Deityblog

By now I'm sure most of you have heard about Mordechai Gafni
and the latest scandals that have come out, this time from Bayit Chadash.
It's all very horrifying, especially given the extent to which many of our
most progressive teachers protected him for so many years. Because of a
connection, I knew all along to stay away from him. Yaakov and I have
had discussions with many friends on the matter, regarding whether
to learn from Gafni at the latest Elat Chayyim event, etc. At this point,
we don't feel vindicated, but saddened in the worst possible way that this
was allowed to continue to the point where over a dozen women have come
forward to say they've been affected, including one charge of rape. Add to this the fact that for years he was Gafni has been protected by many leaders in the Jewish Renewal movement, including Arthur Waskow, Avraham Leader, Jacob Ner-David, and even R'Zalman Schachter-Shalomi.

While it's quite disturbing and will mean serious consequences for the Renewal movement and for the Jewish community at large, it's definitely something that we should be aware of, as many of us have had contact with Gafni, or with those within the movement who chose to protect him.

For up-to-date details, including letters from Gafni, Arthur Waskow, Avraham
Leader and Jacob Ner-David, go to Jewschool , start from "Gafni
Strikes Again" and read up. You might want to do it on an empty stomach.

Love to you all despite trying times.