Issues and Positions

IPA Leadership Development

Initial OU response printed in Aug.5 Times Magazine
August 06, 2007
Noah Feldman's highly personal essay raises many issues with which the American modern Orthodox Jewish community grapples as we seek to be faithful to our ancient tradition while engaging with the modern world (July 22). But it is the difficulty of this challenge that makes a person's choices so critical, and it is with many of Feldman's choices that we disagree.

It was Feldman's choice to send as clear a signal as he could, through his marriage, that he was rejecting fundamental principles of the community. His expression of surprise at the reaction of the community's institutions, including his alma mater, where he was taught these principles, strains credulity.

The challenge of balancing an ancient tradition with modern times demands, more than anything else, proper perspective between competing values. Feldman's references to the murderers Goldstein and Amir point to what can happen, in the worst case, when one loses this balanced view of Jewish life. Feldman's own life seems to be a testament to what can happen when one loses the balance between engaging with modern culture and a core commitment to Orthodox tradition and continuity, which so many others continue to maintain with dignity and much fulfillment.

Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb
Executive Vice President
Orthodox Union
New York

You can also view the letter, as it appears on the New York Times website.

Email Sign Up

Be an activist
Action Alerts
Be informed
Washington Wire

IPA Blog