To the Editors:

The Beacon recently published an article (“How Do I Even Begin To Explain This,” Dec 5) that has generated a fair amount of attention and controversy. While I fully support the editors’ decision to publish the article despite it’s unorthodox content, the ways in which the editors handled the implications and consequences are shocking and disappointing.

It is astonishing that the editors did not anticipate the potential fallout from this article, given the challenging topic which it addresses, and especially given that not very long ago the university administration requested that another YU newspaper, Kol Hamevaser, remove from circulation articles with similarly controversial content. Nonetheless, the editors chose to act surprised and offended by the university’s decision to dissociate themselves from writings which reflect negatively on it and its values. And despite it being an internal issue, which is only important and significant to the YU community, the editors, in a truly astonishing move, decided to open this (already moot) debate to the general American public.

They voiced their opinions in both Fox News (“Jewish University, School Newspaper Cut Ties Over Controversial Sex Column,” Dec 8th) and the Wall Street Journal (“Essay Sparks Campus Uproar, Dec 9), where the controversy was posted to the front pages. I do not see any benefit – and much detriment – to publicizing this issue. As one of the editors commented, YU is the flagship of Modern Orthodoxy, and its reputation extends to the entire Jewish community. Articles in national newspapers which highlight the few negative aspects of the university cause significant damage to the image of Orthodox Judaism in the American mind and are arguably a chillul Hashem, a desecration of God’s Name.

One of the editors remarked, “Our university spends a lot of time being afraid what this will represent to the rest of the world as the Modern Orthodoxy flagship.” I hope that in the future the editors will take their own advice, spend more time “being afraid” and considering the consequences of their actions before making decisions which impact the general Jewish community, and choose to sanctify God’s Name instead of potentially desecrating it.

Sincerely,
Steven Levine