New York – Op-Ed By Rabbi Yakov Horowitz: Occupy Beit Shemesh!! Time for the 99% to Be Heard

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    An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man (L) argues with a secular man during a protest against the government's pledge to curb Jewish zealotry in Israel, in the town of Beit Shemesh, near Jerusalem December 26, 2011.. ReutersNew York – The ongoing violence in Beit Shemesh by hooligans has taken an even uglier turn recently as it is being directed against school-age children and their parents. It is now receiving front-page international coverage due to the involvement of Israeli elected officials at the highest levels.

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    As the colossal Chilul Hashem and distortion of genuine Torah values is escalating, it is incumbent on decent Jews worldwide to do our part to distance ourselves from this behavior and loudly proclaim that this is not the way of our Torah. It is of paramount importance that we do so not only before the media and the world at large, but also that we explain this to our impressionable children in the starkest of terms. Our work with children and teens over the years has clearly indicated that “Hate Does not Have an Off Button” – meaning that the toxic message of intolerance is one that has long-term harmful effects.

    Many people in our community insist, “Everyone understands that these are a small bunch of radicals who do not have the support of any rabbinic leaders.” But that is simply not the message resonating around the world nowadays.

    The 1% is getting all the media attention due to the passiveness of the 99%.

    Several years ago, readers of this website conducted our own peaceful “hafgana” (protest) when the demonstrations in Eretz Yisroel were spinning out of control, by writing respectful emails to the editors of The Jerusalem Post and Ha’aretz condemning the violence in the clearest terms.

    By all accounts, it was very successful as each of the papers received more than 100 emails from Jews worldwide. The Jerusalem Post designated a letters-to-the-editor section, where they printed many of the responses and actually wrote a column noting that there was a grass-roots movement by charedi Jews worldwide condemning the violent behavior.

    We respectfully ask that you do the same at this critical time – with the eyes of the world focused on Beit Shemesh. Kindly take a few moments to cut and paste this message or write something along these lines and email them to

    [email protected]

    [email protected]

    [email protected]

    “As a Torah Jew, I am deeply distressed by the harassment and violence in Beit Shemesh – all of which is diametrically opposed to the teachings of our Holy Torah. Lest our silence be misconstrued as passive acceptance of this behavior, we condemn it in the strongest terms, as do the vast, overwhelming, majority of Torah Jews worldwide.”

    We ask that you show public support for this effort by posting your name and the city where you live as a comment on the bottom of this thread so that members of our community and the media at large can see that this is a broad-based effort.

    Thank you very much for your time and may this effort be helpful in restoring k’vod shamayim.

    Rabbi Yakov Horowitz is the founder and dean of Yeshiva Darchei Noam of Monsey, and founder and Director of Project Y.E.S. (Youth Enrichment Services). He is recognized throughout the Jewish community as an authority on raising children in these troubled times.


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    148 Comments
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    jsjcbs
    jsjcbs
    12 years ago

    J. Jacobs
    Manhattan

    12 years ago

    I am sorry Rabbi Horowoitz, you mean well and do much good but you are wrong and have been wrong on this issue before. It is first and foremost the responsibility of the RABBINIC LEADERSHIP to forcefully and explicitly denounce this Colossal Chilul Hashem. It is not enough for them to denounce it because it is a chilul Hashem, but to denounce it because the whole hashkafa of this group that you refer to as the “one percent” is just as treif as eating Chazir and their approach to Yiddishkeit is against Halacha on all levels. The Rabbonim and specifically the Gedolim and we all know who they are, need to come out and say meforash that
    1. There is no issur to sit next to a woman on a bus
    2. It is Assur to ask women to move to the back of the bus
    3. It is Assur to put up signs asking women to only walk on certain sides of a street
    4. It is Assur to spit on another human being and Ain Lo Chelek Lolam Haba to one who does so
    5. It is Assur to call another Jew a “Nazi” and Ail Lo Chelek Lolam Haba to one who does so
    6. It is Assur to sing the Neturei Karta Song
    7. It is Assur to assault or harrass another human being

    Queenbee
    Queenbee
    12 years ago

    I will do just that!! Thank you Rabbi Horowitz!!

