Jews Offering New Alternatives to Homosexuality (JONAH) is a Jewish organization that serves people of all faiths or no faith and is dedicated to educating the world-wide Jewish and secular communities about the social, cultural and emotional factors which lead to same-sex attractions.^[1] They accept the Torah's and Talmud's prohibition of male homosexual behavior. This position is universally accepted by the Orthodox rabbinate as well as some of the Conservative rabbinate.^[2] As such, most of its members are Orthodox Jews. ^[3]

There is a dispute among the rabbis whether homosexual thoughts and fantasies are prohibited. JONAH helps its members deal with their homosexual thoughts in a Torah true way. ^[4] They believe everyone can change, because the Creator has endowed mankind with freewill.^[1] and many people have successfully completed their program of gender affirmation.^[5]

It uses a variety of "psycho-educational" methods, including live support group meetings, E-mail list-serv groups, networking, therapy referrals, experiential weekend programs.^[6] It has an extensive library which includes books, articles, and tapes.^[7] It attracts a variety of Jews and other faiths with same-sex attractions, including those who are engaging themselves in homosexual activities but want to lead a heterosexual life, and those who are already in a heterosexual relationship and/or marriage. It also works directly with spouses, parents, and other friends and relatives. ^[6] All counseling recommended by JONAH complies with mainstream medical organization practices.

JONAH was created in 1999, with its executive offices in Jersey City, New Jersey. Co-Founder and Co-Director is Arthur A. Goldberg J.D., C.R.S. who also is president of PATH and secretary-treasurer of NARTH^[8]. He is also the author of a comprehensive text entitled "Light in the Closet: Torah, Homosexuality and the Power to Change". ^[9] Co-founder and Co-Director, Elaine Silodor Berk, is also the Treasurer of PATH and the author of numerous articles focused on how to keep families together who are struggling because a member of the family is involved in homosexuality. Previously, most support groups were Christian, and Jews had nowhere to turn within their own religion. ^[10]

It is now a world-wide organization, with the majority of its membership in the United States, Israel, Canada and Europe. ^[7] Its website is in English with Hebrew and Spanish. A translation function is available for several other languages. In July 2003, it joined with 10 other organizations that "help people conflicted over unwanted homosexual attractions" ^[6] to form a coalition called Positive Alternatives to Homosexuality.^[11]

JONAH disavows hatred toward homosexuals and a representative has stated "We must repeatedly remind ourselves that, in the Torah, it is not the person, but the act that is abhorred. Moreover, even after the act, we have the obligation to promote teshuva and not censure by the family, leaders, and community." ^[10]

[edit] References

[edit] See also

• Atzat Nefesh
• David Benkof
• Ex-gay movement
• Homosexuality and Judaism

[edit] External links

• Official website