay person unable to change is simplistic, inconsistent and flat-out wrong. If someone gets into an accident we would never say that we know he can be “cured” simply because his affliction is not genetic and he wasn’t born this way. We would never tell a deaf person (born deaf or not) that his nisayon is to find a way to hear again, so that he can be mekayem the mitzvah of shofar? Yet the Torah Declaration uses all of these arguments to make gay people feel that their nisayon in life is to change their sexuality, simply because it may not be genetic and Hashem would never make it unchangeable. This is the worst kind of rationalized homophobia."

Jewish Day School Students Taught How To "Cure" Homosexuals

As part of the school's Jewish studies curriculum, pupils are shown a website from JONAH - Jews Offering New Alternatives to Homosexuality. It promotes the idea that homosexuality can be "mitigated and potentially eliminated" and sends participants on retreats such as "Journey into Manhood". The JONAH website is introduced at the end of a lesson on homosexuality and the Orthodox viewpoint, with no opportunity for debate or discussion – and with no alternatives presented.

Amsterdam Chief Rabbi Suspended For Anti-Gay Stance

The chief rabbi of Amsterdam, Aryeh Ralbag, who is also the head of Triangle K kosher supervision, was temporarily relieved from his post today by the board of the Orthodox Jewish community, after he signed a document, the "Torah Declaration," describing homosexuality as an inclination which “can be modified and healed.”

Head Of International Network Of Orthodox Mental Health Professionals Removes His Name From 'We Can Cure Gays' Declaration

"…the parts [of the "Torah Declaration"] that imply all forms of homosexuality are absolutely treatable with our current knowledge base [do] not adequately convey the complex clinical dimensions of this matter.” In other words, Rabbi Simcha Feuerman of Nefesh signed a "Torah Declaration" that is based on junk science and that clearly seems to hurt some of the people who have tried it, and he belatedly realized that he could be sanctioned or even lose his license to practice because of it. So he removed hus signature.

Romney Denounced By More Than "850" Rabbis As A "Dangerous Homosexualist"

Rabbi Yehuda Levin and a handful of fellow travellers claim "850 plus rabbis" at a Hanukkah "conclave" – which was attended by a handful of rabbis, not dozens or hundreds – denounced Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney as a "dangerous homosexualist." Levin, who is the spokesperson for the failing haredi Rabbinical Alliance of America/Iggud Harabbonim also urged the Mormon church to "sanction" Romney for not being homophobic enough. Levin was Pat Buchanan's Jewish liaison when the hard right politician ran for president in the 1990s.

Haredi Rabbis Launch Secret Initiative To Oppose Orthodox Acceptance Of Gays

The initiative is endorsed by Agudath Israel of America's number two rabbi, Shmuel Kamenetzky and relies heavily on the false idea that all homosexuals can be "cured."

Hasidim Protest At Community College

Hasidim protested same sex marriage, promiscuity and high taxes at the Borough of Manhattan Community College.

Haredi Fringe Group Claims Molestation Of Boys Has "Surged" Since Same Sex Marriage Bill Passed In NY

JPAC wants men's mikvas to put up its anti-gay signs "The Jewish Political Action Committee is now organizing an awareness program to stop Gay molesters from attacking children and teens. Since the gay marriage bill in New York was introduced,there has been a surge of gay attacks against youngsters in New York." However, the vast majority of pedophiles who molest boys are not gay, and medical science has long since shown that. And there is no evidence whatsoever for JPAC's claim that attacks against boys have surged since same sex unions were legalized a few months ago.

Haredi Fringe Group Works Borough Park

The haredi fringe group JPAC puts its signs in sukkas in Borough Park.

It Only Gets Worse

Fringe haredi group: "SHAME ON WHITE LIBERALS WHO OPPOSE HUMANS WHO EAT MEAT YET SUPPORT THE MURDER OF BLACK BABIES THROUGH ABORTIONS."

Haredi Anti-Evolution, Anti-Gay Protesters

Haredi anti-evolution and anti-gay protesters staged another offensive demonstration on Manhattan's Upper West Side today.

A One Issue Vote Against Community Interests?

Today is the special election to fill Anthony Weiner's empty seat in the US Congress. A group of haredi rabbis is urging you to vote against one candidate – who is himself Orthodox – because they are upset with one vote he cast in the New York State Assembly. Is this the right thing to do?

Rabbis Withdraw Support For Gay-Lesbian Marriages – For Now

Senior Orthodox Zionist Rabbis Yaakov Ariel, Haim Drukman and Elyakim Levanon have withdrawn their support from a recent initiative seeking to match between religious homosexuals and lesbians until the religious and ethical aspects of the issue are clarified.

YouTube Pulls Rabbi's Video As Hate Speech

Rabbi Yehuda Levin's new video blaming yesterday's East Coast earthquake on the legalization of gay marriage in New York State is blocked by YouTube "as a violation of YouTube's policy prohibiting hate speech."

