Freddie Allan
I had a very bad experience here, where a Rabbi deliberately tried to humiliate me in public. I had asked a fact related question after a talk by an outside speaker. I'm guessing he didn't know any relevant material, so he, in an unpleasant tone, asked this rabbi if he wanted to answer. The rabbi said: No, no, no, no, no, no, no. AT LEAST that many times. His tone and attitude of contempt was very clear. It caused a stir, people stared at me, and someone I knew somewhat refused my offered hug (it WAS a Jewish holy day) saying: stay away from me! I'm so embarrassed by you!
Well, the Jews are the questioning people, the ones who argue/fight with G-d, two Jews, 3 opinions.
Apparently, at this synagogue, not so. Instead, your intelligence will be insulted by hearing a talk about the POPE on Shavuot, that also had no substance. And it you try to bring it to something real, you will be treated with contempt in public.
Some lessons: If someone is talking about the pope on a Jewish holiday, in a Jewish sanctuary, get up and leave.
Also, don't go to this place. Only the wicked try to humiliate people in public. Or the incompetent. Or both. All either of them had to do was say: we're out of time, can we talk about this after? So, in addition, I think it's fair to conclude that neither the rabbi nor the speaker have even basic 'speaker skills.'
Finally, when I mentioned this to a friend at a different synagogue, he said: that rabbi has a reputation for being obnoxious. Golly, wish I had known.
like
Report