Below is evidence that R' Tropper's has totally lost contact with reality. He falsely asserts that HaRav Moshe Sternbuch and the Bedatz did not criticize him on halachic grounds. He falsely asserts that their motivation is solely to support R' Nosson Slifkin . This despite the fact that Rav Sternbuch has published his opinion that the views of R' Slikin are heresy - even though he acknowledges that R' Slikin not a heretic. Anybody with even a minimal contact of reality know R' Tropper's statements are not innocent errors but are lies and slander. The attempt to divert attention from R' Tropper's very questionable halachic position by claiming that it is all a conspiracy to defend R' Slifkin - is a sad commentary on the state of this man. Furthermore if he is claiming that I am a secret defender of R' Slifkin and have succeeded in convincing the Bedatz to attack R' Tropper - that is even more bizarre than the first. I am not a supporter of R' Slifkin's views and I have absolutely no control over the views of the Bedatz . I do agree with the Bedatz that R' Tropper's halachic grounds are very questionable.
This is RaP's summary of sources from the Bedatz
RaP: Can you point to the alleged "irrationality" you IMAGINE? Is the owner of this blog Rabbi Dr. Eidensohn "irrational", who posted I, II and and many other posts like this and who posts his and others' comments after serious review of each comment and who opposes the EJF effort and Rabbi Tropper's methods? Is Rav Moshe Shternbuch "irrational" for opposing efforts, see "Rav Moshe Sternbuch - Authorized Translation" and "Rav Moshe Sternbuch - Kiruv for non-Jews and "Bedatz Letter regarding EJF signed by Gaavad" like those of Rabbi Tropper and the EJF? Is the entire BADATZ of the powerful Eidah HaChareidis "irrational" (are Horav Meir Brandsorfer, Horav Moshe Sternbuch, Horav Naftoli Frenkal, Horav Avrohom Yitzchok Ulman, Horav Yakov Mendel Yorovitch, Horav Yehoushua Rosenberg ALL "irrational" too for signing it?) see "Bedatz letter regarding conversion" and of taking the extreme measure of openly, see "Bedatz letter regarding conversion" and rebuking and warning dayanim and batei din all over the world who were Recipients of its official warning letters and giving Publicicty to it, authorising its dissemination online through this very blog by Rabbi Dr. Eidensohn. It has been Rabbi Dr. Eidensohn who has asked for written Halachik clarifications from Rabbi Tropper and EJF and none has been forthcoming, so take it up with him if you think he and others being "irrational" for asking for a written reason al pi din and for his efforts EJF tried to smear him, see "EJF smear campaign"
===========================================
Rabbi Tropper's Blog [previous response to a blog criticism]
Questions and Answers About Eternal Jewish Family With Rabbi Leib Tropper
Question: What is the focus of Eternal Jewish Family’s Work?
Answer: We wish to protect those who want to Have an authentic conversion which will never be questioned, by informing them of the proper Batei Din that Can Facilitate that kind of conversion.Question: There are some Blogs that have all kinds of claims against Eternal Jewish Family, particularly one blog that is controlled by a Religious man. Have you any response to those claims? Answer:
We do not Look at blogs hence no reason to Respond. There is one Particular Rabbi who we never met but heard that he has a blog that Speaks against EJF. I know of the Rabbi and communicated with him about 2-3 times.
It became apparrent to us that the Rabbi’s attacks had little to do with the laws of Yoreh Deah siman 248-9 which discuss the laws of conversion. It has to do with a group of people that are furious over my voiced opposition to R’ Nosson Slifkin ’s book which was banned by the Gedolei Torah.
This we discovered through many sources despite the camouflage. These people are Devout Followers of Rabbi Slifkin who have made it their campaign to attack those who opposed R’ Nosson Slifkin’s views. There is much more to say about this topic. For now, be sure that the Rabbi’s hatred for Eternal Jewish Family is rooted in the above… NOTHING to do with the Laws of Geirus.
