R' Elimelech Firer is a person who has spent DECADES helping people with medical issues in all types of ways. He works about 18 hours a day and asks the people he helps for nothing. He helps men, women and children, religious and secular. He has saved countless lives and helped countless people. He is making a fundraiser to support his holy work and caused a storm. He invited male performers but no female performers. He is a Chasidic man who wears a long jacket, untrimmed beard - the works. It is against his religious values to have women sing publicly. But people said that he is offending women!! How can he not invite female singers?? TERRIBLE. Some performers are refusing to perform because of his offensive anti-woman policy. A SCANDAL! WE MUST BOYCOTT!!
We all understand where he comes from. None of us had women singing at our Bar Mitzvas and weddings - or have them as Chazanim [or Chazoniot] in our shuls. It is not because we don't like women. If we didn't like them - we wouldn't marry them! It is because it is not halachically permitted. But the secular [some of them] have their own narrative. They are so far away from any concept of kedusha and tzniyus, so all they see is discrimination.
So I have a suggestion for them. The Israeli army is FILLED with sexual harassment against women. [And remember that there are many cases which AREN'T reported. Statistics say that 97 percent of sexual harassment cases aren't reported]. BOYCOTT THE ARMY!! Instead of starting with people who dedicate their lives to helping others and trying to impede their life saving work - clean up your own house first. Israeli society is filled on all levels with sexual harassment against women - not to mention the fact that women are portrayed in the media as being sex objects. Even the mainstream newspapers have pornographic pictures [at least they did 30 years ago when I stopped reading those filthy papers BARUCH HASHEM!! I am talking about the regular papers that the average Israeli buys].
They like to attack frum people when they have so many problems of their own. THAT is a scandal.
They like to attack frum people when they have so many problems of their own. THAT is a scandal.
