Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins writes on the article http://www.jwire.com.au/religious-liberals-on-the-way-down-asks-bill-rubinstein/
Considering Emanuel Synagogue is the largest synagogue in Australia and continuing to grow, and younger people in particular endorse our understanding of Torah based Judaism, I cannot disagree more strongly with his opinion which is not based in fact or evidence.
Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins
Emanuel Synagogue
Sydney
Stating that “I disagree” without giving reasons is puerile. Membership is a measure of popularity rather than commitment to and understanding of Judaism.
When Reform (to me now Deformed) Judaism makes a big deal out of koshrut but chooses to celebrate same sex marriage defined as and abomination punishable by death in the bible and when services are all in Hebrew, like in the bad old days when congregants rattled off prayers they didn’t comprehend and social, green, interfaith and migrant (read economic invaders) issues, our movement is in deep trouble. Trouble caused by our rabbis who have lost their way but still pretend to lead.
Well said R’Jeffrey. Our enemies will never destroy us but we might just destroy ourselves from within if old fashioned prejudices and biases are fostered and continued. Let’s get on with being Jews not particles of the whole.
Absolutely correct Rabbi – and TBI (Reform) and Kehilat Nitzan (Masorti) continue to grow as young families wanting an egalitarian welcoming service see that there is a place for them in the Jewish community.