|
Jonah
The first Jewish outreach organization established to assist men and women working through unwanted same sex attractions was recently announced by Sam Rosenberg, a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and Rabbi. Rosenberg has been chosen to serve as the initial director of JONAH, a group which intends to work with homosexual issues in a manner consistent with Jewish principles as set forth in the Torah. Chartered in the State of New Jersey as "JONAH," the founders chose the name not only to represent the biblical figure who warned the people of Nineveh to return to G-d ('teshuva") but also as an acronym for the phrase, "Jews Offering New Alternatives to Homosexuality." Rosenberg emphasized that the group endeavors to embrace all Jews and to be inclusive, regardless of an individual's religious commitment or lack thereof. As a non-profit organization, the founding group seeks volunteers, funds, and support. The goal is to educate their co-religionists about the causes of same sex attraction and the possibility of change from homosexual to heterosexual. "We believe this is achievable," said Rosenberg, "if the homosexual struggler lives by Torah values, heals his/her unresolved issues, and fulfills unmet emotional needs.". Rosenberg pointed out that it is because the Torah recognizes the capacity of any person to commit a homosexual act, that the Torah strongly forbids the act of homosexuality. Even though the Torah prohibition relates to actions, not thoughts, JONAH recognizes the need to also work with individuals who struggle with homosexual thoughts and impulses but do not act out their homosexual fantasies nor identify themselves with the gay life style. Rosenberg explained, "Jewish ethics require us to offer assistance to those who struggle with homosexuality and to understand how to help men and women with same sex attractions. In today's society, it is important to offer solutions to problems; otherwise, one becomes part of the problem." Rosenberg, a family therapist, was trained at the Family Institute of New Jersey ,received his Master's degree in social work from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work of Yeshiva University, New York, and is an advanced degree candidate at the Contemporary Center for Advanced Psychoanalytic Studies. He received his rabbinical ordination at Yeshiva Torah Vodaath Talmudical Seminary in Brooklyn, New York and officiates at the Elmora Hebrew Center in Elizabeth, New Jersey. In its initial brochure, JONAH points out that the Torah lacks a word for homosexual. Jewish belief considers homosexuality as a learned behavior which can be unlearned. It is not an identity. Rosenberg emphasized that "JONAH intends to reach out, consistent with Jewish values, in spite of the ever-present nature of sexual desire and constant sexual imagery pervading American society." Moreover, Torah tradition is "family centered," celebrating the sanctity of the family. "Thus," continued Rosenberg, "Judaism frowns upon any behavior that undermines family togetherness, be it adultery, bigamy, incest, or same sex attraction." JONAH fills a vacuum on the religious scene. Over the past 20 years, several religious based support groups have been formed, in many cases as ex-gay ministries, to assist those seeking change. However, as Rosenberg points out, every one of them are Christian based. Although many are formed by individual Christian ministers or ex-gays, many of the major denominations sponsor groups. Among the most prominent of these groups are EXODUS International, an umbrella organization for Christian ministries, Courage/Encourage, a Catholic ex-gay ministry and a parent's ministry, Evergreen International, a Morman ministry, One by One, a Presbyterian ministry, Transforming Congregations, a Methodist ministry, PFOX, a Christian ministry for parents, spouses, family members and friends, Homosexuals Anonymous, a Christian recovery group, and several others. Yet, Jews seeking to journey out of homosexuality have nowhere to turn within their own religion. Rosenberg points out that many Jews have sought refuge in Christianity in order to change from homosexuality to heterosexuality. He cites as a particular distressing example the strange anomaly that the only group within Israel currently assisting those seeking to leave a gay lifestyle is a Christian based Messianic group, based in Jerusalem, directed by Izhar Vardinon. "JONAH intends to fill that void, providing resources to those Jewish individuals desiring change, those Jews struggling with same sex attractions, and for family and friends concerned about Jewish loved ones," according to Rosenberg. Evidencing this void which JONAH seeks to fill are the life experiences of therapist Richard Cohen, Director of the International Healing Foundation, author of a book, "Coming Out Straight: Understanding and Healing Homosexuality," and a frequent speaker about the process of transitioning from homosexuality to heterosexuality. Cohen converted from Judaism to Christianity during the period of his life when he struggled with his sexuality. The resources for a Jewish person seeking help and spirituality were simply not present. As someone who made the journey, Cohen points out that many people in religious and social institutions as well as the medical and psychiatric professions have failed these men and women. 