22 opinion&analysis The Australian Jewish News OPINION& sometimesoverpoweringly. whichfight this norm, impulsesin the human being Aswith all norms, there are options the down Closing Tackling homophobia in according to according “norm”, a as homosexuality promotes which strategy overall the homophobia,but preventing of goal laudable the not is program anti-bullying the with Theproblem the Familyof Australian journal the in Association,published article an In bullying in schools. In the wake of the controversy Rabbi Cowen explains his position,while his explains Cowen Rabbi controversyschools. wakethe in the ofbullying In homophobic tackle to programs about concerns his Civilisation,expressed and of Judaism director for TheInstitute Rabbi Moshe Gutnick Moshe Rabbi ANALYSIS jewishnews.net.au – esto aot eult, ht our sexuality, what aboutversation politicalcorrectness, opentothecon- that through break to have Weties. integrity universi- must return the to ties. Intellectual freedom, opennessintellectual and conformity in the universi- inthe street issmalla reflex theof big Conversationalpersonnel. shutdown begins in the university, which trainseducation its bodies and public service all rectness in the major media, in wasclosedsoulthe– down. state Political cor- mind to mind, mind to soul converse said. to – ableand been should have soul to I whatDiscussion in the university, of where representationsone morethanthe internet rabble mis-of cal correctness. This disturbs me much demiais the reign ofaseamless politi- greatparadoxes contemporaryof aca- the of hold. One not do view they which a silence and censure to also negatedreligious tradition, but sought fromme.doingBy this theynotonly disassociation its and university the secure a condemnation of my articlesity by with which I am affiliated sought to requires a discussion. personbyhis allorher that Creator – required a tradition, is of what of of tobecomeculture aware– ofthe soul, merged as in so – much contemporary knows it. Where the soul has been sub-Creator,the human soul, where inuse the Creator and the small mirror of thehomosexual impulse was prohibited compassion.by Still the indulgence of the viewedit,thisbeandcanwithmuch times people cannot even struggle with ingly. some- struggle it, We with can fight this norm, sometimes which beingoverpower- human the impulses in and woman. which is the heterosexual unionuniversalofset norms,a withof ofoneman time over resonate traditionhuman hasitand not I? The human soul and knowswhatthe truth maybe –is s/he respect another’s practice because who ativism,with itsargument thatmust I false meaning of tolerance is moral rel- source real andmeaning tolerance. theof isThe love actuality. This into or her best potential sought and helped B Rabbi Dr Shimon Cowen. Shimon Dr Rabbi A group of academics at the univer- are there norms, all with As being should be loved and his Creator, its humanof every has a soul made in the image ECAUSE everyhuman being and Dr Jonathan Barnett Jonathan Dr n rcie I ti i btas the betrays it homosexuals. this In practice. in transformation least self-control at or compassandthegreatest resource for what resides in the soul: peace, a moral son, it takes away from the homosexualing the soul from the picture ofand the inclination, per- as its “fate”. By whichremov-the person isdriven byimpulse and mind. Its construes body onlythe philosophy knowsdirection SSCV in includingheterosexualthe norm.The ingwith the laws that its Creator gave, its Creator, which is capable of resonat-beingthe– soul made inthe image of human the of model its into “soul” a build not does SSCV ages. The all consequenceshas homosexuals for of norm? The philosophy of this program stirredto move towards a heterosexual will they emerge from it, if theyidentity are laterat a very homosexualyoung aage. into locked How be easilywould program this within Childrenchild. homosexual the to program SSCV ual child. the injustice to the naturally heterosex-cent into homosexual identities. Thatmature is into heterosexual otherwise would whom and of three cent per per children, 97 homosexualitytivate in sexual identity. This could actually cul-per cent of all children experience fluiddevelopmentala stage, whento26up intoa homosexual identity is wrong at children,inclined,feelwhoso lockto encouraging SSCV’s the (4) Finally anti-bullyingstrategy should betaken. thebullying offat children. Adifferent celebrating bythan stop “obesity” to “celebrating” homosexuality, any morethe bullying of homosexual children bygions. (3) It is not necessary to counter the Child to be raised in their own reli-NationsConventions ontheRights of the United and Constitution both Australian by guaranteed freedom practices breaches the as right of heterosexualreligious practices with normative