Halfway Home for Open Scouting

The BSA "may" vote to admit openly gay youth this week, even as they affirm the ban on gay adults.  They are "halfway there," but the thinking deserves serious attention.

The national organization of the BSA is dominated by powerful blocks of charter organizations that come from religious organizations which condemn homosexuality as a matter of creed.  That is their right in a country which believes in freedom of religion.  However, a significant minority of the national BSA pie chart is also made up of liberal religious units and civic organizations which uphold not only the equality of homosexuality in scouting, and often the morality of it as well.

It would seem that the BSA national board can either let the majority rule the morality question, thereby forgoing religious freedoms for the minority in their midst, or they can assert the priority of religious freedom and allow the question to be solved at the local level by individual charter units.

Scouts has decided to do neither. Instead, they will vote this week on a seemingly bizarre position with no amendment process nor any empowered and relevant debate. The decision will be to allow (or not) openly gay youth to be scouts.  Openly gay adults will still be barred from membership or participation in the BSA - at least for now.

Clearly, the position is absurd. An 18 year old gay eagle scout will suddenly be banned from volunteering in his own unit as an adult.  "Here's your Eagle.  Congratulations. Now get out."

Similarly, the venturing program goes to age 21, and their gay scouts would be allowed to register for years after the other branches of scouting would have thrown them out. It is messy to be sure. So why do it this way?

First, the national board clearly has no intention of letting local units get in front of them and empower themselves to preach their own messages.  This need for central control is contrary to the entire ethos of scouting. Scouting touts that the boys and the unit run an "inverted pyramid" at the grassroots level.  So much for that.

It is also clearly contrary to the statement of Religious Principles of the BSA as I have often argued already. The national organization should be ashamed on these grounds alone.

But the real issue here is also money. The voting blocks of anti-inclusion units simply don't care - or worse may actually be happy - when liberal groups boycott scouting.  There is a growing feeling that they do not want scouting's pluralist past to be its future.  They want a homogeneous social fabric, even if it is smaller than it was, to avoid their children ever being exposed to things like - well - gays... but also liberal Jews, Episcopalians, or other similarly minded people. They want them out of scouting. And they are willing to shoulder the financial burden of the slimmed and purified movement that they are creating.

So why change anything at all?  If they want to continue to alienate the rest of us, why not really antagonize us and reassert the policy at the youth level as they did last summer?

In fact, they may do that this week.  The inclusion proposal seems to be slipping in the anecdotal polls. Yet perhaps there is hope that they have a reason to update the youth policy.  The main reasoning follows:

By changing the youth policy to be inclusive, they are willing to forgive the perceived sins of the gay child, in hope that their message will buy time for the gay youth to reform themselves before turning 18.  Some seem to feel that the gay child should be kept in the fold as an act of kindness, love and hope that it is only a phase - and what better than scouting to provide the moral context to help them grow out of it?

For the rest of us, it is small comfort to see "progress" expressed in this way. Yet, we should still hold our noses and vote yes on the compromise.  Why?  Because there is no second step unless the first step is made.  Let's get the youth policy right.  And then we will keep hammering at the adult policy from within as we move forward.

One brave council that I know of has made the following statement.  I wish that my council and others would follow suit:


Patriot's Path Council Membership Policy Statement

Patriot's Day and Yom HaAtzmaut

Both Israel and the United States of America were founded by peaceful emigration followed by violent wars for independence.  There are times in the course of human events when freedom and hope are challenged by oppression, injustice or avarice. As democracies, both nations hold core values that stand against capricious violence, prejudice, and oppression.  And both are at the bullseye of the terrorist elements in the world. This is not coincidence.

Both Israel and the United States have internal elements who hold on to a mythology of government oppression. In fact, peaceful and participating members of both societies enjoy civic privileges, government services and personal freedoms that are the envy of the world.  Both Israel and the United States have external enemies who fan the flames of international discord and war by claiming that we are destroying and conquering their cultures, stealing their natural resources and lying about our true belief in peace.  In fact, the spread of American cultural and economic influence is organic to the human condition in the world: we are attractive and the peoples of many other countries want what we have, and want to be much like us.  This social and economic revolution towards democracy and capitalism - diversity and empowerment - is a threat to all who seek power for its own sake.

The bomb is only a patriot's tool in a time and place where oppression, injustice and prejudice rule the people by force and despotism.  A bomb against the Nazi government is a blow for justice.