    -from Williamsburg, Brooklyn NY

    12 years ago

    Now that all the chashuve rabbonim and gadolim like Rav Horowitz. shlita are speaking out against these hoodlums, their days are numbered. It takes a lot to rouse the sleeping giants of gadolei yisroel but woe to those on the wrong side when it happens.

    some1
    some1
    12 years ago

    Very well said.
    No need to add.

    ichmein
    ichmein
    12 years ago

    See my letter to the papers

    Dear ______
    I am a Charedi Jew living in New York City and I am appalled by the actions of the violent protesters in Jerusalem in Beit Shemesh. Their actions are repulsive and reprehensible, and violate both the letter and spirit of Jewish law. These people are not mainstream in our community. They are a small fringe group that has no support from any segment of our community. The majority of Charedim feel strongly and passionately about our way of life but respect the decisions of others not to live our lifestyle. I urge my fellow Charedim living in Israel to speak out against this fringe group.
    Sincerely,

    12 years ago

    WOW! Awesome!! Go Rabbi Horowitz!!

    12 years ago

    Nice as far as it goes, but doesn’t go nearly far enough. The hatred for modern orthodoxy among the Chareidim has long, deep roots, taught by its leadership, and this latest public outbreak of violence is only unique for capturing international media attention. The Associated Press article is the lead story on today’s AOL. The proposed letter to various editors is pareve, in merely condemning “harassment and violence”. The Chareidi violence against children is the product of a warped hashkafah which teaches hatred. It is also the source of child abuse and coverup. It is the Chareidi hashkafa which spits on children, the modern orthodox, and even Greek orthodox clerics minding their own business. When a Chareidi gadol gives a speech about shalom with the modern orthodox, only then will real change happen. In the meantime, I’ve checked out from that crowd, never to return. I have no stomach for sheker, and today I’m a fulfilled, happy modern orthodox Jew.

    12 years ago

    “this time” I’m in total agreement with R Horowitz
    It’s a shame that we are not publicizing in the strongest terms that the super majority of klal Yisroel regardless of background is strongly opposed to this massive chillul hashem Where are all the Rabonim, Askonim etc in time of need?

    Mikey
    Mikey
    12 years ago

    As a Torah Jew, I am deeply distressed by the harassment and violence in Beit Shemesh – all of which is diametrically opposed to the teachings of our Holy Torah. Lest our silence be misconstrued as passive acceptance of this behavior, we condemn it in the strongest terms, as do the vast, overwhelming, majority of Torah Jews worldwide.
    Mikey Schwartz
    Woodmere, NY

    shvigger
    shvigger
    12 years ago

    That the Rabbinic leadership does NOT denounce what Horowitz deems offensive is proof to me that there’s another side to the equation that the Israeli media is not reporting.

    Yonason_Herschlag
    Yonason_Herschlag
    12 years ago

    The 1% is getting all the media attention due to the passiveness of the 99%.

    Not true! The media attention is soley due to the fact that the media is a charedi bashing machine.

    The media know well that the majority of charedim are appalled by dispicable actions such as an adult “man” spitting on a seven year old school girl, but they are not interested in presenting the true picture.

    The media also knows well, that for every child spit on by a charedi man, 1000 girls are raped by non-charedim in Israel. But hey, who cares; not the media, nor the police.

    LunaNY
    LunaNY
    12 years ago

    Rabbi Horowitz, agree with you 100%! I grew up among the worst anti-Semites, and seeing our fellow Jews treating others Jews with such hatred and deeply hurtful to me!
    Tamara Borukhov, Brooklyn, NY

    MarkTwain2
    MarkTwain2
    12 years ago

    Feel free to use my revised version, which follows. I believe it corrects some grammar issues and as well as others as it includes our Rabbanim and us individuals.
    As a Torah Jew, I am deeply distressed by the harassment and violence in Beit Shemesh – all of which our true leaders are saying is diametrically opposed to the teachings of our Holy Torah. Lest our collective individual silence, while our leaders vociferously protest and condemn, be misconstrued as passive acceptance of this behavior, we collective individuals who in fact comprise the vast, overwhelming, majority of Torah Jews worldwide condemn it in the strongest and most absolute terms.

    str8tothepoint
    str8tothepoint
    12 years ago

    Rabbi Horowitz-You are 100% Correct on this matter-Thank you for being the first one to speak out against this insanity-We as frum Jews have to stand together and condemn this huge Chillul Hashem in the most certain of terms.

