Friday 7 February 2014

Letter from the Headmaster of Hasmonean High School

This was sent to the parents of pupils at the school today:

"Dear Parent(s)

As you are aware Hasmonean has an extensive guest speaker programme which gives students access to a broad spectrum of views.

However, an article has appeared in the Jewish press about a recent speaker at the boys' Beis programme. The speaker in question has been associated with certain views regarding some of the more disadvantaged members of society, though these views were not in any way conveyed to the students.

The invitation for this Rabbi to speak was a genuine mistake, as the person who invited him had been presented with very good references and was not aware that he was a controversial figure.

It is not a surprise that some elements of the Jewish media will feel the need to use this event to criticise the school. However, on this occasion, I do feel the concerns raised have some justification.

We will be speaking to the boys to reinforce the views of the school and make clear that it is our duty to show love, care and consideration to all elements of society and especially to those in disadvantaged circumstances.

I thank you, as always, for your understanding and continued support.

Wishing you a good shabbos.

Rabbi D Meyer
Executive Headteacher"

Wednesday 5 February 2014

Yosef Mizrachi and his vile views

Yosef Mizrachi is a New York based kiruv or outreach Rabbi. He is highly regarded in various communities around the world, mostly in Mizrachi and Ultra Orthodox communities.



However, some of his views are repugnant (as you will see below) and a group of us believe he should not be given a platform for his views.

In January 2014, Rabbi Mizrachi embarked on a lecture tour of Orthodox Sephardi congregations in London, England. After complaints from members of the Jewish Community, at least one of his planned lectures was cancelled.

Mizrachi has started pulling videos of his lectures from youtube as they expose some of his nasty views, here is a selection of some that we have managed to salvage.

Video 1
Mamzers and blind people are punished for their past life behaviours and deserve no sympathy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUgz-bqvntU&list=PL3w1tjfs1hNBXohVnHieNyDLX_5sRoXGa&index=6
Here is what he says (direct quote) about mamzers (illegitimate children) and blind people:
"...he is not a poor kid, he’s a big criminal that was chosen from among the other criminals to be the mamzer of that family, you understand? Same thing a person is born blind, poor kid, was born blind, why? God? What do you know? Did you know how many dirty movies he was watching in his previous life. Now he’s blind.”

Video 2
Down's Syndrome and Autism are punishments for past life sins:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlAndoVbFvI&list=PL3w1tjfs1hNBXohVnHieNyDLX_5sRoXGa&index=1

Video 3
Jump to 46m he makes accusations about the cause of the Holocaust, and 'explains' why women get breast, womb and brain cancer; and why men get prostate and brain cancer:
http://youtu.be/_YEDz2SSeKI

Video 4
Mixed parties/weddings leads to cancers and accidents:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8Z-e4FM-8M&list=PL3w1tjfs1hNBXohVnHieNyDLX_5sRoXGa&index=2

Video 5
Secular women who died in the Holocaust had no dignity as they waited for the gas chambers:
(lost for now)

Video 6
In this video, the Rabbi explains how people who are born gay are being punished for having chosen to be gay in their previous life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoEeb9HtRlU

Video 7
Rabbi Yosef Mizrachi defends a mohel with herpes performing direct mouth to wound procedure during a berit mila, a procedure not required by Talmudic (Jewish) law and one that has been shown to cause permanent brain damage and death in a child every yea…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLJYWGFCrYo&list=PL3w1tjfs1hNBXohVnHieNyDLX_5sRoXGa&index=7


The Jewish Chronicle has been covering the controversy of Mizrachi's visit to the UK, here is the first article and here is the second article.

Update - 8th Feb, new article on Mizrachi over at failed messiah.

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This page has been setup simply to create awareness of his views, if you are considering hosting Yosef Mizrachi at your synagogue or community centre, you might want to consider these public views first!