California-based Jewish Awareness Movement Adopts Aggressive Tactics
Posters advertising JAM events.
When Allyson Marcus arrived at the Jewish Awareness Movement’s Shabbat afternoon luncheon near the University of Southern California, she wasn’t expecting to return home in tears. That, however, is how things turned out for Marcus, then a senior at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa. After talking throughout the meal with a group of male friends, Marcus was confronted as she left the table by Bracha Zaret, the wife of Moshe Zaret, a Jewish Awareness Movement rabbi. The rebbetzin, apparently incensed by Marcus' immodesty, asked her if she was on any medication. Marcus was puzzled, not realizing that the question was meant as an insult. Zaret then kicked her out of the house, telling her that she would never amount to anything and would be unmarried at forty.
Such stories are not uncommon in interviews with students who have interacted with the Jewish Awareness Movement, or JAM, an Orthodox outreach group active on five California campuses. JAM’s aggressive techniques and single-minded focus on making students more observant distinguish it from more established outreach organizations. Interviews, coupled with reports on the blog kvetcher.jewschool.com and in the Daily Trojan, USC’s campus newspaper, have painted a picture of a group that routinely practices high-pressure tactics, including deceptive advertising and persistent unwanted phone calls, and is sometimes rude and dismissive towards those who don't meet its standards.
Rabbis on JAM's staff did not reply to repeated requests for comment.
In September, the University of Southern California’s Office of Religious Life disallowed JAM’s rabbis from advising the JAM chapter on the USC campus. The expulsion was a direct result of an e-mail sent by one of the two JAM rabbis, Daniel Geffen, advertising that alcohol would be served at an event open to underage students. A November 2007 article in the Daily Trojan about the incident also reported that the University’s Office of Religious Life and Student Affairs had received complaints from students who felt harassed by the JAM campus rabbis. Some had received repeated phone calls from rabbis after asking them to stop calling.
This was not the first time that JAM's activities had raised eyebrows at USC. An April 2006 article in the Daily Trojan describes an incident in which a JAM rabbi named Avi Wosner promised students an opportunity to work with Steven Spielberg on a film project. Students who signed on quickly discovered that Spielberg was in no way involved.
This pattern of questionable advertising is echoed in the experience of some of the students who attend the subsidized trips to New York, London, and Israel that are the cornerstones of JAM’s activities. While the trips are advertised as Jewish educational experiences, one UCLA student reports that she soon realized that the sole purpose of her $99 JAM trip to New York was to pressure her into becoming more observant. She says that she felt like she was “on lockdown,” and was shepherded from lecture to lecture. One theme of the lectures was that Orthodox observance of Judaism will lead to economic prosperity. In support of this point, the group was brought to the Diamond District, where the rabbi leading the trip asked a female participant, “Imagine one of those big rocks on your fingers - do you think if you do these things you might get one some day?”
The student says that her decisions to wear pants instead of dresses and talk to boys were repeatedly challenged. A rebbetzin on the trip warned her to stay away from one of the other girls, who she was told was a "bad seed." She was assigned a roommate who tried to convince her to rethink her lifestyle and encouraged her to read a book that advocated for more traditional observance.
There is some evidence that these tactics have made JAM particularly successful in its outreach efforts. A 2003 article in the Los Angeles Jewish Journal cited findings by Rabbi David Refson, dean of Neve Yerushalayim College in Jerusalem, that JAM at UCLA turned a higher percentage of students religious than any other program in the country.
Many students report positive experiences with JAM. A JAM participant at UCLA's campus, Danny Hekier, said that he didn’t feel pressure from the organization. He advised students who felt that JAM was being too pushy with its outreach techniques to ask not to be contacted again. Rachel Monty, the student co-founder of JAM’s UCLA board, described the goals of the UCLA chapter of JAM primarily as getting students to go on the JAM trips. She says that she does not identify as Orthodox, and that most participants in JAM were secular, Reform, or Conservative. Allyson Marcus, the USC student who had the extremely negative experience with a JAM rebbetzin, said that she had positive experiences with other JAM rabbis.