    LunaNY
    LunaNY
    12 years ago

    Rabbi Horowitz, thank you! I grew up among the worst anti-Semites in the world, and seeing such hatred from one Jew to another is deeply disturbing.

    Tamara Borukhov, Brooklyn, NY

    Halaivy
    Halaivy
    12 years ago

    With all respect to Rabbi Horowitz You are wrong!
    Orthodox Jews are a community that have stuck to torah principles and not modernized. You are either modern or orthodox.
    As for us we have been guided by our Torah Rabonim and not by commentators and the media.
    A real kidush hashem is when Jews stick to the Isur of Velo Yieyeh Becho Ervas Dovor and that is what the torah calls Venikdashti Besoch Benei Yisroel and Chilul Hashem is to keep quiet on Peritzus.
    I have personally asked my old Non-Kanoi Rebe for the Torah opinion about it and he told me that this is called a kidush hashem.
    As for the Issurim mentioned by #2
    1. There is no issur to sit next to a woman on a bus
    2. It is Assur to ask women to move to the back of the bus
    3. It is Assur to put up signs asking women to only walk on certain sides of a street
    4. It is Assur to spit on another human being and Ain Lo Chelek Lolam Haba to one who does so
    5. It is Assur to call another Jew a “Nazi” and Ail Lo Chelek Lolam Haba to one who does so
    6. It is Assur to sing the Neturei Karta Song
    7. It is Assur to assault or harrass another human being
    please verify your facts by Rav Elyashuv or any rov willing to write a teshuvah first

    shabos
    shabos
    12 years ago

    The fact that the modern orthodox is not willing to respect the orthodox tradition is not even spoken about. Only the Chareidim ??????????? Shame on you. בדרך התורה נלך באש ובמים even it does not sound politicaly correct.

    avrumie
    avrumie
    12 years ago

    To. #11 the other side of the story that Rabbi Horowitz doesn’t want you to talk about is! That this whole ordeal is not at all anymore about spitting on school children (and on that Yes 99% agrees that is not allowed) ITS ABOUT THE SIGNS!!!! And YES 99% agrees that it should stay there…it was always there! Who is Mrs Clinton and Natanyuihi to have a Word in our Holy Tora and Holy Land This is what the fight is!! AND TO YOU Rabbi Horowitz!! with all due respect this Chanifa L’rshuim Aint gonna help you they Hate you anyway with your Beard and Payois!!! Rather don’t twist away from what this fight is about and BE OF THE 99% EHRLICH YIDEN that wanna live with these signs Btzniot and Kedisha…Halvai we have it here in the US we would have less problems…you know what I’m talking about RABBI!!!

    torahis1
    torahis1
    12 years ago

    once again – a breath of fresh air from R’ Horowitz…

    and where are the Gedoylim, Askonim and the moderate Chareidim?
    I only hear the crickets…

    My Chanukah wish is that even though the above mentioned people are very busy with important and overriding communal crises like banning: shaitels, concerts, internet, blogs, strawberries, fish, strollers, Shwekey, and promoting/defending discrimation vs. Sefardim in Emmanuel, that they would find some time to come and join in this protest.

    Matys
    Matys
    12 years ago

    It is wrong to harass any human being by any act or did. It is even more wrong when harassment comes from the individuals whom by their appearance you would expect higher standards of morality. There can be more wrongs than this on the side of the Haredi community of Beit Shemesh. However to it is disgraceful to use recent events as another opportunity to bash haredim, to joint modern misyavnim in persecution of people who, I believe, in its majority do not support despicable behavior of these misguided individuals who are spiting on anybody or harassing people otherwise.
    But somehow my impression is that there are people who are quick to condemn only one sector of klal Yisroel at any given occasion.
    I am waiting for Rabbi Horowitz to denounce religious settlers, religious members of knesset, and all other people using Torah for their own political or other agenda bringing not less of Hilul Hashem than blew out of proportion events in Beit Shemesh.
    I was almost ready to send the email to the institutions listed in the open ad but by doing it I would admit that thousand of haredi residents of Beit Shemesh are violent people looking to harass others and this is not true. Privately

    12 years ago

    Rabbi Horowitz,Stop trying to put the onus on the masses. You know very well that if the Gedolim would come out against this hooliganism,it would stop. You have consistantly refused to countanence criticism of the Gedolim and the Rabbinic Leadership on other issues namely the molestation issue. The truth be told though is that the silence of the Rabbinic Leadership on the abuse issue, and on the gender segregation issue, and on the Beit Shemesh issue is loud and clear and makes them guilty and complicit. There is no dancing around it any more.

