Religious matters
How fascinating to see the debate about mixed-faith marriages that is taking place in Conservative Judaism in the US at the moment (Intermarried couples: from disapproval to engagement, JC, March 6) and to what extent it should welcome such couples or officiate at their weddings.
The Reform and Liberal movements here in the UK (now united as the Progressives) went through the same process some years ago and can report that, although there were worries at the time that we would be “giving the green light” to intermarriage, in reality it was happening already and it was more a matter of do we come to terms with it or do we condemn those couples and make sure they sever all ties with Jewish life.
This was highlighted by the thousands of couples that I and other rabbis met with during the “I’m Jewish, My Partner Isn’t” seminars: never did they say, “Rabbi, should we get married or not?”, but instead they said, “Rabbi, we are getting married, can you help?”
By choosing to help, the result was that the Jewish partners maintained their Jewish identity while the non-Jewish partners felt accepted and valued. They were much more likely to then bring up any children with pride in their Jewish heritage and attend the local Religion School or Jewish day school.
There are many advantages to marrying within the faith, but we cannot legislate as to with whom our sons and daughters fall in love. What we can do is respond constructively and try to keep Jews Jewish, as well as the next generation. It has proved a path worth pursuing.
Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain
Convenor, Reform Beit Din
Jenni Frazer’s recent review of the memoir Making the Cut (Some razor sharp tips on how to become a frum fella, JC, February 27) focusses on taking swipes at the London Beth Din’s conversion procedures, noting that “the organisation does not emerge well” (apparently based on meetings “sometimes” being cancelled at short notice and on one dayan asking whether being a comedian is an appropriate job for a frum Jew). This reflects a cliché about the supposedly nefarious Beth Din that over the years has come up regularly in the JC, and it also seems to be consistent with the increasingly adversarial line that the JC has taken vis-à-vis the mainstream and traditional Orthodox institutions and approaches (anything from the United Synagogue to the “right”) which, ironically, make up the bulk of the engaged Jewish community in the UK.
I think it is particularly unfair to make wild generalisations about the London Beth Din’s conduct in the context of Jewish conversions as – given the sensitivity of this topic – the beneficiaries of these services will be reluctant to speak out in the Beth Din’s defence. No matter – I feel obliged to do so. As someone who has had experience of dealing with both the London Beth Din and other Orthodox batei din in the United States and in continental Europe, I can attest that in each case the dayanim have acted scrupulously and humanely. It is precisely their challenging processes and probing questions that ensure the enduring values and world-class reputation that the London Beth Din’s conversion certificates enjoy across the wide spectrum of Orthodox Jewry, which is obviously in the converts’ and their descendants’ best interests. I would imagine that the vast majority of converts who have been through the process will be grateful to the London Beth Din for its continued intransigence and dedication to the highest standards – long may it continue!
Yitzchak (Daniele) Vitale
Borehamwood
Football silence
There is little doubt that much pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel rhetoric breeds and incites antisemitism and antisemitic behaviour, wherever that comes from. Sadly, it has often become a convenient cloak for antisemitic behaviour.
The world of football is no exception and the continuing pro-Palestinian rhetoric and activities of Pep Guardiola and leading Premier League footballers such as William Saliba and Martin Odegaard (Arsenal) and Wesley Fofana (Chelsea), Celtic supporters in Glasgow, the Maccabi Tel Aviv/ Aston Villa debacle as well as the support of pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards for Gary Lineker following his pro-Palestinian comments have clearly been unhealthy for the UK Jewish community and not helped the fight against antisemitism in this country. The waving of Palestinian flags at the Rangers v Celtic match last weekend was clear to see.
As chairman of the charity Action Against Discrimination I have written in bold terms to the chief executives of Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea as well as to the governing bodies of football, the Football Association and the Premier League, with to date only a meaningless standard response from the Football Association.
Sport must never be used as a platform for political views and, in this case, rhetoric which can incite antisemitic activity. There is no place for racist activity and racism against any group in society.
It is incumbent on the relevant clubs Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Celtic, the football authorities and the Home Secretary supported by Jewish community leaders to put a stop to the pro-Palestinian rhetoric that is still alive and kicking in the world of football and which can act as a catalyst for antisemitic activity.
Clubs, the football authorities and the media are quick to condemn racist tweets directed towards black players but not when it comes to anti-Israel and Gaza rhetoric and the ensuing antisemitic behaviour. What is the anti- discrimination organisation Kick it Out doing to support Jews?
The continued silence is unacceptable and must end.
Jonathan Metliss
Chairman, Action Against Discrimination
Palestinian state
If Palestine was, as David Lee puts it in his letter of March 6, eliminated by the events of 1948, did not the Oslo agreement of 1993, creating a Palestine Authority, recognised by Israel and having governmental powers and responsibilities, restore it as a recognised name for that part of the former British Mandate territory not incorporated into the State of Israel?
Jeff Lewis
Whitefield, Manchester
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