And yet, instances of questionable advertising, bizarre harassment, and pressure to increase observance continue to mar the good the organization has done, and to jeopardize its place on campus.
Chaimel and Mango (71.224.206.xxx) 2008-02-08 08:49:21
Me and my friend Chaimel,once volunteered to be councellors at a JAM event in a NY hotel., when we got there, Bracha Zaret, made us work, and the decided we were "too fat, and a bad example of what Jewish orthodox people were" and in zero degree weather she kicked us out of the hotel. Mind you she is no skiny pickle and is quite overweight herself. She is not a good example of what Orthodox Jews are like and she should have been ousted from her position long time ago.
1. I read this article and I am not doubting any of the facts. In fact, all stories may very well be true. but lets judge favorably. I am sure that there is another side to the story. Rebbetzin Zarat must be a nice and loving woman, if not, people would never be going to her for meals and events... I'm sure she opens her home and gives a lot from herself and her own life to be part of the college life. If I was in a situation where I felt hurt or harassed, I would bring it straight to her attention.
2: DO NOT let this tint Judaism for you. Never let one person's actions make you "tuned off." You should not be close-minded to the wonders of G_d. Find for yourself what it means to be Jewish and how you want to act towards it. Do not ever let people pressure you.
Look guys, I was raised in a religious upbringing, with a chassidic backround. I love Judaism, I've worked a lot in outreach, I didn't speak out because I think outreach is bad, on the contrary, I like doing it myself, but this person hurt me so badly I had a hard time recovering. If you're going to work in outreach be very aware of your behavior towards others. If we preach good midos towards others and Rabbi Akiva said you must love your fellow Jew, then we have to accept people for who they are and treat everyone the way you yourself like to be treated. Simple
I also had the misfortune of spending an evening in Rebbetzin Zarat's home during a shabbaton to Los Angeles. I was confronted by her in the kitchen as she ran down a laundry list of questions to determine whether or not I was shomer negia, shomer shabbos, etc. In the end, she glanced me up and down, sneered, and told me to leave the kitchen. I have never participated in another JAM event. I HOPE that Rebbetzin Zarat has been kinder to others than she was to me but I certainly doubt it. Baruch Hashem...there is Chabbad to give a fresh perspective on how to TRULY welcome fellow Jews into your home and get them involved in a loving, kind and thoughtful manner.
I was a student at a Los Angeles-area college back in the mid-90's, and was peripherally involved with JAM during its nascent days. I had a few shabbos meals with the Zarets, and remember them as being very sweet people. If these accounts are true, it seems that Rebbetzin Bracha's presonality has changed quite a bit over the years. I have to admit, I'm horrified by these accounts.
I don't know this woman, but I know people similar to her. If these accounts are true, then the woman may have some Borderline Personality symptoms. Her provocative/shocking statements and odd behaviors that cause others to feel exposed, hurt and vulnerable are dead-ringer actions for people suffering with this form of personality disorder. She should not be leading anyone, she should be in therapy. Step down, lady, and get yourseld some help.
Robin Benveneste (69.223.201.xxx) 2008-02-12 12:21:35
This breathless article doesnt amount to a pitcher of warm spit. If we assume the "allegations", to import a legal word, are true, so what? At best we have some overly pushy people. Like Jews havent been exposed to that before.
At best, which is probably the truth, someone had a bad experiecne. For every bad experience, there are three positive ones. So we've learned nothing.
I'm not orthodox, but if you dont think I can write this exact same type of article regarding Hillel, the ADL, the ACLU, or any other left wing J-org, youre badly deluding yourself. Like everyting in life, some like it, some dont. What else is new?
Im and FFb and happened upon this sight and need to say I agree with all the commenters that this "rebetzin" behavior is way out of line. it also sounds to me like the whole philosophy behind this group is way out of line. How can you be mekarev another jew by harassing them and treating them like garbage. That's antithetical to everything judiasm stands for.
