Start charging to comment or access comments like the Tablet does and eliminate the stupid commentary (including this one)...seems like since they started charging no one comments anymore....

"automatically deleted by comments system" but you can find it by googling "trefa banquet"

tried to enter a link to a Commentary article on the same topic

Simchat Torah at BJ has little to do with Torah and more to do with a 60's mosh pit....

Note that the original email from these allegedly "shabbat observant" rabbis was sent at 652p last friday night--while two of them were on the pulpit at the friday night service...here's the followup...they must have been reminded that they are trying to raise $40 million for their grandiose expansion plans (the former Heschel school)...

Dear BJ Community,

In the past few days since we sent our letter to you regarding the UN vote, and following yesterday’s article in the New York Times, we have heard from many of you. We thank you for taking the time to write or call to express your opinions. The depth of feeling expressed has moved us. Some of you found our words very upsetting; for others of you, the message resonated powerfully.

While we affirm the essence of our message, we feel that it is important to share with you that through a series of unfortunate internal errors, an incomplete and unedited draft of the letter was sent out which resulted in a tone which did not reflect the complexities and uncertainties of this moment. The letter omitted key passages honoring the diversity of viewpoints in our community as well as links to a series of articles in the Israeli press representing a range of opinions on the UN vote (see texts and links below).

In addition, our letter, a “Message from the Rabbis”, should not have included the names of our Hazzan, Ari Priven, our Board President, Jeannie Blaustein, our Executive Director, Steve Goldberg, and our Director of Israel Engagement, Orli Moss.

We genuinely love this community. BJ is our home and we have devoted many years building relationships with so many of you. We have achieved a great deal together. We do not take that for granted, and we regret the feelings of alienation that resulted from our letter.

Although we recognize that not all are in agreement with our views, we trust that we will find a way to live with our differences, challenging as that may sometimes be. The three of us are passionate lovers of Israel. We have spent significant parts of our lives there, we have family and friends there, we have traveled to Israel many times with BJ members, and we are unequivocally committed to Israel’s security, democracy and peace. We will continue to devote ourselves to the dignity of Israel, of our people and of all peoples. Let us move forward together.

Sincerely,

Rabbis Roly Matalon, Marcelo Bronstein and Felicia Sol