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Rabbi Chaim Coffman
Rabbi Coffman has helped people from all across the spectrum to prepare themselves properly for Orthodox Conversion to Judaism. His students admire his vast knowledge and appreciate his warm, personal attention and endearing sense of humor.
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Followers

Welcome to Rabbi Chaim Coffman's Blog!

I would like to thank you for visiting my blog, Beyond Orthodox Conversion to Judaism.

The conversion process can be a lengthy and daunting one to say the least and I want you to know that I am here to help you through it.

I have been teaching newcomers to Judaism for over a decade and over the last few years I have seen that conversion candidates really lack the support and knowledge they need to navigate the conversion process and successfully integrate into the Orthodox Jewish community.

I created my mentorship program in order to help make this whole experience as smooth and as painless as possible! (Can't do much about the growing pains, though ;)

Feel free to get to know me a little through the posts on my blog and visit the mentorship and syllabus page if you are interested in possible joining us.

I sincerely wish you all the best in your search for truth and spiritual growth.

Looking forward to meeting you,
Chaim Coffman

My Rebbe, Rav Moshe Sternbuch

In case you were wondering why I have all of these articles written by Rav Moshe Sternbuch, he is my Rebbe, and one of the gedolei hador (greatest Rabbis of our generation).

Rav Sternbuch fully endorses me and supports my mentorship program.

He is the address for all of my halachic or hashkafic (practical and philosophical) questions that I or my students may have.

The articles are based on his weekly talks on the Torah portion that the Rav gives in Jerusalem in his kollel. As a member of the kollel I get first dibbs on the photocopies and I type them up for my blog so you can all benefit from the Rav's erudition and insight.
Sunday, February 14, 2010

Scandal Revisited

Anonymous said...

This is a graceful and useful response to such a discouraging event...important that it is talked about and not brushed under rug, no doubt - but it still hurts in some way. JH

Rabbi Coffman Responds:

Yes it is very important that this issue is addressed. When we are dealing with baalei teshuvah, some try to water down Judaism to the point we can try and bring them back to the fold.

There is some truth to that but in this day and age, sometimes we have to be a little "controversial" to uncover something that people may see and say "Gee, if he is religious how could that person do...."

What should we say, the person didn't do it? The point of that post was that this question addressed hundreds of non-religious Jews! If that is the case, then this organization must have felt that this was a serious enough issue that non-religious Jews had to hear a Torah approach to such a question.

None of the rabbis presenting their case said it never happened, let's change the subject...They dealt with a real issue and gave real answers as well!

It seems that in many ways fluff, meaning writing about touchy-feely type of things that make you feel good and give a little bit of a Torah perspective sells better and you will reach a wider audience.

Definitely true. At the same time, maybe it is time for a reality check and we shouldn't be bothered what people may say or it is not politically correct to say...Maybe none of these things should matter if we are trying to give over the truth.

2 comments:

ohmyheart said...

I agree, it is important to hear from leaders a Torah approach to dealing even with the not-so-fluffy aspects of life and events. Especially when it comes to a scandal within the community, it seems that without such guidance it leads to chaos in regards to people trying to figure out how to stomach such an event, so to speak.

I don't know which scandal you are referring to, but as I've read of some scandals recently, as shocking as it was at first, and a little disconcerting as a convert-in-progress, it was in finding those who were willing to discuss the issues head on, who were attempting to deal with the reality of a situation and the very real effects of a situation, that I found comfort. It seems that by actually dealing with a situation any victims can be taken care of rightfully, and anyone who made a mistake can also be taken care of rightfully. It then becomes an opportunity to strengthen the whole community, it seems, when problems are dealt with and not hushed over. Whereas attempts to brush things under the rug very much weakens the community I think.

And it shows the value and power of Torah in getting us through difficult times.

Anonymous said...

Yes. JH