This Rabbi, who authored a book as well, IS and WAS a STRONG supporter of R’ Nosson Slifkin despite the declaration of opposition From Gedolei Yisroel and despite the signed opposition of his own Rav, shlita. Considering all the above it becomes Clear why his manufactured claims are irrelevant. I Travel the world and Gedolei Yisroel all over are supportive of the objectives of EJF. People from all walks of life have sent us letters of encouragement and applauded Mr. Kaplan’s strength in taking on this challenge. Mr. Kaplan is not a Major supporter of Kol Yaakov. His Focus is on Eternal Jewish Family. In contrast to what was reported, Horizons is a kiruv organization only. In Israel, it is known as Ofakym. As far the report that I heard regarding Rabbi Nochum Eisenstein removing himself from Eternal Jewish Family, that is false. He comes to all Eternal Jewish Family rabbinic events and we speak with him numerous times during a week. I am sure that this Rabbi will never stop his attacks on Eternal Jewish Family. He made it his life’s mission.
Some other interesting observations from the aforementioned blog:
ReplyDeleteQuestion:
Is it permissible for a Jew who was married to a non Jewish spouse, who subsequently converted authentically to Judaism, to publicly state their Past as such for the sake of kiruv?
Answer:
The Gemara, in the last Perek of Yoma and the second perek of the laws of teshuva in the Rambam, state that it is prohibited. Maran Harav Eliyashuv, shlita is against this even for the sake of kiruv.
Question:
Do you (Rabbi Tropper and EJF) have regular contact with the Halachic leaders of our time?
Answer:
Besides the weekly contact with HaGaon HaRav Reuven Feinstein, Shlit”a, we have regular contact with HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Wosner, Shlit”a and I have had the privilege of having a private audience on average, once every 6 weeks with Maran HaRav Yosef Shalom Eliyashuv, Shlit”a and HaGaon HaRav C. Kanievsky, Shlit”a.
Question:
Is it true that Eternal Jewish Family takes mixed couples who are interested in converting to Judaism to the fanciest hotels to conduct seminars?
Answer:
About three years ago, Eternal Jewish Family held a conference for couples interested in a Jewish conversion at a fancy hotel. It was a mistake and Mr. Thomas Kaplan strongly opposed it for many of the right reasons. Since then, seminars are not held in luxurious hotels and the meals are pre-packaged. However, it never was or is halachically prohibited.
From: http://rabbileibtropper.com/rabbi-troppers-bio/
ReplyDeleteRabbi Tropper’s Bio
Rabbi Leib Tropper, Rosh Yeshiva of Kol Yaakov Torah Center, was born on the Lower East Side to Rav Yehuda Tropper, a popular mechanech at Yeshivas Rabbeinu Yaakov Yosef Elementary School, and Rivka o”h, the daughter of the Valbolneker Iluy, HaGaon HaRav Leib Forer zt”l. After graduating from Yeshivas Rabbeinu Yaakov Yosef at the age of 12 ½, Rabbi Tropper first attended the Yeshiva of Philadelphia and then learned at the Telshe Yeshiva in Cleveland. Before reaching his 15th birthday, Rabbi Tropper traveled to Eretz Yisroel to learn in Yeshivas Torah Ore, founded by Maran Harav Chaim Pinchus Scheinberg shlit”a. Rabbi Tropper spent more than five years at Yeshivas Torah Ore, where he developed a close relationship as a talmid, receiving most of his hadracha from the Rosh Yeshiva shlita.
After leaving Torah Ore, Rabbi Tropper accepted a position at the world renowned Ohr Sameach institutions, then still in its embryonic stages. During that period, Rabbi Tropper accumulated four semichos, the first being from Hagaon Harav Sroyohu Deblitzky shlita, a talmid muvhak of the Chazon Ish zt”l. Subsequently, he received ordination from then Sephardic Chief Rabbi, Rav Ovadia Yosef shlita. However, his most precious semichos were those received from the Mara D’asra of Yerushalayim, Harav Betzalel Zolty and Maran Harav Elazar Menachem Man Shach zt”l, the Ponevezher Rosh Yeshiva.
