Conversion confusion in Israel

YNET

Many converts wishing to get married face objections by chief city rabbis, religious councils who refuse to register them, claiming they 'do not observe mitzvot' [...]

R' Leib Tropper & Modern Orthodox/ R' Slifkin

This is not an endorsement of R' Slifkin's views. I am simply posting it as a summary of how this saga is playing out from a non-chareidi point of view. It is not as R' Tropper likes to say that I have a personal vendeta against him or his absurd claim that I have manipulated the Bedatz and Rav Sternbuch to attack him in order to defend R' Slifkin. There is a more fundamental question being addressed here, why is it necessary - in the pursuit of universally accepted conversions - to create major divisions amongst the segments of the Orthodox Jewish socieity?

R' Slifkin

One problem, which unites such disparate forces as the Badatz of Jerusalem and the Roshei Yeshivah of YU against EJF, is the charge that EJF encourages proselytization. This has been discussed at great length by R. Daniel Eidensohn on his blog Daas Torah. [...]

Irwin Katsof's campaign against gossip

Words Can Heal is a national campaign to eliminate verbal violence, curb gossip and promote the healing power of words to enhance relationships at every level. Words Can Heal has captured the imagination and commitment of an unprecedented coalition. Our board includes top governmental leadership, Wall Street’s most influential CEO’s, America’s leading clergy, Hollywood celebrities and community leaders of every stripe.

Life sentences for juveniles

Newsweek

Iraq doesn't do it. North Korea considers it a cruel form of punishment. But in the United States sentencing a juvenile to life in prison without the possibility of parole is legal.

But on November 9, the U.S. Supreme Court will take up two cases involving juvenile offenders in Florida who claim their life sentences for rape and robbery violate the cruel-and-unusual-punishment clauses of the Constitution.

There are about 2,500 juveniles (ranging in age from 13 to 17) currently sentenced to life in prison in the United States. No other country in the world currently has adolescents serving this sentence, reports the Frank C. Newman International Human Rights Law Clinic. [...]

Rav Sternbuch:Loving kindness of Avrohom

EJF:Seminar to promote intermarried conversion

Ro Ta No

Eternal Jewish Family Holding Seminar for Intermarried Couples Seeking a Universally Accepted Conversion Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 08:26 am

The Eternal Jewish Family is presenting a seminar to educate intermarried couples who are seriously contemplating or seeking a universally accepted conversion. The theme of the seminar is "When a Family Commits to Join the Jewish Family." It will be held at the Marriott Baltimore Hunt Valley Inn in Baltimore, Maryland, December 29-30th, 2008.

It is critical that when the commitment to become a full-fledged member of the Jewish people is made, the conversion meets all of the requirements of halacha. Then the union will be recognized by all rabbinic authorities across the globe. Couples, their children and their children's children will have the confidence to rely on this Universally Accepted Conversion.

The two-day seminar is similar to the successful seminars for intermarried couples held in Oxnard California, Phoenix, Arizona, and Montreal, Canada. Similar seminars were also held in Israel. Those who wish to attend should be currently seeking a universally accepted conversion, or have sought conversion which has been problematic.

Couples must be referred by the rabbi that they are working with and in most cases the rabbi himself joins the couple at the seminar. The seminar will educate couples on what it means to embark on such a serious and life-changing journey. Couples must be in the early stages of seeking a universally accepted conversion to attend.

The halachic conversion is vital for a family to be fully integrated into the Jewish lifestyle and community. Couples who do not obtain a universally accepted conversion may have problems being accepted into Jewish communities. This includes being unable to register their children in Jewish day schools.

EJF has helped many Jewish couples learn what's required to obtain a universally accepted conversion. The decision is not taken lightly - not only does it involve a serious commitment - but it can take a few years to complete.

Speakers at the seminar sessions are given by some of the world's most sought-after educators and lecturers and includes prominent Orthodox thinkers and lecturers. There will also be people who have gone through the experience of obtaining a universally accepted conversion to Judaism who will share their experiences of how they have sought to live an authentic Jewish life.

Speakers include:

Rabbi Leib Tropper, Rosh Yeshiva Kol Yaakov/Horizons and Chairman of the EJF's Rabbinic Committee

Rabbi Mordechai Neugroschel - a leading lecturer for Arachim, an outreach organization that has set the bar for creative and innovative approaches to educating unaffiliated Jews

Rabbi Mayer Schiller, noted thinker and lecturer

Rabbi Doron Kornbluth, author of the best-selling Why Marry Jewish? Surprising Reasons for Jews to Marry Jews

Rabbi Daniel Assor, a former Protestant minister and leader of the Jews for Jesus movement.

The cost for couples approved for participation is only $99 per person ($198 per couple). Scholarships are available and babysitting services can be arranged upon request. Please inquire about an extra room for those that wish to comply with Jewish law that only those who are halachically married should stay in the same room.

To sign up, couples should contact the rabbi who has been working with them on a UAC or sign up online at http://www.eternaljewishfamily.org/site/programs/seminar_application.

Maharal: Public derogatory speech is not lashon harah