The Rabbinical Alliance of America — Igud HaRabonim, with a membership of over 950 Orthodox rabbis who serve as spiritual leaders of congregations, Yeshiva’s and communal organizations — representing the Jewish community of the United States, Canada, and overseas affirms its opposition to the planned “Gay Pride March” in Jerusalem.

The Torah describes permitted and forbidden relationships. In contrast, paganism symbolized by ancient Rome celebrated permissiveness and the breaking down of family values and societal boundaries. It is tragic that rather than Torah emerging from Zion and Jerusalem a Roman-style march should pass through it — generating a mockery of what Jerusalem and its residents have held sacred for millennia.

This march is associated with turning the Torah on its head by redefining and supporting that which is prohibited by the Torah. Controlling one’s desires is a cornerstone of the Torah, a prerequisite for acquiring wisdom and communing with the Divine.

Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht, Presidium Chairman of the RAA/Igud, calls on all people who treasure Scripture and tradition to protest peaceably this grave affront to the holy City of Jerusalem. All people are welcome in Jerusalem. However, Jerusalem is designated as sacred and cannot be the stage for protests against the Torah. The RAA/Igud supports the call of Jerusalem’s Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar to remove this march from the City of Jerusalem.

May the One who makes peace in the Heavenly heights make peace upon us and upon all Israel, Amen

Names in picture
Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem, HaRav HaGaon HaChacham Shlomo Amar, Shlit’a greeting in his Jerusalem office RAA/IGUD Presidium Chairman HaRav HaGaon Yehoshua S. Hecht, Shlit’a