After five years in Yerushalayim teaching baalei teshuva, Rabbi Tropper returned to the United States to become the educational director of Ohr Sameach, New York located in Yonkers and Monsey. After several years he was encouraged to start a new yeshiva for baalei teshuva who wish to become B’nei Torah and be mainstreamed into a conventional yeshiva environment. Kol Yaakov’s doors opened in Elul of ’81 and was named in honor of Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky zt”l, who inspired its founding. In existence for almost 25 years, Kol Yaakov has reached students from across the globe. Rabbi Tropper attributes the yeshiva’s success to the approach in Hashkafa and Chinuch he learned from his Rosh Yeshiva, Maran Harav Scheinberg shlita.
In 1990, Rabbi Tropper began a new outreach program called Horizons, focusing on educating and inspiring the unaffiliated to experience a Torah lifestyle. As its director, Rabbi Tropper has traveled across the world to places such as Berlin, London, Paris among others and visited remote cities throughout the U.S. lecturing and teaching. Additionally, he has also authored three seforim, the first of which was published at the age of 21 which incorporated many of the psakim of Harav Eliyashuv, shlita and received approbations from numerous Gedolim including Harav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, zt’l and Harav Henkin, zt’l. Another of his Halachic sfarim is based on the p’sokim of his Rebbe, Maran Harav Scheinberg, shlit”a and the third based on halachic decisions of Rav Tuvia Goldstein zt’l.
Rabbi Tropper studied Halacha under the direction of Gedolei Horoah such as, Harav Sheinberg, Harav Tuvia Goldstein and had the special opportunity to learn with Harav Henkin, zt’l.
Dr. Eidensohn,
ReplyDeleteRabbi Tropper wants to say that he discovered from secret sources that you're a secret supporter of Rabbi Slifkin and that your attacks have nothing to do with halacha, but only your secret support of Rabbi Slifkin. Slifkin supporters are in a conspiracy to attack anti-Slifkinites. This all has to do with you and your posse who are "furious" over his "voiced opposition" to Rabbi Slifkin's views.
In other words, in Rabbi Tropper's view, your views are not based on views of the gedolim of the Badatz Eidah Chareidus but only exist because you're a fellow conspirator against him because of his opposition to Rabbi Slifkin's books.
But he doesn't look at blogs, so there's no reason for him to respond to you. So he won't.
Baruch wrote:
ReplyDeleteIn other words, in Rabbi Tropper's view, your views are not based on views of the gedolim of the Badatz Eidah Chareidus but only exist because you're a fellow conspirator against him because of his opposition to Rabbi Slifkin's books.
But he doesn't look at blogs, so there's no reason for him to respond to you. So he won't.
===============
He doesn't explain why the Bedatz and Rav Sternbuch have strongly criticized him in public letters. If all opposition is only to defend R' Slifkin then the Bedatz is also attacking him because they are defending R' Slikfin.
These people are Devout Followers of Rabbi Slifkin who have made it their campaign to attack those who opposed R’ Nosson Slifkin’s viewsHow does one become an official follower of rabbi Slifkin? Is it an order like the freemasons or the templars? Do you have a secret handshake? do you need a recommendation from two existing members in order to join in? do you gather in underground bunker and discuss the writings of rabbi Slifkin? Are you connected to Opus Dei and Priory of Sion ?
ReplyDeleteI think Tropper is on something and he should discuss it with R’ Dan Brown.
I know I posted here and elsewhere before but if I can save a soul from the tentacles of Tropper, Dayenu.
ReplyDeleteTropper became a tzaras on klal Israel way back. From him dating a woman in pharesia while mesarev get tohis first wife, messing up Gideon Busch, a promising medical Student who Tropper told to drop from school,, to join Kol Yaakov only to expel him later. Gideon Busch was subsequently got shot down by the NYPD. Tropper defends himself saying that is better to die as a haredi than live as non haredi.
