Amsterdad Chief Rabbi apologises for calling homosexuality an illness

AS THE chief rabbi of Amsterdam apologised for signing a declaration which described homosexuality as an illness, a new row has broken out in the Netherlands over a therapy promoted by a Christian mental health group to help 

homosexuals “repress their sinful urges”.

Aryeh Ralbag, who is based in New York, was suspended last week by the city’s orthodox Jewish community after using his official title to sign with more than 180 other rabbis the Declaration on the Torah Approach to Homosexuality

The declaration caused outrage among liberal Jews on both sides of the Atlantic by not alone describing homosexuality as “an illness” which could be “modified and healed”, but by characterising it as “an unacceptable lifestyle choice”.

It emerged yesterday that Rabbi Ralbag had apologised to the city’s orthodox leaders for using his Amsterdam title when signing the controversial document, which he now accepted had been “wrong”. As a result he has been reinstated.

However, with his position still in doubt in the long term, he also said that with the benefit of hindsight he now believed that he should not, perhaps, have signed it at all because “it did not properly reflect my position”.

There was even a suggestion last night that Rabbi Ralbag flew to Amsterdam at the end of last week to meet Jewish elders – just days after insisting that he and his wife believed their lives would be “in danger” if they visited the country to discuss the issue.

Meanwhile, in a new row, MPs and gay rights groups have demanded details of a therapy promoted by the Christian mental health organisation Different – which claims to teach homosexuals how to ignore their sexual feelings – because it is available on State-subsidised health insurance lists.

The therapy has become an embarrassment for health minister Edith Schippers, who at first said it should be taken off insurance lists because “health insurance is to pay for treatment or to prevent illness – and homosexuality is not an illness”. Later, she too was forced to make a U-turn, saying the therapy did not attempt to “cure” homosexuality, rather it aimed to help homosexuals decide whether or not they could accept their sexual feelings.

From the Irish Times

Black Preacher gets wrapped in a Torah while talking about JC

Beit Shemesh Gangster who advocates forcing women to dress like Chareidim speaks out on video

The interview is in hebrew!

Cancer can be prevented! Says the Israel Cancer Association

It is possible to prevent 60 percent of cancer deaths by lifestyle changes, early diagnoses and proven medical interventions, according to the Israel Cancer Association.

To avoid a wide variety of cancers, maintain normal weight over the years, without yo-yo dieting. Exercise regularly and minimize the number of fattening foods you eat. Youth should exercise daily, if possible, but at least three times a week. Cut the number of hours you spent sitting or lying down and watching TV.

Minimize the amount of high-calorie, salty and sugary foods you eat and prefer vegetables, fiber and fruit. Poultry and fish are much preferable to red and fatty meat. Prefer baking and cooking to grilling and frying meat. Whole wheat products are much more healthful that those made from while flour.

Eating garlic reduces the risk of colorectal cancer, according to recent research. There is no evidence, the experts say, that artificial sweeteners used in normal quantities raise the cancer risk, and they are preferable to sugar.

There is no agreement among scientists that eating organic foods are more effective in reducing cancer risks than ordinary food, the ICA said. Wash produce with water (and soap if possible). Avoid trans fats that are produced from turning vegetable oil to solid fat such as margarine.

Read more Jerusalem Post

No....He's not Jewish ... that's Cardinal Dolan of New York

Scientists: "Forget Global Warming" "Mini Ice-age Coming!"

The supposed ‘consensus’ on man-made global warming is facing an inconvenient challenge after the release of new temperature data showing the planet has not warmed for the past 15 years.
The figures suggest that we could even be heading for a mini ice age to rival the 70-year temperature drop that saw frost fairs held on the Thames in the 17th Century.

A painting, dated 1684, by Abraham Hondius depicts one of many frost fairs on the River Thames during the mini ice age

Based on readings from more than 30,000 measuring stations, the data was issued last week without fanfare by the Met Office and the University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit. It confirms that the rising trend in world temperatures ended in 1997.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2093264/Forget-global-warming--Cycle-25-need-worry-NASA-scientists-right-Thames-freezing-again.html#ixzz1ktIqVUd

Noah Foxman struck twice, killed in Hit and Run in Flatbush...Video

Police say the 58 year-old, Noach foxman was knocked to the ground by a grey van, which remained on the scene. As he lay in the crosswalk, the man was struck again by a sedan that did not stop.