equally homosexual of dren educational modelling young chil- to tion) is non-normative. (2) The (asSSCV’sdistinct from homosexual orienta- view that the practice of homosexualityexplained the Jewish and Noahide tionlaws’ of sexual diversity”. (1) The article(SSCV), involves which “celebra- the SafetheSchoolsof Coalition Victoria regardtheto“anti-bullying” program deal with difficulties along the way. Creator wants of us with it, and how to Butthere alsoisinjusticean thein points with four article madeMy director of the Institute of Judaism and Rabbi Shimon Cowen is the founding share their opinions on the issue.the on opinions their share Civilisation. human condition human the of Therealities f hs ise i te lsro. A classroom. the in issues these of aware be to teachers trains that gram pro- Jewish-focused American-based, society.homophobic inantly predom- a livein westill because lying These students face ostracism and bul- are who classrooms becoming aware of their homosexuality. their in dents stu- with compassionately and tively to sensi- deal to how of in teachers educate seek to bodies Council other and Victoria Community Jewish the of decision the be to seems It article? condition.human the of realities the over precedence takes view, his in that, principle ideological an on “norm” his bases rabbi the als, behaviour, homosexu- of human experience the including on of “norm” the observations basing than Rather and it. fit not do “norm”,whohomosexual those are a is There lead. should person a that life of style the defines it Cowen, Rabbi what is “normative” really matters since For conduct”. sexual hetero- with normative equally is duct con- homosexual that schoolchildren all teach to pretext a as bullying “using is it claims he campaign, anti-bullying an of part as homosexuality about ers teach- educating of value the rejecting repeatedly in his article. For example, in word“normative”,the usesin whichhe Cowen’sRabbiremarks. from Jewry Australian distancing Jewry Australian of Council Executive the from release press a gay“delusional”.quotes arealso It Jewish views rabbi’s the that saying group,as Melbourne’s Aleph, of M report in report broadsheet free the of page front the made views his Unfortunately Association. Family Australian the of journal the in article an in recently did homosexuality that are so hurtful and damaging, about as he views express Cowencan Rabbi like individual caring image.God’s in ated appreciate cre- be to to us of each for meanswhat it able is who someone man, compassionate a also is he that Progressiveing synagogues, showedhe Chabad strictures on their rabbis enter- Sir despite father funeral, state Cowen’s Zelman his at Israel Beth Temple condition. human the of realities the ignore behaviour “normative” MorganFred schools,in programs anti-bullying homosexual on article controversial Cowen’s Shimon Dr Rabbi to Responding “Keshet”, meaning “rainbow”, is an is “rainbow”, meaning “Keshet”, Cowen’s Rabbi precipitated What The crux of the rabbi’s argument lies a prlxd teeoe hw a how therefore, perplexed, am I mX Rabbi Dr Shimon Cowen Shimon Dr Rabbi quoted a leading member leading a quoted pk fo te ia at bimah the from spoke he man.gentleWhen a is he that is Cowen Shimon Dr Rabbi of impression Y says his views on views his says Rabbi The mX. Rabbi Fred MorganFred Rabbi their deepest sense of self.of sense deepest their expressing in confidence them giving and attack, and prejudice from protecting them them, among differences is the recognising by students their all to what and support offer to rather but “abnormal”, “normative” is what declare to not there are who teachers heterosexuals.as exploring sexuality their are who students as much as exploration that in supported be to maygayor theybe needare lesbian or that awarebecoming are whostudents fact, in homosexual is population the in fact. are people how is – reality about are what behave. about should They people how lay down to seek not not do They “normative”. are pro- similar grams and Keshet that is look identity.sexual their with terms to are come to who struggling students to support give to how train about schools Jewish to in teachers used be should Keshet like does not seem to believe that programs to CowenAustralia.Keshet Rabbi bring to Melbourne in up groupset been has ing views in public.in views ing to instinct damag- his and judgmental these express curb and discipline about the importance of practising self- respect, much might take on board his own very comments I whom Cowen, Rabbi about use Cowen’s to views. But I suggest that Rabbi word a strong Cowenfor.allows Rabbi under- than homosexuality nuanced of standing more world far a is there Modern-Orthodox the within even and community; lesbian and the gay of needs the and rights the both