    RivkahRaven
    RivkahRaven
    12 years ago

    signed in support of this article and r. Horowitz; in abhorrence of violence that is against the way of Torah
    R. Wood
    Ashland, Oregon, USA

    12 years ago

    They are not my “moral beliefs”, they are Halacha and Torah that every Bar Bay Rav should know. Go to Yeshiva and learn a little and you will see that.
    For starters…….
    1. Kol Hamalbin Pnei Chavero Ain Lo chelek L’olam Haba
    2. Onaas Devarim
    3. Lo sisna es Achicha
    4. Lo saamod Al dam Re’acha
    I might add that if your Rov does not agree with the above, get yourself a new Rov.

    12 years ago

    Rabbi Horowitz,
    Thank you very much for standing up for true Torah values once again. I just sent my letters, as you suggested. I am also ready to sign a collective petition if you start one.

    unbelvbl
    unbelvbl
    12 years ago

    Why is everyone becoming so excited over what’s happening in Israel when this is going every week Shabbos, in Boro Park, and in Williamsburg, when zealots Harass men women and children because they carry Shabbos with an Eiruv that is not to their liking? These so called zealots have no problem shaming other people in public, a sin that nullifies ones Oilem Haba, according to Chaza”l, and their Rabonim encourage, and support them. Why don’t we fix our own communities here in the USA before we wage war on the zealots in Israel.

    reblen
    reblen
    12 years ago

    Kudos to Rabbi Horowitz, it is a wonderful idea, and we should try to get everyone to participate.

    But #2 is also correct. The Haeidi leadership has NOT spoken out forcefully against this.

    I wrote about this two years ago, and vosizneias was kind enough to post it.
    http://www.vinnews.com/36217/2009/08/05/new-york-time-for-charedim-to-stand-up-to-hooliganism-in-yerushalayim/

    Unfortunately, not much has changed – it has only gotten worse.

    I repeat the call — the Rabbonim of the Chareidi world must get behind the effort to stop this massive and terrible chillul Hashem — not just those of us , who by definition as people who use the internet, are posul in their eyes.

    Rabbi Yehuda L Oppenheimer

    PS – It is interesting to me that some of the same people who were defending the terrible actions of these hooligans then are still defending them here. Sad, but true.

    LEEAVE
    LEEAVE
    12 years ago

    Can any! Please explain me!
    why does the Israeli government have to get involved from the 1st place, if there is still a small percentage of yiden who want to abide by the torah, and have tzenius in their city, why bodder them, everything would’ve been just fine if the govt. would look the other side and let them live peacefully and quiet and if their wife’s agree to walk on 1 side which was designated to them good for them, and end of story,
    This whole commotion going on now could’ve been avoided,
    Its only and only the govt’s fold.
    They should be happy that Israel still has some observing torah jews!!!

    Robert
    Member
    Robert
    12 years ago

    these issues are complex and emotional
    bottom line in my opinion is we need mutual respect between all religious groups (chasid, mod orthodox and charedim) ashkenaz and sepharad
    and all of israel religious and secular
    with unity will come strength and the messiah
    all people involved need to ratchet down the emotions and rhetoric and find common respect ( kavod habriot).

    Member
    12 years ago

    This is going to blow up and if they start an occupy movement, the world will see the ignorance and arrogance of this “1%” that lives in a jewish state that wants to destroy the community and presence of freedom loving Israeli Citizens. I say give it a try. It may be the medicine we need.

    The_Rat
    The_Rat
    12 years ago

    Regarding the sources requested by several posters, the Chief Rabbinate of Israel (R’ Yonah Metzger and R’ Shlomo Amar), as well as Holon Sheif Rabbi R’ Avraham Yosef have all publicly addressed the bus issue. One may disagree with them, but that’s opinion, not black and white halacha. One may sit in a mixed bus. Be machmir if you like, but you may not inflict your chumra on others in a public setting.