Moreover, Judiasim, unlike other religions, is a firm believer that the ends do not justify the means. If you have to violate Halalcha in order to make somebody religious -- you can't. This principal is probably the single most neglected in orthodox jewish life today. Methods and modus operandi have to strictly confirm to the highest standards of jewish law, not just goals and ideals.
I would just like to say that in my dealings with this group I have NEVER experienced this type of behaviour. I have always been welcomed and treated with respect. I am not saying that this story is completely untrue - who can really say that unless they were there - but I would like to add my support to JAM for welcoming me and so many others. I am sure that those who have had bad experiences are FAR outnumbered by those whose lives have been added to through their involvement with JAM. This is just one person't opinion - do not discount the entire group on the basis of one or two stories. (remember the story of the 5 blind men and the elephant? Each touched a different part of the animal and created an image based upon what they experienced - one a tusk, one an ear, one a foot, one a tail, one the trunk. None were correct about the animal's true nature. I believe that the moral is something along the lines of getting all the information before jumping to conclusions)
I need to say one more thing, as I mentioned before I have no problem with the frum community. I am a full part of it, but the rebbetzin was not just horrible to me once, it happened twice. She met a good friend of mine and treated her with even less respect. I have worked with other JAM rabbis such as Rabbi Klasko, and it was an amazing experience. It is not my opinion that I was ill treated, it is a fact, and Thank G-d I was raised in the frum community or I might have left Judaism from such an experience that brought me to tears. G-d willing this woman's behavior will change due to this article.
I am in shock that people could write such horrible things about people. It is even more shocking that people just read this and believe it! What happened to "judge everyone favorable"? or not to speak "loshon hara" (gossip)? I have know the Zarets for years and must say this article is pure slander. Anyone who has had the privilege to get to know the Zarets know that they are the most altruistic, warm hearted people out there.
Check out this article that relates an entire family's positive experience with JAM and the Zarets.
http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2006/12/28/family-affair/
Seriously?!? Please read this article once again! It is completely biased! Accurate journalism incorporates both sides of the story--this is journalism 101. To the author of this article, Amanda Milstein, where is the other side of the story? And why did you not interview me? I have been involved in JAM for 4 years and have encountered all sorts of students in JAM of different ages, various perspectives, and all walks of life. Why did the author not incorporate ANY of those positive stories? These are the facts: JAM is a SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA based organization and the author of this article, Amanda Milstein, goes to BRANDEIS, on the other side of the US. Now, we have to ask ourselves how accurate could this piece of journalism really be?
Food for thought: As Jews we are taught not to speak Loshon Hara. This article and the comments that follow are all loshon hara. We are constantly faced with adversity, even now fifty years past the Holocaust. So, why is everyone adding to this hate? Doesn't everyone understand you are giving other nations reasons to hate us?
I completely agree with Robin Benveneste, a commentator on this article who said that you could write this same article on any organization. There will always be someone who has a bad experience. But, we must weigh the one, two or three bad experiences against the good. Because I have been around so long in JAM, I feel that there are way more good stories than bad. Several of my friends met on a JAM trip and are now married! Every week, students meet at the JAM rabbi's house and bake challah. It is Jew central! I would say that is pretty positive. Why judge JAM as a whole based on a few unfortunate incidents? To explain, I was in marching band while in high school. During a parade, if one person was out of step, it made our whole band look bad. Now although this is just an analogy...please reflect!
Lauren, I think you could take your own advice to heart.
You make serious accusations against Amanda, with nothing to back them up.
You complain that she only got one side of the story and she should have spoken to you -- Did you get her side of the story before slandering her?
You don't know Amanda. You don't know that SHE IS RELIGIOUS. You don't know how many times she REPEATEDLY called JAM Rabbis to talk to them.
As Amanda says, "Rabbis on JAM's staff did not reply to repeated requests for comment."
I personally gave her the phone numbers for many current and former employees of JAM. I know she spoke to some of the former employees, because those Rabbis told me about the conversation they'd had with her.