Tropper is known to forbid talmidim to see their parents if the parents do not become observant. He also harassed a student who decided to go YU and he bad mouthed him to his new rabbi in the talmid’s new community.
He also told a BT to leave his wife and two children to go to a yeshiva in Israel because the wife was not yet in the same level of observance as the husband. No need to mention that the wife does not receive any child or spousal support.
He revoked a conversion of a woman who occasionally wore pants, he forbade a convert to go to Touro nursing school (an Orthodox program).
He tells people that rav Yakov Kaminetsky ZT'L told him to open kol yaakov but I am telling you that it is sheker vekazav! rav Kaminetsky would have nothing to do with kind of Tropper
the Monsey Tzadik said...
ReplyDeleteDarn, you beat me to it! I thought R'DE was only a fellow traveler with R'NS, little did I know he was the vice grand pobah of the international order of the Slikinnites!
KT
Joel Rich
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteWhy do rabbis do conversions anyway? People seem to dislike gerim so much that I dont see the point of gerus. All this controvery needs to stop. Judaism a religion of converts, but converts are discriminated against and treated like crap. Why not stop all this? I feel bad for those sincere individuals who do so much for the Jewish community, still they are always looked down upon. BTW, gerim should be accepted according to halacha and not be treated in a inhumane manner. Conversions should be done according to halacha. Period.
ReplyDelete(New post)
ReplyDeleteEJF promotes conference with Kiruv organizations, while its theme is "Converting Intermarried Couples", yet is set to promote the toughest approach to conversion itself, as EJF and Rabbi Tropper are forced to issue an official public apology and explanation to the RCA over another conversion incident.Firstly the apology:
(1) EJF and Rabbi Tropper have issued the following on the official EJF website:
"EJF Updates
05/11/2009
EJF Clarifies Stand on RCA Geyrus
A media report that appeared to challenge the validity of a geyrus performed by a rabbi affiliated with the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA) was not authorized by EJF. The report made it appear as if EJF was critical of the geyrus, when in fact EJF was never privy to the circumstances behind the giyur. While questions were raised about the procedure that led up to the giyur, EJF at no time ruled on the status of the conversion. It likewise never authorized anyone affiliated with the organization to address the giyur in the media. EJF International apologizes for any misunderstanding, particularly in a case where the Rosh Bais Din who performed the conversion is a true Talmid Chacham. In commenting on the giyur, Rabbi Leib Tropper noted, “Our standards that are based on the halachic rulings of past and present gedolei yisroel are well known and not subject to compromise. Both EJF and RCA agree that any differences should be aired between rabbinic leaders of both organizations and not in the media.”
Then this for some background:
(2) EJF has long had objections to the RCA, such as was reported on the Dei'ah VeDibur website, that also officially hosts pronouncements the VAAD HORABBONIM HAOLAMI LEINYONEI GIYUR headed by Rav Nochum Eisenstein, when in a March 13, 2008 statement it stated:
"NEWS
Eternal Jewish Family Warns Against Backing Unqualified DayanimBy Yechiel Sever
Following an agreement signed by the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA) to set up a network of regional botei din in cooperation with the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, Eternal Jewish Family (EJF), headed by HaRav Leib Tropper which works extensively to uphold proper conversion practices around the world based on consultations with gedolei Yisroel, is warning against certain Chief Rabbinate officials who are offering support and recognition for modern rabbis who do not operate in accordance with halacha and is urging the Chief Rabbinate to announce publicly that it will not back these rabbis. According to reports in the foreign press the list of rabbis approved for these botei din includes individuals whose kehillas hold minyanim for women.
Recently officials at the Chief Rabbinate have recognized a number of new rabbis outside of Israel, some of whom are upstanding dayanim. But there are also a number of modern rabbinical organizations whose dayanim do not operate in accordance with halacha and Jewish hashkofoh, and their actions are liable to create major breaches in Kerem Beis Yisroel.