    Regarding some of the other subjects, it is clear that one must be very careful not to embarrass others in public. Clearly this is being violated. Additionally, the basis for the embarrassment does not have its roots in halacha, merely in chumra. Chumra is not halacha, it is opinion.

    There is no logical reasoning that can support the actions of the sikrikim. In religious zeal, one can follow Shimon or Levi. Levi learned the place of zeal, Shimon did not. It’s clear that those who spit at modestly dressed children and call them whores are Bnei Shimon. They just don’t get it. If you choose to support that kind of activity, neither do you.

    Crazykanoiy
    Crazykanoiy
    12 years ago

    Just look at the smile of the kid in the picture and you will see all that is wrong with chinuch today.

    ccccc
    ccccc
    12 years ago

    What never ceases to amaze me is how all these that are so horrified by the hatred being portrayed by a small group of people never hide their hatred to the chassidim in general, by labeling and stereotyping a community or communities for things they never did nor stand behind. Unfortunately when people have a guilty concious on something they do wrong the only way to feel less guilty is by knocking those that are better then them in that aspect. Though I strongly condemn the actions taken by the radicals I did not see 1 word of condemnation by the others for working so hard on painting a dirty picture on all of the chassidim. Not one word to condemn the media of working so hard to make this into a mockery of frum jews when we all know including the isrealy media that it’s not frum righteous jews that stand behind it. Lastly since when does the isrealy government care so much for the well being of the frum women that they show so much concern for women who have to sit in back of the bus when the frum women are clearly ok with it? Aren’t they doing it just to bring negative attention to this community? So on what side do you see more hate now??

    greg8103
    greg8103
    12 years ago

    I find the whole situation with the school & behavior of Charadi hooligans to be very disturbing. It’s shocking to me that most of the Charadi leadership is passive/approving in was face such a clear Chillul Hashem by so called “Zealots”. How does it make any sense to them to congregate in area were they claim there is “pritzus”? Should they be walking blocks away from the area. The issue with side walk / buses is a little bit different, but there is no basis for this Jewish halacha & tradition. It’s issur to both subtract and add to the Torah.
    Another thing that is shocking is that some people are trying to find excuses for “Zealot”‘s behavior. To #12 & # 14, the things you have mentioned may be true, but do not worry about the secular / media, it’s Chillul Hashem by these mamzerim that all of us should be worrying about and unqualifiedly condemning.

    Yeshivish
    Yeshivish
    12 years ago

    An important fact to know, the ultra frum yidden and the seculars in Beth Shemesh live in different ends of town, those posters etc. are localized in the frum area only!

    sechelyoshor
    sechelyoshor
    12 years ago

    Sadly, the responses defending the machmirim in Beit Shemesh prove the point that this is only going to get worse. Will we soon gender segregation on 13th Ave. too?
    20 years ago, you would visit Meah Shearim and see how they lived. I would visit and see how a group of machmirim chose to live. I was cool with that. Hey, it was their turf. It was kinda like visiting Amishtown. Then they moved out for lack of space and now want to conquer other zones. It’s no longer cool.

    It’s hard for our rabbonim to speak out against chumros that are very engrained in certain kehillos. But they better come up with something fast. Should we have separate cities for each gender???

    I really doubt they had gender separation in the streets of Yerushalyim at the time of the Mikdosh. My proof is that they only did so in the Mikdosh itself, and even that was only after a takana to do so but not the way it was originally.

    We need our leaders to be screaming from the rooftops, not just against violence, but against the ruach of intolerance that parts of our kehilla have been breeding.

    YJay1
    YJay1
    12 years ago

    Thank you Rabbi Horowitz, I just sent a letter to the three addresses you posted. Could someone post the e-mail addresses of other major newspapers so that we can spread the word?

    12 years ago

    Down with the protestors!

    keepsmiling
    keepsmiling
    12 years ago

    very important note in the letter and the news this isnt beit shemesh it is a few people!!!! I live a few minute walk from that are and have no idea what is going on there until i look here on line. it is all a huge mountain out of a mole ill to get votes nfor elections!!!!!!!!!

    Ben_Kol
    Ben_Kol
    12 years ago

    contd.
    See the list of Biblical prohibitions in the pesichah to Sefer Chafetz Chayim. Many of them apply here.
    There is also another major (Rabbinic) law that is relevant: the obligation to observe the laws of the land (dina demalchusa dina), which according to most Poskim appies in Eretz Yisrael as well.

