JONAH (organization)
Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing (JONAH), formerly Jews Offering New Alternatives to Homosexuality,[1] is a non-profit organization which is "dedicated to educating the world-wide Jewish community about the social, cultural and emotional factors which lead to same-sex sexual attractions (SSAs). JONAH works directly with those struggling with unwanted same-sex attractions and with families whose loved ones are involved in homosexuality."[2] JONAH operates within the weltanschauung of Orthodox Judaism and focuses on both Jews and non-Jews who deal with any form of sexual confusion with a focus on those who identify themselves as homosexuals or have same-sex attractions. JONAH offers various therapeutic techniques that focus on the underlying issues which lead to unwanted sexual ideation and behavior.[3]
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[edit] History
JONAH was created in 1999 in Jersey City, New Jersey by Theodore and Elaine Berk and Arthur and Jane Goldberg after each family had a son who revealed their homosexuality and they found no adequate Jewish organization to help them.[4][5] Arthur Goldberg is a former secretary-treasurer of the National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality.[1] In 2000, JONAH began providing literature and personal education to gay and bisexual Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and unaffiliated Jews and their families from the tri-state area on supposed methods of reducing and eliminating homosexuality, and became a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Since then, it has expanded to include membership in the United States, Israel, Canada, and various European nations. In 2010, JONAH adopted its current logo.[1]
[edit] Methodology
JONAH emphasizes[6] the Talmudic understanding of homosexuality as "being led astray" (Nedarim 51a) and therefore of being able "to return" (the Jewish principle of teshuvah); JONAH eschews the traditional translation of same-sex sex acts being 'to'eivah' as 'abominations'.[7], but uses the less judgmental term, 'abhorance'. As such, JONAH helps their clients distressed by Same-Sex Attractions alter their sexual orientation. According to JONAH, these attractions may be mitigated and potentially eliminated.[8] JONAH employs the conversion therapy techniques of ex-gay psychologist and Sexual Reorientation Specialist Richard Cohen, which include identifying potential environmental causes of homosexuality and undoing their effects through therapy.[9] In addition to therapy, JONAH employs "mentoring and coaching services, group support, [weekend retreats], seminars and outreach" for its participants, all of which is part of the process of becoming heterosexual.
The Jonah Institute is one of the clinical and educational divisions of JONAH, which is a non-profit 501(c)3 charity.[2] As a Jewish-based organization, JONAH's Directors, Arthur Goldberg and Elaine Silodor Berk, are obligated to reach out and serve the entire community under the principle of tikkum olam (working together with G-d to heal and perfect the world); simultaneously, they are commanded to avoid proselytizing while offering such help. In this respect, both JONAH and the Jonah Institute differ from most other faith-based ministries because they assist non-Jewish individuals and families in a manner which will not threaten their personal religious or secular beliefs. The Institute is staffed by culturally diverse counselors and life coaches who offer comprehensive services and practical skills for creative problem solving so that their clients can attempt to move forward and make the changes they want to make in their lives.[10]
[edit] Controversy
As an organization devoted to assisting men and women who struggle with unwanted SSAs, JONAH has been subjected to a great deal of criticism by LGBT activists. Fundamentally, the opponents of JONAH disagree with the statement that "everyone is capable of overcoming an inclination that is prohibited by the Torah."[11][Need quotation to verify]
Therapy to overcome SSA: The video by Truth Wins Out asserted that Alan Downing, a JONAH councilor, demanded that his participants strip off all of their clothing in front of a mirror in his presence; and that Downing’s clients were told to touch their genitals in front of him.[12]
JONAH's Co-director: was convicted 25 years ago of a white-collar crime in which "none of the investors have lost any of their investment” involving municipal bond issues. [13]
Freedom of Speech: On several occasions[not in citation given], attempts were made to prevent representatives of JONAH from speaking or to pressure supporters to abandon such support. See, for example, [14] Arthur Goldberg was invited to speak at a July 2010 convention of the Association of Orthodox Jewish Scientists. After protests were threatened, his speech was cancelled, but then the Association of Orthodox Jewish Scientists subsequently allowed him to speak at the request of conference participants.[12][15] Dr. Yael Respler of the Jewish Press printed a letter by Goldberg about the incident and initially applauded his work.[15] She later confined her endorsement to "responsible reparative therapy... strictly talk-therapy".[16]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c "JONAH's History". JONAH. http://www.jonahweb.org/sections.php?secId=11. Retrieved 2011-06-28.
- ^ a b Arthur Goldberg. "Jonah Mission Statement". JONAH. http://www.jonahweb.org/sections.php?secId=2. Retrieved 2011-05-10.
- ^ http://www.jonahweb.org/sections.php?secId=2 Remit of JONAH's work
- ^ "IRS 990-EZ, 2009". www.guidestar.org. http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2009/223/674/2009-223674448-06005d56-Z.pdf. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
- ^ Tanya Erzen, Straight to Jesus: Sexual and Christian Conversions in the Ex-gay Movement, University of California Press, 2006, pp. 48-49, 149-150; ISBN 0520245822, 9780520245822.
- ^ Goldberg, Arthur. Light in the Closet. Red Heifer Press, 2008, p. 13.
- ^ Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm (2002). "Judaism and the Modern Attitude to Homosexuality". JONAH. http://www.jonahweb.org/sections.php?secId=90. Retrieved 2011-06-28.
- ^ Ben Newman (2003). "Is Change Really Possible?". JONAH. http://www.jonahweb.org/sections.php?secId=227. Retrieved 2011-06-28.
- ^ Elaine Silodor Berk; Arthur A. Goldberg. "JONAH'S Psycho-Educational Model for Healing". JONAH. http://www.jonahweb.org/sections.php?secId=121. Retrieved 2011-06-28.
- ^ "The Jonah Institute". http://www.jonahinstitute.com. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
- ^ Goldberg, Arthur (Fall). "A Discussion with Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky on SSA". Hakirah Magazine 13: 3.
- ^ a b Steve Lipman (2010-07-27). "Controversy Over Therapy For ‘Curing’ Homosexuals". Jewish Week. http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/new_york/controversy_over_therapy_curing_homosexuals. Retrieved 2011-06-28.
- ^ "JONAH's History: Notes and Clarification". JONAH. http://jonahweb.org/sections.php?secId=11. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
- ^ Rosenbluth, Susan L.. "On the Right and Left of the Modern-Orthodox Community, Dealing with Homosexuality Is Out of the Closet and on the Table". The Jewish Voice and Opinion, p.17-29. http://jewishvoiceandopinion.com/pdf/201008.pdf. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
- ^ a b Yael Respler (2010-11-04). "Dear Dr. Yael". Jewish Press. http://www.jewishpress.com/pageroute.do/45901/. Retrieved 2011-06-28.
- ^ Yael Respler (2011-01-05). "Dear Dr. Yael". Jewish Press. http://www.jewishpress.com/pageroute.do/46713/. Retrieved 2011-06-28.