But a bomb against civilians - whether on a bus in Jerusalem or Bulgaria, or at the JCC in Argentina or at the finish line of the Boston Marathon - is the murderer's tool. Its only purpose is to spread hatred and violence against a world that is free. It is an admission that the murderer's ideas are not convincing to the world around him, and he is simply wrong-headed.  It is hate's hope that from chaos our peaceful freedoms will be become compromised and the world will become more like the mind of the murderer.   Soft targets exist because the society is peaceful and just. They will, in Israel and the United States, always exist.

Now is a time for the Israeli and American friendship to once again come in to play.  Israel has sad experience in protecting soft targets.  Grocery stores, malls, public events, religious services and civic ceremonies all have tremendous visible and invisible security in Israel. Boston, New York, and all of America can continue to grow the security advisor role of Israel for the United States.  The years of cooperation are mutually beneficial, and the relationship between the two can only become stronger in the face of our shared experiences in sorrow.

May the souls of those killed in Boston be protected in the presence of God.  May the wounded be granted full healing through the divine hearts minds and talents of their doctors nurses and counselors, and may the God of justice guide the tools of civilized society to find, prosecute and punish those who pursue terror in their political impotence.

Who is Yair Lapid? Israel Today.

Who is Yair Lapid?

Last week's stunning Israeli elections saw the decline of the Likkud/Israel Beiteinu coalition by nearly 25%, and the advent of Yair Lapid's "Yesh Atid" {"there is a future"} party with a victory of 19 seats out of the 120 in the Kenneset.  The Likkud/Israel Beiteinu, plus other right wing and religious parties won a total of 60 seats, but needed 61 to form a government.  If Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tries to form a coalition with anyone to the left of Lapid, he will certainly lose coalition members from the right wing.  Yair Lapid is suddenly the most influential man in Israel.

Lapid's professional history as a journalist and television analyst is well known.  And his biography as a secular son of a major political figure who founded the now defunct shinui party is also well known.  But with this public a personality, do we know who Lapid really is?

Lapid has an historian's eye on Israel.  He is well versed in the origin and development of the ethos of the Israeli population as well as the economic and social struggles the various constituencies experience.  He is an adept politician who can speak the language of the audience while maintaining a frank agenda of his own.  And he is ambitious to lead, with the confidence of one who firmly believes that his cause is not just correct but just. Like him or not, agree with him or not, he is just beginning in this game and he will be around for a long time.

The following video on YouTube will help you know who he is better.  It is 25 minutes long, but well worth the effort.  English subtitles are provided and, though glossed over in one or two places, the translations are excellent.

Here Lapid goes into the Lion's den: a  highly religious Haredi College audience.  He lays out his understanding of the role of the Haredi population as central to the well being and future of Israel, while insisting in no uncertain terms that they come out of their ghettos (his word) and take responsibility for the well being of all Israelies.  He admits a history of anti-Haredi sentiment in the Zionist cause, yet shows how in every field the Haredi have already won those battles.  As "winners" he challenges the Haredim to consider their role as leaders of the mixed tribes that make up Israel today.

While the video doesn't show the audience's response or questions, it is a fascinating snap shot of this exact moment between Israel Secular and Haredi world views.

Yair Lapid at Kiryat Ono College, in Kiryat Ono, Israel - 10 miles east of Tel Aviv.

Yair Lapid Speaks to Haredi Israelis

Scouting for Equality: Will the BSA get it right at last?

Mr. Wayne Perry, President

Boy Scouts of America 

1325 Walnut Hill Lane 

P.O. Box 152079 

Irving, Texas 75015-2079

Dear Mr. Perry,

As a Rabbi, Charter Organization Head, Cubmaster, BSA Chaplain, Northern New Jersey Council Member at Large, father of 3 cubs, supporter of Friends of Scouting and member of the Jewish Committee on Scouting...

...I was thrilled to hear that the national policy of the Boy Scouts of America on homosexuality may finally be changed to no longer conflict with the Declaration of Religious Principles.  

Just this year my own children's Jewish Day School refused to renew its charter over this issue.  

The morality of homosexuality is informed by the religious community to which a scout, and/or a charter organization belong.  My religion teaches me that homosexuality is a valid creation of God.  The national organization must not abrogate BSA's own Declaration of Religious Principles by vetoing my approval of scouts and scouters in my synagogue's scouting program.

