On the
surface that does seem to be the case. But my contact at Agudah told me that
Agudah is actually beginning to change course on this issue. They may actually one day
come out with their own website so as to better disseminate their views.
If that is
true, I welcome it. Even though I do not always agree with their perspective, I
respect what they say. Their views are generally well articulated as was the
case with their now defunct magazine, the Jewish Observer. I would love to see
them have a more formal way of projecting their views in the age of the
internet.
The internet
- if nothing else – is the current mass arena for exchange of ideas. If one is
going to only get one perspective, that will result in conclusions about issues
that are skewed to that perspective. One needs to hear both sides of an issue
to get a more balanced view. If we truly want Emes, that is.
That’s what
we got with the Jewish Observer. Although I was angry and critical of them
about their treatment of Rav Sloveitchik in their obituary, I nevertheless was always
interested in what they had to say on issues of the day. Sometimes I agreed
with them. Sometimes I did not. But I wanted to know what they thought.
If, as my
contact says, they are beginning to change course and the video promoting their
banquet is an indication of that, I welcome it.
