Dec 19, 2011
Dear Madam Editor:
I wish to comment on Elliot Leven’s article regarding Muslim prayer in public schools. While I have no comment on the topic of the article, I do have some things to say concerning his comments about Orthodox Jewry. First of all, I would like you and your readers to know that I am definitely not Orthodox – I am very far from it. However, in recent years I have studied with several rabbis , Orthodox and non, in my quest to know more about Judaism and its "sects", laws and history.
I had always been under the impression that Orthodox women are treated as inferior to women. This misconception often stems from one of the daily prayers that thanks G-d for being born a man. However, this could not be further from the truth. While Orthodox women are treated differently than non-Orthodox women,particularly when it comes to laws concerning prayer and their place in the synagogue, they are considered queens. They are considered to be far superior to their husbands.
As far as Orthodoxy and homosexuality is concerned, the Orthodox movement of today is not blind. They know its existance seems to be growing as more people have become more open about their sexuality. The Orthodox condemn the sexual acts of the gay men, not the men themselves. And, as for lesbianism, it is not an issue at all – it is not "against" the tenets of Orthodoxy.
The information I have presented in this letter is all information that I have learned through my studies with Orthodox teachers. Perhaps if Mr. Leven took the time to do some learning and educate himself, he wouldn’t condemn fastest growing arm of Judaism without knowing anything about it.
Terri Kushner, Winnipeg