Rabbis demand boycott of JW3 Jewish cultural centre over LGBT events

For the avoidance of doubt, the mention of “Toievah” – “abomination” – in the letter then includes a reference to “Vayikra [Leviticus] Chapter 20, verse 13”.

The verse itself, which was not included in the letter, says: “If a man lies with a man as he lies with a woman, they have both committed an abomination. They shall be put to death, their blood-guilt is upon them”. 

The rabbis go on to say that “it is of our opinion that JW3 has never promoted the upkeep of Halacha, the observance of Torah and Mitzvot and religious commitment, and as far as we are aware, it does not provide any conference or seminars on religious education and Torah learning”.

JW3 describes itself on its website as a venue which seeks to “bring all Jews together, wherever (or whether) they place themselves on the religious spectrum”. A kosher restaurant, with supervision provided by the Sephardi Kashrut Authority, is located on the premises. 

As part of its stated “core principles”, the centre aims to “promote the best of Jewish values and to create better understanding between different strands of the Jewish community, and between Jews and different faiths, communities and cultures”.

In early March, the cultural centre held a “GayW3” festival to mark 50 years since the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Britain. At the time, a poster outside the centre advertising the event was defaced, with the word “shame” daubed on it. 

It is unclear why the letter from the Rabbis calling for congregants not to attend the centre has been published now, four months after the festival in question. JW3 has been contacted for comment.