Leading Rabbi Comes Out Against Gay-Lesbian Marriages

A new Web initiative seeking to match religious homosexuals and lesbians has sparked a row in the religious world. Although it has gained the support of a series of dignified rabbis, not everyone is pleased. One leading rabbi opposes these marriages due to a lack of love between spouses. But he laso thinks a widely discredited therapy cures homosexuality.

Video: Orthodox Rabbi Marries Gay Men…To Lesbians

And now Rabbi Areleh Harel wants to take his unconventional matchmaking service to the Internet.

Jerusalem Gay Pride Parade Today

Jerusalem police are preparing a large security contingent for this year’s event. Over one thousand police officers, border police and volunteers will protect marchers as they make their way through Jerusalem. Activists are pushing for a hate-crimes bill that would make attacks against minorities, including homosexuals, a more serious crime.

Video: Neturei Karta Protests Gay Marriage

Williamsburg's all purpose demonstrators take on gay marriage.

Anti-Gay Marriage Protest

JPAC held a small protest near 3rd Avenue yesterday to protest the first same sex marriages done in New York State. Here's a picture…

A New Look At Homosexuality

Two secular Bible scholars try to explain the Torah in way that permits homosexuality.

Rabbis Protest Gay Singer

A homosexual's voice equals lewdness? Rabbis, right-wing activists and National Service girls are protesting a decision to invite singer a gay to perform at an event honoring Israel's National-Civilian Service volunteers. Some of them are even threatening to boycott the event. According to the protestors, the majority of the event's participants are religious girls, who are certain to be offended by having to listen to an open homosexual sing.

An Open Letter On Same-Sex Marriage From A Gay Orthodox Rabbi

"I am an Orthodox rabbi, ordained at Yeshiva University. I am also the first openly gay Orthodox rabbi in the U.S.…I share this with you so that my personal stake is made clear from the start. My partner and I cannot marry in New York state and the consequences are significant for us and our 7-month-old daughter, Amalia.

Did Gay Orthodox Jews Go Too Far?

Amid a sea of rainbow flags and equal-rights banners at Tel Aviv’s 18th annual Gay Pride parade, an unexpected soundtrack filled the air: hasidic music. Despite the suspicions of some marchers, it wasn’t an act of protest by Orthodox groups. Rather, the music was coming from a float designed by a group of Orthodox gay and lesbian Israelis. “Seven years ago, a gay or lesbian Orthodox person had three options — to stop being religious, to stay in the closet and within the religious community, or to commit suicide…" But rabbis – and a majority of gay Orthodox activists – think parade participation went too far.

Video: Satmar Hasid Spits On Lesbian Rabbi

Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah prompted a heated reaction from one of the Orthodox protesters by throwing an arm over his shoulder as she attempted to insert herself between Diaz and the cameras.

Gay Orthodox Jews: A Response To The Jewish Press

Jewish Press reporter and columnist Elliot Resnick said gays are selfish and "self-indulgent," as he criticized a former friend, who he called "Dovid," for coming out as gay. Now "Dovid" responds.

Jewish Press Reporter Argues Homosexuals Are "Self-Indulgent," Should Suffer In Silence

"But do [closeted homosexual] Jews complain? Do Catholic priests, the overwhelming majority of whom remain celibate their entire lives, complain? No. They wage their internal battles quietly, recognizing that not every topic need be discussed openly and not every feeling need be publicized and validated. Why, then, can't Orthodox homosexuals do the same? Why can't they struggle silently and heroically as do so many others?… But openly homosexual Orthodox Jews apparently care little about the very essence of what it means to be a servant of God and demand that everyone accept them as they are. Their needs, their wants, their desires are what matters."

Knesset Gay Pride Event Draws Ultra-Orthodox Ire

“They aren’t people like everyone else. In the Torah it says that this is an abomination, and the fact is that a conference like this is in the Knesset means that a coalition that [haredim are] a part of is giving it patronage and legitimization. It doesn’t make sense. It’s hard for me to believe that the Knesset speaker will go to the event. It’s unlike a Jew…to participate in something like this.”

Joint Orthodox And Ultra-Orthodox Statement Against Same Sex Marriage

"We are deeply concerned that, should any such redefinition occur, members of traditional communities like ours will incur moral opprobrium and may risk legal sanction if they refuse to transgress their beliefs. That prospect is chilling, and should be unacceptable to all people of good will on both sides of this debate."

Orthodox Gays In Israel Demand Acceptance

A once unimaginable movement is emerging from within Israel’s insular Orthodox Jewish community: homosexuals demanding to be accepted and embraced, no matter what the Torah says.

Rabbis Ask Gay Men To Marry Lesbians

Rabbis from the religious Zionist community have launched an initiative to marry gay men to lesbian women - with some surprising successes.