hide what their real goal is

AnonymousAugust 20, 2013 at 2:19 AM

I don't know who your question is directed at, but I have an opinion. My problem with kiruv is the deception. They are not up front from the beginning that their goal is to make people ultra orthodox. In fact, groups such as Meor go out of their way to hide what their real goal is. They invite kids on practically free trips to Israel with camel rides, rafting, camping under the stars, swimming in the Mediterranean, museums, antiquities, exotic food and beautiful girls/boys. Oh, and learning about Jewish history is in there too. The fact is, kiruv trips to Israel are intended to lure kids away from their families long enough for kiruv workers to work their brainwashing magic on them. It's bait & switch. It's dishonest. It's a lie.

If they want to be truthful they should start by admitting that their goal is to recruit kids into ultra orthodox judaism. Then, tell them what an ultra orthodox life means: no more frat parties, no girlie magazines, giving up the foods you love, the sports you love, wearing the black hat uniform or long skirt, going on a communication blackout every Friday night to Saturday night, probably changing your career goals to conform with religious calendars, missing family events such as weddings that don't meet ultra orthodox standards, and on and on. Let kids make an informed choice about whether to become religious based on facts, not on ridiculous fantasies about family heritage and tradition.

When you accept a free dinner in exchange for listening to a presentation about vacation time share units you know what you're in for - an evening of intense sales pitches. When groups like Meor take college kids to Israel neither the kids or their parents have any idea that they're in for a week of intense sales pitches. This is dishonest. It's wrong. It's immoral. It's deceptive.

The organized pursuit of college kids must stop. The predatory nature of kiruv and treating college students as fair game to be lured into an ultra orthodox life is shameful, embarrassing, disrespectful, and gives all Jews a bad name.

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