    JudyG
    JudyG
    12 years ago

    I will post the link to this article on Facebook where I did NOT post the link to the awful video of poor little Na’ama but just sent it to Jewish friends. I wonder if these thugs realize (or care) that their behavior is not only tormenting innocent children, but offering fodder for anti-Semites.

    Aryeh Deri also went on Israeli TV and said much the same thing. This is outright chillul HaShem, and those who indulge in such behavior – ein lahem chelek ba’olam haba. Right now, we are left to take care of the situation “ba’olam hazeh.”

    It’s unfortunately always the case that thugs, hoodlums and terrorists make headlines and have an impact far beyond what their numbers would seem to justify. Decent people have to react en masse to counteract such actions, and this forum is one way of facilitating this.

    Todah.

    jsjcbs
    jsjcbs
    12 years ago

    How come no one is following the instructions:

    We ask that you show public support for this effort by posting your name and the city where you live as a comment on the bottom of this thread so that members of our community and the media at large can see that this is a broad-based effort.

    Crazykanoiy
    Crazykanoiy
    12 years ago

    Dont email Ha’aretz! Email the Agudah and the Chavrei Knesset of Degel Hatorah.

    12 years ago

    I couldn’t sleep last night after watching the videos of these animals. Thank you R’ Horowitz for giving us the impetus to write to the media.

    12 years ago

    I’m cancelling my family’s trip next week to Israel. Was taking the kids and grandkids, but feel it’s not safe now. Too bad.

    ProudMO
    ProudMO
    12 years ago

    Rabbi Horowitz is from one of the yechidei segulah of our generation. He IS daas torah and anyone saying we need to listen to daas torah should listen to him. One of the few people who actually get what is going on. Kol Hakavod for once again being one of the few leaders to speak up on an important issue when the rest of the so called gedolim continue to sit with their heads in the sand making proclamations no one listens to yelling about issues they continue to be ignored on.

    12 years ago

    Take a look at how MK Eichler and Gafni are dealing with this. They are blaming the messenger, namely the media for spreading hatred of the Charedi world. Sorry folks but here in America we have a two word expression for that and it starts with a B and ends with T. Stop pretending this is a small group of extremists and pretending that there is not a real problem here. You did the same thing with the molestation issue.

    Ben_Kol
    Ben_Kol
    12 years ago

    The following comment appeared on the VIN article about the mayor of Beit Shemesh which appeared today at 10:26 a.m. I have no idea whether the story is true, but I’ve heard many like it.

    The commenter writes:

    “I recently traveld on an ElAl flight from New York to Israel, and HaGoan Reb. Berel Povarsky was on board, and seated next to a non frum women. I attempted to switch my seat to hers to enable the Rosh Hayeshiva to sit next to a frum man. The woman saw what was going on and she insisted she is not moving “no way”. The Rosh Hayeshiva saw that she was not willing to budge; he told me, Please don’t make a scene as not to hurt her feelings. I met the Rosh hyeshiva at a later time and he thanked me for not hurting her. So let all these great fanatics read this story and learn from a Talmud chuchem how to act in public.”

    noahz6
    noahz6
    12 years ago

    its going to get much worse before it gets better

    12 years ago

    Why for heaven sake so busy fighting the chareidim (whether right or wrong) and protesting their actions whilst all of us — and the author of this post — are quiet when there is huge chillul shabbos, and other aveiros? Is it really so terrible that a few woman have to go back of the bus? Would you rather walk in a hareidi neighborhood or a secular neighborhood where there is all sorts of crime, and why? – because the chareidim are really peaceful, yerei hashem and Hashem’s torah? And the reason the freier and the modern orthordox are making such a tumult about some minor incidents is because they want to bring down the chareidi way of life and Hashem’s torah. I am not saying everything is ok, all I say is that (the same tumult demonstrating in the name of torah of course) should be done ten fold for all the great mitzvos being tread upon (incuding kol isha in a state sanctioned place) by the same freier & the State of Israel who protesting the frummer, and people who are holding on to the mesorah of torah and mitzos. And I say the same to R Horovitz where are you when mitzvos are torn down anywhere — do you scream with the same passion as when you talk to the (terrible) chareidm