EJF has voiced its strong support for steps the Chief Rabbinate has taken to strengthen conversion abroad by cooperating with the organization, but at the same time EJF is warning not to submit to pressure of any kind, and to ensure that conversions are performed only by dayanim who have yiras Shomayim and are qualified to uphold the halacha passed down through the generations — especially in the area of conversion, a matter held dear by Torah-true Judaism.
The organization also notes the importance of distinguishing between rabbonim, who may be very capable of heading a kehilloh, but they are not dayanim who have specialized training and experience — including shimush — needed to sit on the bench of an orderly, permanent beis din. Without this training and experience they should under no circumstances be authorized to serve as dayanim in conversion courts. Proper conversion courts require an av beis din widely recognized as an expert and two other dayanim worthy of the title.
Recently, with the encouragement of EJF, 13 botei din have been set up around the US to hear cases related to all areas of Jewish law, including conversion. All these botei din include a well-known av beis din.
EJF welcomes the RCA's initiative to transfer the authority to perform conversions from individual rabbonim to fixed, regional botei din, but at the same time calls on the organization to ensure that the sitting rabbonim are properly trained to serve as dayanim.
In a related matter, EJF wishes to clarify that information regarding the agreement reached between the Chief Rabbinate and the RCA is being distorted in reports in the general press due to the efforts of several people who have ulterior motives.
Chief Rabbi Amar has told Rav Tropper that the Chief Rabbinate has only approved seven regional RCA botei din and not 15 as has been widely reported in the press. Also Chief Rabbi Amar has said that rabbis whose kehillas have prayer groups for women will not be approved as dayanim.
In a conference call among Rav Nochum Eisenstein, chairman of the Vaad HaRabbonim Haolami LeInyonei Giyur founded by HaRav Chaim Kreiswirth zt"l, Rabbi Peretz of the Chief Rabbi's Office, and a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, this message was clearly conveyed. Nonetheless, the Jerusalem Post refused to print a correct of the incorrect information in their previous articles, saying that it was not "interesting" to their readers."
EJF may be forced to issue more apologies as more cases of confrontation between the RCA rabbis and EJF-connected ones will go head to head.
Then these facts:
(3) Another key question to ponder is if those who are going to participate realize that it was precisley these types of confrences sponmsored 100% by EJF that were center of a call by the BADATS and Rav Moshe Shternbuch in repeated written rulings NOT to attend EJF events that was issued and posted on this blog at:
i Bedatz letter regarding conversion (November 18, 2007), (original document): "...We therefore are turning to the poskim and the roshei yeshivos not to participate in their conventions - such as the one that occurred in America last week. Even if their motivation was to improve the standards of conversions – they are making improvements in one area while making things worse in another. This approach is directly causing serious problems..."
ii Bedatz Letter regarding EJF signed by Gaavad (February 14, 2008) (original document): "Distinguished Rabbi shlita, I am requesting from you - with every expression of entreaty - to stop and break off association with this organization (Eternal Jewish Family) which is a danger to the future of the Jewish people. Even isolated cases of this type of conversion (of intermarried couples) are extremely problematic. This is explicitly stated by the Achiezer (3:28) that “no kosher beis din should deal with this (the conversion of intermarried couples).” Also look in the Igros Moshe (E.H. 1:27) where he states “this whole issue of conversion of intermarried couples is personally totally distasteful even in isolated cases.” It is simply not acceptable to deal with the issue of intermarried couples in this manner and to openly reinforce their activities with public announcements and notices in newspapers and internet and other such means. They are in effect inviting non‑Jews to participate in a program of conversion through this publicity. It is a really damaging approach which unfortunately will bring about even more intermarriages and invalid conversions. Distinguished Rabbi shlita, please act according to your understanding and wisdom and desist from participating in this program (of the Eternal Jewish Family). It is a public danger. G‑d should assist you."
