‘SHUN JW3 OVER GAY FESTIVAL’
THE ORTHODOX rabbis who called on members to shun JW3 have made clear they were motivated by the community centre’s promotion of LGBT activities.
A notice signed by 25 rabbis on the right of the Orthodox spectrum last month described some programmes at JW3 as “in contradiction” to the Torah, without specifying them.
But a follow-up letter, understood to have been sent to congregations and the heads of some Orthodox Jewish schools, explained the reasons for the boycott call.
It said JW3, in north-west London, had crossed a “red line” with its GayW3 week earlier this year which was held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexual acts in Britain.
A Purim cabaret had been promoted as a “sexy, subversive” performance.
The letter disputed claims said to have been made in advertising GayW3 that attitudes in the Jewish world had changed towards LGBTQ identities.
“The Jewish world is guided by the Torah and the Torah categorically states these lifestyles are forbidden,” the letter said.
To organise “a two-week programme celebrating these lifestyles in such a public way is a public chilul Hashem [profanation of God’s
name]”.
The rabbis wanted to send out a reminder that “the Torah does not condone such activities and to distance oneself and one’s children from such an institution that unashamedly celebrates such activities in such a public way”.
One of the 25 rabbis told the JC this week that theirs was not a minority position but reflected “the general Orthodox rabbinic view”.
THERE WAS a starry turnout for JW3’s biggest fundraising dinner since its launch four years ago. More than 200 guests from across the community enjoyed a special version of the northwest London centre’s “in conversation” series, with Michael Palin interviewed by David Schneider and Darcey Bussell quizzed by Samantha Simmonds.
CEO Raymond Simonson described JW3 as “a vision-driven organisation in a unique position to bring together people from different backgrounds, offering multiple entry points into Jewish life through the breadth, quality and creativity of our programme.” The sentiment was echoed by JW3 founder Dame Vivien Duffield in her closing remarks.
Outgoing centre chair Michael Goldstein reported that “during the course of 2017, over 200,000 people will have crossed the bridge into this building to experience Jewish life through a 21st-century lens, and 21st-century life through a Jewish lens.
“That’s 4,500 people each week engaging with the Jewish community through a proud, positive and visible institution, open and accessible to all. The impact of this is far greater than the 150 or so events, classes and activities that we put on every week.”
Dinner proceeds will go towards programming.