vanguardthe in been acknowledgingin today.availableJudaism within Cowen’sone Rabbionly the not viewis condition. realitiesof the human precedenceover the that,in his view, takes ideologicalprinciple baseshis “norm” on an homosexuals,the rabbi theexperience of behaviour,including observationsof human the“norm” on Ratherthan basing hy ed o e upre by supported be to need They percentageof appreciable an Since over- to seems Cowen Rabbi What Dlsoa” s nobel too undoubtedly is “Delusional” has movement Progressive The that mention to important is It Rabbi Fred Morgan is the senior rabbi at Temple Beth Israel, Melbourne. ,founding Friday, February 24, 2012 24, February Friday, , OPINION&ANALYSIS Friday, February 24, 2012 The Australian Jewish News – jewishnews.net.au 23 the schoolyard

The Orthodox view explained Rabbi Moshe Gutnick believes able to deal with that challenge, they must always be made to feel welcome there is no place for homophobia and they must never be made to feel in authentic Judaism. that they lose their Jewish identity or ability to worship as a Jew. There is no HERE is no doubt that the place for “homophobia” in authentic Torah forbids male homosex- Judaism; there is no place for being ual acts. The prohibition exists judgmental. Indeed every command T whether or not homosexuality of the Torah must be observed, but is considered by society normal or that includes the command that we abnormal, or whether or not scientif- love as ourselves, even one who trans- ically it is considered a matter of gresses. There is “no one righteous on genetic predisposition or a learned Earth, that does only good and never behaviour. The Torah, in its divine sins”. wisdom, forbids such behaviour However, the prohibition remains. regardless of the answer to the above Therefore, no Jew believing in Torah questions, and while it may even be or the seven Noahide laws for all Would one expect of an Orthodox school, where perhaps someone was being that a person has no choice as to their mankind (loosely termed the Judaeo- sexual orientation, they always have a Christian ethic) can be asked to bullied for not observing the laws of kashrut, to combat that bullying by choice whether or not to engage in a accept a program that “celebrates” “celebrating” the eating of non-kosher food? prohibited act. homosexuality. While bullying in any Indeed, one of the most difficult form is abhorrent, including the bul- challenges facing the rabbinate is how lying of someone because of their engaged in that behaviour would be A Torah school would teach the upon the seven Noahide laws, cannot to authentically convey that message sexual orientation, the solution is not permissible. Bullying is abhorrent mishnaic dictum “do not judge your celebrate homosexuality; but it can while retaining the dignity of the to “celebrate” an orientation that is and unacceptable, regardless of the fellow until you are in his position”, celebrate the observance of all the individual and without harming their against Torah teaching. In the absurd, reason and whether or not that rea- and since one can never truly know commandments – including the tol- self-esteem. Indeed the challenge is would one expect of an Orthodox son has any legitimacy, or whether or what another person goes through – erance and acceptance that have greatest for the individual himself, school, where perhaps someone was not it can be celebrated. you may never judge them! A Torah always been part of the dual creed who may have a homosexual orienta- being bullied for not observing the Instead, to stop bullying, a Torah school would teach that every Jew, that we have taught the world, that tion but wishes to be observant of, if laws of kashrut, to combat that bully- school would celebrate the intrinsic regardless of level of observance, one must “love thy neighbour as thy- not all the commandments, as many ing by “celebrating” the eating of worth of every human being – cre- including sexual orientation, is wel- self”, and that all humans are created as he is able – and at the very least non-kosher food? Indeed, to take ated in the image of God – regardless come in our synagogues and our “b’tzelem elokim” – in the image of accepted by his fellow Jew. We must such an approach would imply that if of their level of observance, and homes, and the Torah is equally the God. never underestimate the enormity of a particular behaviour could not be regardless of any difference they may heritage of all. that challenge. “celebrated” or if it was legitimately display, whether it be sexual orienta- A Torah school, and indeed any Rabbi Moshe Gutnick is president of the Whether or not an individual is inappropriate, bullying of a person tion or anything else. school in a society that must be based Organisation Rabbis of Australasia.