iii Rav Moshe Sternbuch - Kiruv for non-Jews and Rav Moshe Sternbuch - Authorized Translation (original document): "...My view is that it is absolutely forbidden to try to proselytize a non‑Jew even if he mistakenly views himself as Jewish. One obvious reason is that such an approach actually encourages intermarriage. If people with only a Jewish father are encouraged to participate in Jewish educational events it will convey the message that in some sense they are actually Jewish. That is because it is commonly accepted that only Jews are allowed to participate in these events. Thus this innovation crosses the red lines that have always been accepted by Torah true Jews...I see this as a violation of following non‑Jewish practices (chukas akum). These rabbis are showing mercy to the Jewish father by a de-facto acknowledgment of the non‑Jewish concept of patrilineal descent...Concerning the specific case that you mentioned of a student whose father is Jewish but the mother is a non‑Jew. One of the kiruv programs wants to include him – even though he still lives with his parents. You mentioned that a number of American rabbis have given halachic rulings that his participation in the program should be encouraged because he might convert. Do not associate yourself with their programs. You will receive much greater reward by disassociating from them than the possible benefit that might result..."
Now coming up:
(4) In the meantime Rabbi Tropper and EJF are pushing on as described in the following two most recent infomercials from The Jewish Press and the English-language Hamodia.
Note that the JP headline is that "Kiruv organizations are joining with EJF" and in the Hamodia headline it touts that "EJF is joining Kiruv organizations".
If one looks at what the official title of the conference is, mainly "Intermarried Families Pursuing Conversion in Communal and Educational Settings" it means that the convention is about teaching people how to obtain conversions for families already intermarried -- 99.999% of the time "families" do not "intermarry" -- individuals intermarry and they produce "intermarried families" that have children who are either not Jewish halachically if the mother is not Jewish Halachically, OR the children are Halachically Jewish and do not need conversion if the mother is provably Jewish, regardless of her level of observance, so that the theme of the upcoming convention does not really address the topics and headlines of the two infomercials in the JP and the Hamodia (notice how the pro-Agudath Israel party-line paper the English-language YATED NE'EMAN has so far not placed any EJF connected infomercials, ads or articles for quite a while now.)
It is highly questionable if any of the solid well-established kiruv organizations that are supposed to attend, all with a strict Charedi hashkofa and under watchful Gedolim's guidance need help from EJF and Rabbi Tropper in convincing any of their students not to intermarry because after all that is the foundation of all Orthodox kiruv programs. It would be like EJF joining the AAA and lecturing them about safe driving practices, what is known as "preaching to the converted" or "singing to the gallery" in plain idiomatic English.
There are more obvious errors of logic and facts, but enough for now.
Here are the two similar but differently nuanced infomercials:
"THE JEWISH PRESS
Friday, May 8, 2009
Page 11
Kiruv Organizations Join Effort Against IntermarriageThe Eternal Jewish Family International (EJF) has launched a major initiative to stem the tide of the soaring rate of intermarriage in Jewish communities in America, Israel and Europe. EJF is joining Ohr Someach, Nefesh Yehudi, Gateways, Lev Le’achim, Arachim, and Hidabroot to convey to Jewish youth “a direct message on the threat of intermarriage to themselves, their families, and the Jewish future,” according to Rabbi Leib Tropper, rosh yeshiva of Kol Yaakov/Horizons and the chairman of the rabbinical board of EJF.
EJF is sponsoring a three day conference for rabbonim and kiruv professionals from May 24-26 at the Westin Governor Hotel in Morristown, N.J. Rabbi Reuven Feinstein, rosh yeshiva of Mesivta of Staten Island and the president of EJF’s Halachic Committee, and Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetsky, rosh yeshiva of the Yeshiva Gedolah of Philadelphia and a member of the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah of Agudath Israel of America, are expected to address the conclave.