I recognize that other religions, and even other denominations of my own religion, interpret this teaching differently.  That is precisely why the national organization must leave the matter up to the conscience of the individual scout and scouter, or to the house of worship if it is a religious charter organization.

I was sent an e-mail saying that your board is "actively considering an end to their national ban on gay and non-theist members and leaders. Chartered organizations that oversee and deliver scouting would accept membership and select leaders consistent with their organization's mission, principles or religious beliefs, said Deron Smith, a spokesman for the Boy Scouts'..."

Please confirm that this is true.  

I have, while in the Heart of America Council and here in New Jersey, always said that this is the only policy consistent with scouting's core values of religious diversity in service to God and Nation.  

If we can affirm the priority of the Declaration of Religious Principle in this matter, it will help in my recruitment and my ability to find tangible support for scouting in my region.

I look forward to your timely reply.

Yours in Scouting,

Rabbi Robert L. Tobin

CC: Stephen Gray, Scout Executive NNJC

New Jewish Cub Scout Pack 365 Is Open To All

B'nai Shalom is excited to announce a new Shomer Shabbat, Shomer Kashrut Cub Scout Pack in West Orange.  Jewish Scouting is a time-honored program of character and leadership training for our boys of all backgrounds and skill levels. Boys learn outdoor skills, character values, and citizenship all within a Jewish context.

Pack 365 (The number of "Positive Mitzvot" in the Torah), is open to all boys grades 1-5, and has a mix of day school and religious school families.  Shabbat is fully observed while camping, Kashrut(kosher laws) is observed with mainstream packaged hekhshers only (O/U, StarK, etc). The pack is open to all boys and adult volunteers of any family background, without prejudice, and is chartered by Congregation B'nai Shalom, 300 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange NJ 07052.

For more information contact Rabbi Tobin at B'nai Shalom, 973-731-0160, rabbitobin@bnaishalom.net

Of Hurricanes and Chesed

As I write this article, most of my congregation is without power or heat.  By the time you receive it, God willing, Hurricane Sandy will be but a recent memory for most of us.  At times like this, we all seek to care for our loved ones, and do what is possible for our congregation, community and region.  We find ourselves seeking – seeking comfort, gasoline, information and ideas.  And we bump up against the unanticipated situation or reaction.  Nerves fray, and people act out.  Yet always we must let our actions be driven by gemillut chesed: genuine Kindness.

The most tragic stories of the Hurricane drive home the point. There is the young mother on Staten Island who knocked on a door begging for help, and was turned away, only to lose her two young children’s lives in the flood outside. Chesed saves lives. Anger fear and selfishness destroy lives.

Here at B’nai Shalom I am proud of our community.  I am proud of those who responded through chesed.

Through a network of mobile phones, portable wifi cards and laptops we were able to stay in touch with the community of “smart phones” on a daily basis. We received multiple positive letters thanking us for being in touch and affirming that no one was alone. And we used the auto-dialer to call the congregation with offers of help and meals. Personal networks reached out to the elderly and the homebound.

We held “flashlight minyanim” for a couple of days.  Then, we were fortunate to get power on the evening of Day 3, so we immediately opened the doors to the shul for warmth and weekday charging all day, every day until power was restored.  Volunteers kept the doors open well into the evening. We scrambled, following a tip from members, to offer a Friday night dinner from Reuben’s and we cooked for 175 to serve a Kiddush lunch for our members on Shabbat as well.

Knowing the kids were out of school, but available and cold, Rena Casser opened religious school on Shabbat and Sunday to return to normalcy early and provide families a much needed break.

Multiple members of the congregation offered spare beds, couches and in one case a paid hotel room for needy members.  And certainly the vast majority of such acts of kindness went unsung and unknown to all but those directly involved. My family was among the many who slept on couches and floors in the homes of such chesed-filled families.

In the haftarah read on Shabbat Shuvah, the prophet Micah tells us (7:20) “You [God] will grant truth for Jacob and chesed for Abraham, as you swore to our forefathers in days of old.” As always, we are grateful for the gifts of both clarity and kindness in trying times. If the shul can be of service to you and yours, please do not hesitate to give us the opportunity to fulfill our mitzvah of chesed with you.

