Letters to the editor 10-23-09

The real elephant in the room

To the Editor:

As a former president of Yavneh, Columbia University’s Orthodox Jewish community, and on behalf of the vast majority of frum Orthodox Jews who did attend secular college, I take deep offense to Rabbi Reuven Spolter’s myopic and vitriolic words (The elephant in the room; In My View; Oct. 16, 2009). Those who Spolter offended include great rabbis from the Soloveitchik, Twerski, Lichtenstein and other dynasties.

Spolter’s anecdotal evidence for his condemnation of secular college, e.g. “girl sits down on your lap during orientation,” “open support of binge drinking,” and poor statistics point more to his lack of attendance at a secular university and ignorance of students’ actual experiences, than his concern for our children.

At any secular college, the former behavior is more than just a “Shmirat Negi’ah” issue; it is sexual assault. The latter behavior is prevented by tight regulations, including the ban of alcohol in dormitories with students under the age of 21.  Additionally, how I was never surveyed by Avi Chai for such a statistic is baffling.

Perhaps Spolter, who only attended Yeshiva University, would disregard his fears of the “risks” of Hillel and Orthodox communities if he attended any of the 15 weekly shiurim, 6 daily minyanim, Shabbatot and yamim tovim, and many visits by Roshei Yeshiva at Columbia. Perhaps he would understand the “benefits” of secular college if he were affiliated with a secular university.  Secular college isn’t right for everyone. But it can’t be that a categorical ban on secular college suits the needs of every Orthodox Jewish family.

Jonathan Berliner

Columbia College ‘09,

Washington

1 out of 4 really?

To the Editor: