Reply To: (Rabbi) Avi Weiss

I was not interested in Loshon Hora or the satisfaction of bashing someone I deem inferior (I did not say I thought he was inferior). I was uncomfortable & saddened when I saw a Baptist Choir & band on the Bimah, in front of the Aron where the Kohanim stand to Duchan. I was embarrassed by Rabbi Weiss’ speech before the singing, done in the “call & response” style of Gentile preachers in their churches. In my heart, (not halachically; I’m not a posek) I paskened against Rabbi Weiss when he lead the congregation in a chorus of “Ayy-MEN, Ayy-MEN, Ayy-MEN’ & “Glory, Glory, Hallelu…” from the same place where the Torah is read.

I agree that a good relationship between the Jews & non-Jews of The Bronx is essential. I don’t argue that Dr. King decried anti-Semitism. My personal opinion (no, I’m not Rabbi Weiss’ Rebbe, nor is he mine), is that there would have been a better venue in which to hold this session, and Rabbi Weiss could have shown just as much respect and admiration for Dr. King in a well-worded, eloquent speech as he did emulating a Baptist preacher in the Mikdash Me’at.

Here in the CR, we have members from the full spectrum of Yiddishkeit. I was interested to know how others felt about the event. Perhaps there are some are talmidim of Rabbi Weiss who would, not so much apologize for or justify his actions, but rather shed a positive light what had transpired.

Well stated- 29