NEW YORK (VINnews) — The modern orthodox world was dealt a massive blow this week, after a judge ruled that Yeshiva University must allow an LGBTQ club to exist in its institution.
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One of the judge’s main reasons was the claim by the plaintiffs that YU long ago classified itself as a non-sectarian academic institution to collect millions in New York State funds and benefits.
It appears that YU in large part may have brought this decision upon itself. Furthermore, Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, the renowned Rosh Yeshiva and leader of modern orthodoxy for decades, foresaw this happening, almost prophetically, way back in 1970.
At the trial, regarding its “non-sectarian” status, YU argued that it is only used in admissions policy which does not discriminate against non-Jewish applicants. However they still consider themselves a religious institution.
This would seem very weak. Yes we accept non-Jewish students, but we are still a religious institution. What defines the nature of an institution, if not the members it allows in?
As the Jewish Press wrote, “In 1970, Rav Soloveitchik urged the school to reverse its “non-sectarian” trend. The Rav was worried that the school might not be able to enforce religious observance in dorms, or require students to attend one of the University’s religious divisions.”
This was an extremely prescient vision by the Rav. Perhaps he couldn’t have imagined it would be LGBTQ, but he certainly realized the danger of secularization
Rabbi Soloveitchik’s speech from Orthodoxy Awakens, 178-178 pic.twitter.com/ACfYEu1nuj
— David/Dovid Bashevkin (@DBashIdeas) June 14, 2022
Here is an excerpt from a 1970 article that appeared in YU’s “Commentator”
“Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik has called on the Yeshiva administration to reverse the trend toward secularization upon which it has embarked. His address, delivered during the celebration of Chag Hasemicha on April 12, was seen by many as one of the most significant in Yeshiva’s eighty-five year history.
The Rav defined three specific problems which he fears may soon face the undergraduate divisions if Yeshiva College remains a secular institution. He cannot believe that a non-sectarian school will be able to enforce religious observance in its dormitories. He fears that a rebellious student may soon challenge the college’s requirement of attendance in a religious division, a requirement no longer compatible with Yeshiva’s secular status.
Reaction to Rabbi Soloveitchik’s speech was immediate and varied. Dr. Belkin [who supported the secular label] was visibly upset by both the tone and the content of the Rav’s remarks. At several points during the Rav’s speech he interjected denials to accusations made against the YU administration, but the Rav insisted that he be allowed to speak freely.
One member of the Board of Trustees charged that the Rav had chosen a bad time and place for his remarks. Moreover, since the Rav has done little to aid YU’s fund-raising efforts, it was not in his province to criticize the way Yeshiva obtains its money. Even some rebbeim in the yeshiva expressed their belief that Rabbi Soloveitchik had not grasped the financial implications of the situation.
Student reaction was overwhelmingly favorable…”
It would appear that the decision was made at that point to choose money over principles. Rav Soloveitchik recognized that this decision could have catastrophic consequences. And now a judge used that precise logic to determine that YU has no right to “discriminate” against those who lead a lifestyle of toeiva, completely antithetical to Torah values.
How’s YU different than other institution and askans urging to vote Democrat to get funds no matter what else the candidate stands for ?
I think the author is forgetting the infamous R’ Gifter’s direct criticism on this very matter.
If YU must offer gay clubs on par with all other clubs and student organizations, would not the easiest option be to close ALL clubs on campus? There would then be no discrimination against anyone.
Before you bash YU , consider that both Satmars endorsed Hochul over a GOP candidate. We know the deal.
I suppose the Rav was correct.
Many in the MO community are open to the idea that gay people to be open about it and not hide the fact that they live in sin.
What’s even a bigger shame is the sad reality that none of our yeshiva or mosdos are going to change anything about this, they’ll just keep taking more and more money even though they see the cards falling if it’s in a YU case or the education curriculum crisis we are facing now.
Modern Orthodox leads to more modern then Orthodox.
Bottom line, if you take money from the government you must toe the line and follow the rules. I guess yeshivas must teach secular studies or forgo government funding.
That’s Rabbi Dr. Yosef Dov Soloveitchik z’tz’l to any and all religious Jews.
only the most recent 13 comments of a total of 55 comments are viewable, all older comments vanished. this is happening on many articles lately, perhaps VIN can fix this bug
Rabbi Silman, at the time the Rosh Yeshiva, removed his sons from there, when it became a College. He foresaw these kinds of problems.
(His sons went on to receive s’micha from Rav Moshe)
Someone told me that the Rov was planning on resigning from YU whe they didn’t change course; however, he had his first stroke around then and lost his ability to fight. Not withstanding YU is testimony to what a failed path deviating from Torah values leads to.
They asked YU? YnotMeToo?
I’ll just say this. For an institution that receives government funding (and owns so much real estate, and so many other investments), why is their tuition cost through the roof ?? And I’m talking about just the high school for starters. I was told that it’s 2,000.00 just for the registration fee, and that doesn’t even go towards tuition. What I’d love to know is how many boys were turned away over the many years because the parents couldn’t afford the cost. Are these troubles part of the payback for that? Maybe.
its the new HUC
Was the Rav right?
Perhaps the present situation is an impending “disaster” (subject to appeal and to other possible strategies, so the story’s not yet over), but it’s been 50+ years since the Rav made that speech and YU and its parent body have benefitted from 50+ years of public funding since then, with no disasters during that time.
Without public funding, YU might not even survive, as the financial burden on parents is already so significant that adding to it might make YU no longer viable. The administration will have to then decide which would be a greater disaster, the closing of YU or the allowance of this club for a handful of students.