Some of those Rabbis are so scared of JAM having them blacklisted by the Wolfson's - the family that supports Litvish Haredi Kiruv - that they wouldn't speak on the record or wouldn't speak at all.
The Wolfson's could pay Amanda a lot of money to find out who said what - and the Rabbis are not prepared to put their families livelihood on the line, for an small little article.
Ad homenium attacks do very little to support your case.
Using your initials and trying to hide your identity doesn't look good either.
Amanda did the research, found the facts, wrote the article and was proud to put her name on it.
Amanda knows that much of what JAM does is great! They're involved in saving Jewish souls - is there a more righteous endeavor?
However there are many problems that need to be addressed, to make JAM an even better organization. Bracha Zaret won't address them. Hopefully this will force her to.
unfortunately nobody cares about positive news, imagine if the New York Times headlines went like this: 200,000 people had a great day! Nobody was killed in the war today! Corporation goes 60 years with no scandals!
no one cares about good news but there is plenty of good news coming from JAM - you just have to turn off your negativity for a few minutes so it can penetrate past your cynicism.
nobody is perfect, people make mistakes(really they do - like publishing this blasphemous article) and when you focus on isolated events you can dig up some dirt.
Rebbetzin Zaret (who i know personally), without exaggeration, has probably interacted with between 10000-12000 college students over the last 25 years.
the fact that you came up with a couple examples of her human deficiencies and caused an online uproar is not newsworthy in my opinion.
Campus Rabbis are wary of the press for this very reason, the press wants to tell ITS story, not YOURS and talking to the press about an article they have already written and decided the outcome for is futile. so of course they declined to comment.
Amanda / Adam, if you want them to talk then maybe you should write an article about them and the good that they do...
i have much more to say but i am afraid it will have to wait
It's sad to hear about these allegations against JAM. I was a student at USC when JAM was first brought to the campus by Rabbi K; at that time it was associated with Hillel. I was not actively involved with the organization, but attended a few events and found Rabbi K and his family to be very warm and kind and never had any negative experiences with them or the organization. However, I never meet any of the other JAM Rabbi's who worked at USC after Rabbi K and am sorry to hear that many students have reported having a negative experience with the organization.
One thing I do want to add is that I hope students do not think from this article all orthodox or JAM Rabbi's are like this. I know another JAM Rabbi at a different southern california school and he and his wife are very nice and are doing a lot of good work on the school they support.
Also, for students at USC, there are other Jewish organizations - Hillel and Chabad - available. I was involved with both organizations, especially Chabad, and found the Rabbi's and staff for those organizations always friendly, inviting and never pushy about attending events or becoming more religious.
Hey Eliyahu Fink, you seemed to be an honest, respectable guy every time we met.
Why now, when you are defending JAM, do you have to resort to their level of deviousness?
Why won't you sign your post Eliyahu Fink, which is your name? The comment box has different sections: Name, E-mail, Title... etc. It's VERY simple directions, but you're hiding your identity.
In your whole post defending the Zarets, you don't explain HOW YOU KNOW THEM. Why do you wish to hide the fact that you're an employee!!
They give you the money, that you use to feed yourself and your family - with that in mind, its no surprise you rush to their defense.
Further more, the Zarets have very close relationship with Aaron Wolfson... who give a lot of money to different orthodox groups. If you piss off the Zarets, you'd find you can't get a job at many orthodox institutions - Aish, Ohr Somayach etc.
If the READERS KNEW, that you WORKED FOR JAM, your post would be hugely discredited, which it now is!
After reading the above article I had avoided Bracha Zaret for some time... I recently spent time with Bracha Zaret and also met some of her students. Although I am overweight she didnt commment! She did invite me for Shabbat dinner and boy does she serve good food. The other students there didnt seem to share these feelings of animosity either.
(if you dont like someone avoid them! If what they do/represent makes you so uncomfortable that you are driven to hate them so much..then I guess join th ranks, you are not the first nor the last...)
(maybe you just have nothing better to do with your time...try this link www.losangeles.jobing.com )
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