If ‘Safe Schools’ isn’t the answer, what is?

Dr Jonathan Barnett respect to its mission to prevent in the Jewish community so that nity); we are required to reach out, staff and facilitate education for explains the need for, and bullying. The SSCV is more than they can come together to learn be an ally and a friend. their members and volunteers this; it strives to create a safe envi- how to best develop and lead ini- The Keshet Program addresses relating to these issues. aims of, Keshet Australia, an ronment for young people in tiatives to address acceptance and some of the key findings of the organisation supporting GLBT Victorian schools. Keshet diversity issues. The program JCCV’s Report of the GLBT members of the Jewish Australia strives to do this within shares specific skills and tech- Reference Group, 2011, some spe- All rabbis should participate in the Jewish community. Keshet, niques to enhance the mental cific examples include: community. which means rainbow in Hebrew, health of GLBT youth by creating All schools could increase the professional development is an organisation whose mission a warm and welcoming environ- level of education within the programs, preferably AY, lesbian, bisexual and is to achieve the full inclusion of ment for all youth. It does so in a school so that students are aware under the auspices of their transgender (GLBT) GLBT Jews of all ages, sects, and Jewish context, focusing on Jewish that same-sex attraction, bisexual- children are in our philosophies in Jewish life. Keshet values and text. ity and transgender are not “con- rabbinical association, relating Gschools, our synagogues, Australia’s leadership committee The core value of the program ditions to be cured”; to these issues. our summer camps, our Zionist consists of Orthodox, Progressive is b’tzelem elohim (in God’s Schools [should] develop and programs, in our homes; they are and non-denominational mem- image). As the program teaches, implement discussion programs, all around us. They are part of our bers. It includes GLBT members the “image of God” is reflected in or supplement existing ones, to As Keshet’s programs develop community. But many suffer and allies, parents and friends. the different types of people we ensure acceptance of differences they will reach out to other mem- from depression and anxiety and What sets Keshet Australia apart is encounter in the world. “In God’s of all types, including sexuality ber of the community. feel disconnected. Judaism and our focus on the image” leads to the other six and gender identity; Currently, parents of GLBT Keshet Australia has a primary Jewish community in Australia. Jewish values that form the heart All rabbis should participate in children have no Jewish support goal to help nurture, protect and Keshet Australia’s initial proj- of the program, kavod (respect), professional-development pro- group to turn to. Adult GLBT Jews provide a safe environment for ect will bring a well-established v’ahavtah l’reacha kamocha (love grams, preferably under the aus- often feel alienated by the com- GLBT children. We need to do educational program to our your neighbour as yourself) and pices of their rabbinical munity. this to keep families together. We schools, synagogues and commu- in doing so love our whole selves, association, relating to these Keshet will develop programs need to do this to keep our GLBT nity in early 2013. This “train-the- avoid lashon hara (especially issues. The programs would not to help these and other groups young people within Judaism (no trainer” program was developed words that hurt), foster shalom only ensure they are factually enhance their Jewish connection, matter what their affiliation) and in the US and has the support of bayit (peace in the home), pro- informed but will also ensure they creating a stronger and healthier to not drive them away. the Jewish Community Council mote kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh are able to appropriately counsel Jewish community. Rabbi Dr Shimon Cowen’s of Victoria (JCCV). The pro- (communal responsibility), and their members; and article discussed Safe Schools gram’s goal is to reach out to rab- practice al tifrosh min hatzibur Community organisations Dr Jonathan Barnett is convenor Coalition Victoria (SSCV) with bis, teachers, youth and lay leaders (solidarity of the Jewish commu- should provide training for their of Keshet Australia.