The Eternal Jewish Family, founded in 2005, is an affiliate of Horizons/Lillian Jean Kaplan Jewish Pride Through Education Project. It is dedicated to promoting universally accepted standards for conversion and intermarriage and assisting batei din and rabbonim around the world with the necessary support for this challenging process."
"HAMODIA
Community
19 IYAR 5769 | May 13, 2009
Page C32
EJF Joins Kiruv Organizations in New Effort Against IntermarriageBy Raphael Rosenzweig
____________
The Eternal Jewish Family International (EJF) has launched a major initiative on three continents to stem the tide of intermarriage in Jewish communities in the United States, Israel, and Europe. EJF is joining with the largest and most successful kiruv organizations in reaching out to large numbers of Jewish youth with a direct message about the threat of intermarriage to themselves, their families, and the Jewish future.
“This epidemic of intermarriage can only be confronted with straight talk about the dangers of intermarriage,” said Rabbi Leib Tropper, Rosh Yeshiva of Kol Yaakov/Horizons and chairman of the Rabbinical Board of EJF. “We can no longer afford to beat around the bush in the hope that the anti-intermarriage message will somehow penetrate.”
In addition to its own programs through its Horizons division, EJF has already made significant progress with its new partners. Last November it co-sponsored a seminar for student kiruv professionals enrolled in the Ohr Lagolah program of Ohr Somyach, and in March it co-sponsored a major seminar with Nefesh Yehudi in Baden, Austria, for 100 Israeli medical students. Additional seminars are being planned with Gateways and Lev L’Achim. EJF also enjoys good working relationships with such organizations as Arachim and Hidabroot.
In order to unite all the participants in this initiative, EJF will be sponsoring a three-day conference for Rabbanim and kiruv professionals May 24-26 at the Westin Governor Morris Hotel in Morristown, N.J. Harav Reuven Feinstein, shlita, Rosh Yeshivah of the Mesivta of Staten Island and president of EJF’s Halachic Committee, and Harav Shmuel Kaminetsky, shlita, Rosh Yeshivah of the Yeshivah Gedolah of Philadelphia and a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudath Israel of America, will address the gathering.
The theme of the conference is “Challenges for Intermarried Families Pursuing Conversion in Communal and Educational Settings.” Among the topics that will be addressed are the devastating impact of improper conversions on families and communities, schools’ responsibilities to verify conversions, the necessity of a conversion l’chumrah, and identifying signs of a fraudulent or questionable conversion.
The Eternal Jewish Family was founded in 2005 and is an affiliate of Horizons/Lillian Jean Kaplan Jewish Pride Through Education Project. It is dedicated to promoting universally-accepted standards for conversion in intermarriage and giving Rabbanim and batei din around the world the support they need for this challenging process.
EJF organizes worldwide rabbinic conferences for the purpose of deliberating on universal conversion standards in intermarriage.
EJF’s efforts to prevent the tragedy of faulty conversions are endorsed by Gedolei Torah around the world."
(5) And from EJF's own website:
"EJF Rabbinic Seminar MorristownSee all rabbis events
Westin Govorner Morris, Morristown,NJ
05/24/2009 - 05/26/2009
Rabbonim and educators on the front lines of kiruv know firsthand the challenges of working with intermarried couples who are interested in building Torah homes. In another effort to act as a critical resource and support for their work, EJF has scheduled a rabbinic forum to take place May 24th through 26th at the Westin Governor Morris in Morristown, NJ.
Prominent speakers will highlight the importance and challenges of preventing intermarried couples from the pitfalls of fraudulent and/or questionable conversions and how to secure a universally accepted conversion for those who are sincere in their commitment to lead an observant Jewish life. Those wishing to learn more about this Rabbinic Forum should contact EJF at(845)357-1022 ext. 106."
The above "(New post)" now has its own post at EJF promotes conversion for intermarried (Sunday, May 17, 2009) where the discussion continues.
ReplyDelete