Rabbi Robert L. Tobin

How to Fight Prejudice - Don't Boycott Scouting

As of January 1, 2013, The Golda Och Academy (a Solomon Schechter Conservative Jewish Day School in West Orange NJ) will join the Reform Movement's boycott of the Boy Scouts of America.  This is an unfortunate and misguided decision, despite its noble moral stance.

In a nutshell, though there has been no official statement made, Golda Och has determined that the national policy of the Boy Scouts of America is incompatible with the values of the school, and that all ties must be immediately severed when the school's current troop and pack charter expire on December 31, 2012.  I agree that the national policy is bigoted and wrong. But the school's stance is uninformed and ill-advised.  The action does not address the issue, but hides from it in the language of moral boycott.

Here is the policy of the Boy Scouts of America. Boy scouts units (troops and packs) may discriminate against inclusion of homosexual adult leaders ("scouters") and youth members ("scouts").  Please note that no troop or pack that has rejected that policy has ever been sanctioned. The policy is not forced upon the units, it is available to the units.  The Golda Och units always rejected that policy, as it is in conflict with the morals and values of the charter institution: the school.

Why does the BSA hold so tightly to this policy of bigotry and prejudice (in my view)? We must understand how morals are viewed in Boy Scouts before we condemn them.

1) The Scout Oath proclaims a duty to God.
2) The Scout Law proclaims that every scout and scouter adheres to certain character traits, including "Reverence."
3) The BSA has a "Declaration of Religious Principle" which is often published, but especially emphasized in Chaplain Training.
4) Individual religious and moral values of conscience are determined by the Individual Scout and Scouter in the context of their own home faith community.
5) Group religious and moral values of conscience are determined by the Charter Organization.
6) Scouting is a BOTTOM UP organization, with boys in charge of the program, rather than Top Down with the national bureaucracy in charge of the program.

So let's look at the key document here:  The Declaration of Religious Principle, as quoted from the BSA website

The Boy Scouts of America maintains that no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation to God and, therefore, recognizes the religious element in the training of the member, but it is absolutely nonsectarian in its attitude toward that religious training. Its policy is that the home and organization or group with which a member is connected shall give definite attention to religious life. Only persons willing to subscribe to this Declaration of Religious Principle and to the Bylaws of the Boy Scouts of America shall be entitled to certificates of membership. 

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Media/Relationships/ManualforChaplainsandAides.aspx

Now, here is the main issue:

Since "the home and organization or group with which a member is connected shall give definite attention to religious life" and homosexuality as a norm is determined in the moral and religious fabric of that home and church/synagogue/mosque/temple life, it is CONTRARY TO THE BOY SCOUTS OWN GUIDING PRINCIPLES TO SET A STANDARD ON THIS ISSUE AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL.

Since over 50% of the national youth in scouting come from Catholic, Mormon and other Charter Organizations that discriminate against homosexuals, the national council represents that majority.  But they are wrong to do so.

There is room for hope and leverage for change.  The language quoted can be, and is being used in the internal debate within BSA about the appropriate or inappropriate nature of the National Policy against homosexual involvement in the BSA.  This Can, and Will change in time because it is untenable as an action against the faith of participating youth and adults.

Now, if we boycott the BSA, we no longer are present.  We are no longer suffering at the hands of religious persecution - which would be contrary to the bedrock principles of the BSA itself.  Would the buses in the south have desegregated if Rosa Parks had boycotted the bus?  No.  She had to get on the bus, sit down, and refuse to move for things to change.

Involvement and Engagement are the routes to change.  But GOA, the Reform Movement, and other boycotting organizations are simply taking the easy moral high ground - and changing nothing.

Except that the boycott does change one thing:  the lives of the boys who are currently in their pack/troop.  These children, who have dedicated themselves to be honest trustworthy loyal helpful friendly courteous kind obedient cheerful thrifty brave clean and reverent as Jews in America have had their unit taken out of their school, and judged for the sins of others.  They are role models for Jewish involvement as citizens.  Their morals, including the morality of inclusion, will no longer be present in this conversation.  They are being told that they should not associate with people who are different, whose morals are different, whose religion is different.  They are being told to get back behind the ghetto walls into a morally and religiously homogeneous world, rather than engage in relationships that can change the world.  It is a loss that they can no longer claim with pride that their scouting represents the best of their school in the world.  That is a change we could - and should - have avoided.