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Message: <br /><br /> If you are having trouble reading this email, you may view this article online at: http://www.jweekly.com/12647/full/12647/local-rabbis-among-those-coming-out-against-dr-laura/ <br /><br /> <b>Local rabbis among those coming out against ‘Dr. Laura’</b> <br /> Friday, February 25, 2000 | by <p>JOSHUA BRANDT </p> <br /><br /><p>A group of local and national rabbis has certified that radio personality Laura Schlessinger's act isn't quite kosher.<br /><br /> A press conference to announce the group's case against the "anti-gay rhetoric" of "Dr. Laura" was scheduled for yesterday outside the San Francisco studios of radio station KGO, which broadcasts her nationally syndicated show.<br /><br /> The event, sponsored by the gay and lesbian advocacy group Horizons Foundation, enlisted the help of seven local rabbis in condemning the Jewish talk-show host for what they consider her vitriolic stance on gay and lesbian issues.<br /><br /> After the press conference, a letter signed by nearly 200 religious leaders of different faiths was to be unveiled. It calls on Schlessinger to examine the effects her words have on her vast listening audience, estimated at 20 million by the S.F.-based Horizons Foundation.<br /><br /> Among the signatories to the letter "expressing deep concern for the detrimental effects your anti-gay commentary are having on America's children," are Rabbis Peretz Wolf-Prusan and Sydney Mintz of Reform Congregation Emanu-El of San Francisco and Rabbi Eric Weiss of the Bay Area Jewish Healing Center.<br /><br /> They are among 10 Bay Area Jewish leaders, including seven rabbis, to sign the letter.<br /><br /> According to the Horizons Foundation, the Los Angeles-based radio host is guilty of promulgating the belief that homosexuality is a "biological error" that can be "cured."<br /><br /> "'Dr. Laura' is the most popular talk show in the country," said Peter Teague, executive director of the Horizons Foundation. "We are very concerned that the inflammatory words on her show are contributing to the fear and hatred of gays and lesbians."<br /><br /> What is particularly galling, according to the rabbis and other Jewish signatories to the letter, is Schlessinger's use of Judaism to defend her viewpoints.<br /><br /> Schlessinger "uses her belief in God to veil her hatred," Weiss said.<br /><br /> "She presents her viewpoints as monolithic," Weiss added. "Not only does she not represent the majority Jewish viewpoint, but she bases her viewpoint on erroneous interpretations of Jewish texts."<br /><br /> Weiss is concerned that Schlessinger's viewpoints are not only a misrepresentation of Jewish tradition and thinking, but harmful as well.<br /><br /> Saying that Schlessinger's words could be used to incite violence against gays and lesbians, Weiss added that he hopes "the day will come when espousing hatred and anti-gay rhetoric gets placed in the same category as yelling 'fire' in a crowded theater."<br /><br /> Rabbi George Gittleman of Reform Congregation Shomrei Torah in Santa Rosa, who also signed the letter, wants it known that "there's an element to the religious community, including rabbis, that views gays and lesbian as healthy, whole and a normative part of the Jewish community."<br /><br /> Gittleman criticized Schlessinger for her ardent support of Proposition 22, the California initiative that defines marriage as being the sole province of heterosexual couples.<br /><br /> "Not only are gays and lesbians created in God's image," Gittleman said, "but their partnership is created in God's image as well."<br /><br /> Also troubled by Schlessinger's viewpoints is John Rothmann, the weekend overnight talk-show host on KGO.<br /><br /> Noting that her show airs on KGO, Rothmann said his "profound disagreement" reflects only his opinion and not that of the station.<br /><br /> Rothmann, who is Jewish, said Schlessinger was having trouble keeping her facts straight.<br /><br /> "Keep in mind," Rothmann said, "if you have a minyan, it doesn't matter whether the men are heterosexual or not."<br /><br /> Another problem "is that Dr. Laura attempts to clarify issues she has no profound knowledge of," added Rothmann, whose signature is not on the letter.<br /><br /> "The last time I looked," he continued, "there was no Sanhedrin [the supreme judicial council of ancient Judaism] to write Jewish law with Dr. Laura at the head of it."<br /><br /> In addition to those already mentioned, four other local rabbis signed the letter: Steven Chester of Reform Temple Sinai in Oakland; Jonathan Slater of Conservative Congregation Beth Ami in Santa Rosa; Zari Weiss, Community Rabbi of the East Bay; and Michael Lerner of San Francisco Renewal Congregation Beyt Tikkun.<br /><br /> Also signing were Tracy Salkowitz, the executive director of the S.F.-based Northern Pacific Region of the American Jewish Congress, and Deborah Newbrun, the director of the S.F.-based Tawonga Jewish Community Corporation.</p> <p> </p>

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