The tragic accident unfolded at around 10:30PM, when R’ Noach was crossing Coney Island Avenue and Avenue K, when he was struck by a vehicle. He was conscious and alert, and told bystanders to call for an ambulance. Then, as he lay in the crosswalk in the rain, a speeding vehicle struck him very hard, and took off without stopping.
Flatbush Hatzolah raced to the scene, and did everything they could to try and save his life. He was rushed to Coney Island Hospital, but was R”L pronounced dead a few minutes after arriving at the hospital.
Police were combing the streets late at night looking for the second vehicle, reported to be a dark colored small-sized SUV.
Reb Noach Z”L was a fixture at the Bais Medrash of HaRav Hillel David Shlita, where he Davened for many years.
Shocked friends and neighbors gathered at the scene until past midnight, and awaited the Levaya details.
As of this posting, the Levaya will take place in Midwood Chapels on Coney Island Avenue and Avenue M on Friday (exact time to be published when available).

R' Zalman Leib Teitelbaum, Satmar Rebbi of Williamsburg, rejects reconciliation with Belz!

The Bais Din of R' Zalman Leib, sent an open letter to the Satmar paper Der Yid, stating that they absolutely reject any reconciliation with Belz and blamed Belzer Chassidus and its leader for making "changes in age-old chinuch" and "for becoming too close with the Zionist establishment." This letter was signed by six leading dayanim and rabbonim of the kehillah of R' Zalman Leib. We reported last week that R' Zalman Leib denounced the Belzer Rebbi for asking Chareidim to stop the violence in Yerushalyim.

The Baal Mochlokas Rebbi, R' Zalman Leib Shlitah

We (Dusizneis) believe that the only reason R' Aaron Teitelbaum accepted Shalom with Belz is because the two Rebbis, are brother-in-laws, married to two sisters. The sisters are very close, and speak to each other on a weekly basis in the "tumedike" language Ivrit.

Chareidim in Israel are Defying Poskim and seeking Academic Degrees!

Chareidim in Eretz Yisroel finally are finally realizing  that the present Kollel situation is not sustainable, and are ignoring the "Gedolim" and seeking careers.
Read the following article from Yeshiva World!

Chareidim at a recent job fair in Yerushalayim

There is a growing trend among chareidim in Israel who wish to attain an academic degree. In 5772, there are over 6,000 students identified with the chareidi tzibur studying for a degree, and N’vei Institute reports a 30% increase in registration this year, Kikar Shabbat reports.

Upon completion of the program, N’vei also assists graduates in finding suitable positions in the workforce. The school will be holding an open day for prospective students on January 29, 2012. The program is designed for yeshiva graduates that wish to invest in a future in the workplace, willing to work hard towards earning a degree that can open doors in a number of fields, including high-tech.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Rabbi Steven Pruzansky mobilizing world wide support for Rav Ralbag

Rabbi Ralbag

The decision by Amsterdam's orthodox Jewish community to suspend its chief rabbi because of his controversial beliefs about homosexuality is 'verging on fascism', a committee of orthodox Jews in the US has told the Volkskrant.

The Committee for the Declaration on the Torah Approach to Homosexuality told the paper in an email it is 'shocking' that a chief rabbi in the Netherlands has been suspended for his statements on 'centuries-old religious truths'.

Amsterdam's orthodox Jewish community (NIHS) suspended rabbi Aryeh Ralbag as its nominal chief last week after the New York-based official signed a statement describing homosexuality as an illness which can be cured.

Discussion

Ralbag will remain suspended until he and community leaders have spoken about the issue, but it is unclear when this will happen. On Sunday, the NRC said the rabbi believes his life would be in danger if he came to the Netherlands.

Ralbag told the paper: ‘I have strong indications that my wife and I would not be sure of our lives if we came to the Netherlands now.’ He declined to say what the threats were but did say he took them ‘extremely seriously’, the paper reported.

The declaration, signed by 162 rabbis and mental health practitioners last year, states that 'homosexuality is not an acceptable lifestyle' and that 'behaviours are changeable'.

Freedom of speech

In the email, committee spokeswoman Susie Rosenbluth says freedom of speech and freedom of religion are holy. The NIHS is officially part of the orthodox community and cannot then point to the 'unique position of Dutch orthodox Jews' as some in Amsterdam have done, she wrote.

New Jersey rabbi Steven Pruzansky, who is mobilizing intenational support for Ralbag, blames Dutch tolerance for the situation, the paper says.

Rabbi Pruzansky

'Dutch society is so tolerant, with legal and open prostitution and a sharp reduction in faithfulness in marriage, that it is impossible for Jews who grow up in such surroundings to embrace the moral message of the Torah,' the Volkskrant quoted him as saying. 'They are in spiritual shock.'

Time out

Ronnie Eisemann, chairman of the NIHS, had hoped the suspension would allow for a cooling-off period in order to prevent a schism between the orthodox and more liberal wings of the Dutch community.

However, a speedy solution is now unlikely, the paper argues.