'Not only did they ridicule without offering hope for healing," according to Cohen, a former homosexual, "but they exacerbated the wounds of detachment through socialized prejudice and discrimination." Cohen also stated, "I not only struggled with unwanted sexual desires, I struggled equally in trying to find professionals who understood my condition and how to help me heal. It was so difficult trying to explain myself to therapists who did not have a clue." As against the contemporary culture argument that freedom means doing whatever your physical impulses desire, Jewish observance teaches how self discipline in every aspect of life is the prerequisite to freedom. Rabbi Rueven P. Bulka writes in his book " One Man, One Woman, One Lifetime" that Jews who struggle with homosexuality have a mandate "to improve on who you are, through the exercise of free will, and with the help of mental health professionals and spiritual advisors." Rabbi Bulka's injunction is further explained by Rabbi Shimon Apisdorf who writes about the story of JONAH and articulates the meaning of teshuva as "to return"."Teshuva is an animated technique for locating rationalizations that lie at the root of our mistakes - recognizing them, dealing with them and eliminating them," according to Rabbi Apisdorf. Rosenberg said that Rabbi Bulka's advice is important because "the misinformation that homosexuality is untreatable by the mental health profession does incalculable harm both to the homosexual struggler and to society at large." Moreover, said Rosenberg, "many ex-gays who broke out of homosexuality say that the biggest cause for their depression was the enormous pressure to accept their feelings as inborn and unchangeable. That way of thinking made them feel trapped." Cohen not only agrees with the Rabbis but further argues that society should not confuse tolerance and acceptance. Recognizing that the "gay rights movement" has done a great service in bringing the issue of homosexuality out of the closet and into the light, Cohen points out that in the name of tolerance, society has now succumbed to acceptance. "If we embrace someone's homosexuality as normal and natural, their potential for wholeness will remain dormant beneath their emotional wounds. Accepting homosexuality is normalizing detachment both intrapersonally and interpersonally." Opposing the commonly held belief that homosexuality is normal, biologically determined and cannot be changed, JONAH embraces the position of many prominent psychologists who formed NARTH ("The National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality") when they state that there is no scientific data to support either a genetic or biological basis for homosexuality. In fact, according to the statement released by JONAH, same sex attraction or homosexual feelings are the result of several contributing variables. Included among the myriad number of factors set forth by the group: family dynamics, body image inadequacies, individual temperament, social or peer wounds, childhood sexual abuse, and/or cultural factors. Homosexual desires thus represent a defensive response to existing emotional conflicts which are based on unresolved childhood trauma and unmet love needs. Consistent with Jewish tradition, the group will focus its work on the Torah's distinction between the "sin" and the "sinner." When Rabbi Meir, agitated by a heretic, asked G-d to do away with his nemesis, Beruriah, his wife, rebuked him. "We should not pray for the death of the sinner," she argued, we should pray for the end of the sin. We should ask G-d to help the sinner see the light and desist from the sinful behavior."(Talmud, Berakhot, 10a). In a similar vein, the group's announced goal is to help those who either engage in homosexual activity or who fantasize about same sex attractions to desist from this mode of sexual expression. They also intend to work with parents and friends of loved ones who have been trapped in a gay life style. JONAH seeks to be contacted by interested individuals who themselves are struggling with the issues of homosexuality or by parents and friends of those who struggle. They hope to provide support groups, a speaker's bureau for Jewish groups, seminars for interested parties, and referrals to appropriate counselors. They can be reached at:
Home Page | A Personal Letter | Good Books | Helpful Orgs | Readers' Feedback Suggestions, personal
stories, opinions and insights are invited PLEASE NOTE: All letters become property of StraightNews and
may be edited and reprinted in any media. We will not
give your name, address or e-mail without your specific
permission. If
you'd like to help: vol@straight.org This new
page visited This page
hosted by http://geocities.datacellar.net/Heartland/Valley/4014/orgs.html To top | Home Page | A Personal Letter | Good Books | Helpful Orgs | Readers' Feedback |
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE 