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[[File:JONAHlogo.jpg|thumb|right|JONAH International logo]]
[[File:JONAHlogo.jpg|thumb|right|JONAH International logo]]
'''Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing''' ('''JONAH'''), formerly '''Jews Offering New Alternatives to Homosexuality''',<ref name="History">{{cite web|url=http://www.jonahweb.org/sections.php?secId=11|title=JONAH's History|accessdate=2011-06-28|publisher=JONAH}}</ref> is an [[Orthodox Jewish]] [[non-profit organization]] which offers [[conversion therapy]] and other regimens that purport to change the sexual orientation of individuals who experience unwanted same-sex attraction. JONAH describes itself as "dedicated to educating the world-wide Jewish community about the social, cultural and emotional factors which lead to [[same-sex attraction|same-sex sexual attractions]] (SSAs). JONAH works directly with those struggling with unwanted same-sex attractions and with families whose loved ones are involved in homosexuality.{{clarify|date=July 2012}}"<ref name="Jonah Mission Statement">{{Cite web|url=http://www.jonahweb.org/sections.php?secId=2|title=Jonah Mission Statement|accessdate=2011-05-10|publisher=JONAH|author=Arthur Goldberg}}</ref> JONAH's leaders disagree with the [[mainstream]] scientific consensus and the holding of the world's major mental health organizations that homosexuality is not a disorder.<ref name=ajp>R. L. Spitzer, [http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/138/2/210 "The diagnostic status of homosexuality in DSM-III: a reformulation of the issues"], ''American Journal of Psychiatry'' 138 (1981): 210–15.</ref><ref>[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,904053,00.html "An Instant Cure"], ''Time''; April 1, 1974.</ref><ref>[http://www.apa.org/about/governance/council/policy/sexual-orientation.aspx Resolution on Appropriate Affirmative Responses to Sexual Orientation Distress and Change Efforts]</ref>
'''Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing''' ('''JONAH'''), formerly '''Jews Offering New Alternatives to Homosexuality''',<ref name="History">{{cite web|url=http://www.jonahweb.org/sections.php?secId=11|title=JONAH's History|accessdate=2011-06-28|publisher=JONAH}}</ref> is an [[Orthodox Jewish]] [[non-profit organization]] which offers [[conversion therapy]] and other regimens that purport to change the sexual orientation of individuals who experience unwanted same-sex attraction. JONAH describes itself as "dedicated to educating the world-wide Jewish community about the social, cultural and emotional factors which lead to [[same-sex attraction|same-sex sexual attractions]] (SSAs). JONAH works directly with people with unwanted same-sex attractions and with families whose loved ones are involved in homosexuality.{{clarify|date=July 2012}}"<ref name="Jonah Mission Statement">{{Cite web|url=http://www.jonahweb.org/sections.php?secId=2|title=Jonah Mission Statement|accessdate=2011-05-10|publisher=JONAH|author=Arthur Goldberg}}</ref> JONAH's leaders disagree with the [[mainstream]] scientific consensus and the holding of the world's major mental health organizations that homosexuality is not a disorder.<ref name=ajp>R. L. Spitzer, [http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/138/2/210 "The diagnostic status of homosexuality in DSM-III: a reformulation of the issues"], ''American Journal of Psychiatry'' 138 (1981): 210–15.</ref><ref>[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,904053,00.html "An Instant Cure"], ''Time''; April 1, 1974.</ref><ref>[http://www.apa.org/about/governance/council/policy/sexual-orientation.aspx Resolution on Appropriate Affirmative Responses to Sexual Orientation Distress and Change Efforts]</ref>


==History==
==History==

Revision as of 02:12, 10 December 2012

JONAH International logo

Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing (JONAH), formerly Jews Offering New Alternatives to Homosexuality,[1] is an Orthodox Jewish non-profit organization which offers conversion therapy and other regimens that purport to change the sexual orientation of individuals who experience unwanted same-sex attraction. JONAH describes itself as "dedicated to educating the world-wide Jewish community about the social, cultural and emotional factors which lead to same-sex sexual attractions (SSAs). JONAH works directly with people with unwanted same-sex attractions and with families whose loved ones are involved in homosexuality.[clarification needed]"[2] JONAH's leaders disagree with the mainstream scientific consensus and the holding of the world's major mental health organizations that homosexuality is not a disorder.[3][4][5]

History

JONAH was created in 1999 in Jersey City, New Jersey by Theodore and Elaine Berk and Arthur and Jane Goldberg after each family had a son who revealed his homosexuality[needs copy edit]. Arthur Goldberg is a former secretary-treasurer of the National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality.[1] In 2000, JONAH began providing literature and outreach to gay and bisexual Jews and their families of all denominations from the tri-state area on supposed methods of reducing and eliminating homosexuality, and became a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Since then, it has expanded to include membership in the United States, Israel, Canada, and various European nations. In 2010, JONAH adopted its current logo.[1]

Methodology

JONAH emphasizes[6] the Talmudic understanding of homosexuality as "being led astray" (Nedarim 51a) and therefore of being able "to return" (the Jewish principle of teshuvah).According to JONAH, same-sex attractions may be mitigated and potentially eliminated.[7] JONAH employs the techniques of Richard Cohen, a formerly licensed counselor who has become a prominent conversion therapist.[third-party source needed][8] In addition to therapy, JONAH employs "mentoring and coaching services, group support, [weekend retreats], seminars and outreach" for its participants, all of which is part of the process of becoming heterosexual.

Controversy

In July 2010, a video published by the organization Truth Wins Out features two former participants of JONAH, Ben Unger and Chaim Levin, alleging that Alan Downing, a JONAH counselor, demanded that his participants strip off all of their clothing in front of a mirror and touch their genitals in his presence. Downing released a statement in response denying the charges [9]. After emails were sent to the Association of Orthodox Jewish Scientists linking to the video, the organization initially rescinded a previous invitation to Goldberg to speak at their annual convention, but later allowed him to speak. Dr. Yael Respler of the Jewish Press printed a letter by Goldberg about the incident and noted in response that she herself had engaged in conversion therapy[10].

In November 2012, the Southern Poverty Law Center filed a lawsuit against JONAH, Goldberg, and Downing on behalf on Unger, Levin, two other participants, and two of the participants' mothers for fraudulent practices, illegal under New Jersey's consumer protection laws[11]. The Southern Poverty Law Center has noted that the lawsuit is "groundbreaking" insofar as it is "the first time a conversion therapy provider has been sued for fraudulent business practices."[12]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "JONAH's History". JONAH. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
  2. ^ Arthur Goldberg. "Jonah Mission Statement". JONAH. Retrieved 10 May 2011.
  3. ^ R. L. Spitzer, "The diagnostic status of homosexuality in DSM-III: a reformulation of the issues", American Journal of Psychiatry 138 (1981): 210–15.
  4. ^ "An Instant Cure", Time; April 1, 1974.
  5. ^ Resolution on Appropriate Affirmative Responses to Sexual Orientation Distress and Change Efforts
  6. ^ Goldberg, Arthur. Light in the Closet. Red Heifer Press, 2008, p. 13.
  7. ^ Ben Newman (2003). "Is Change Really Possible?". JONAH. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
  8. ^ Elaine Silodor Berk; Arthur A. Goldberg. "JONAH'S Psycho-Educational Model for Healing". JONAH. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
  9. ^ Steve Lipman (27 July 2010). "Controversy Over Therapy For 'Curing' Homosexuals". Jewish Week. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
  10. ^ http://www.jewishpressads.com/printArticle.cfm?contentid=45901
  11. ^ http://abcnews.go.com/Health/nj-lawsuit-alleges-jonah-gay-conversion-therapy-fraud/story?id=17814302&singlePage=true#.UMVAeIPAeSo
  12. ^ http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/news/splc-files-groundbreaking-lawsuit-accusing-conversion-therapy-organization-of-frau

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