- agree

Ori: Of course they don’t want Jews to be Non Orthodox. However, there is a world of difference between not wanting Jews to be Non Orthodox, and not wanting the Jews who are non-Orthodox. The first is a rejection of ideas. The second would be a rejection of people.

People have inherent worth. Ideas do not.

The American Yated innovated a weekly digest of Lakewood NJ news.

I happen to think that the Anerican Yated has many good points, despite that I do not find it “worldly” enough to meet my needs. Nevertheless, if I had to share a newspaper with a non-Orthodox person, it would probably be Hamodia.

- what do we think about Orthodox who have sinned?

- cold cuts

the fact that charedim are trying to make people orthodox is a actually a proof that they DON’T want non orthodox.

- this is a myth. In general I find chasidim much more balanced and normal in their approach to life than fahrbrenter charedim. It’s like the myth that Chofetz Chaim Yeshiva is more open minded because the boys (used to) wear grey hats. Strong baalei shitah often wear the garb of the open minded.

Second: Those of you who have had or continue to have non-Jewish seder guests, how do you deal with the halachic problem of cooking for a non-Jew for Yom Tov, considering that there is a gezera that the Jew will cook extra on YT in the event of shortages? I have heard a number of anecdotal statements about serious people (one who comes to mind is Chief Rabbi Herzog z”l) who had non-Jews at their sedorim. I have had non-Jewish guests only on Shabbos, although the mekubalim would not like that either.

So far, Orthodox spokesmen have said publically that we don’t deny the Jewishness of Reform Jews, etc., but what becomes of this when the time comes and most of them are objectively not Jewish?

We once had as guests the family of one of my chemistry professors, Catholics, who had basically asked for an invitation. His kids’ knowledge of “Old Testament” was astounding, especially considering that at that time especially, Catholics were actually not encouraged to read the bible - new or old. They were fabulous seder guests, fascinated with all of it. You have to take advantage of “teachable moments” no matter what the audience, and without preaching.

I think the fact that guests sense that children are happy to welcome strangers into their home adds to the guests feeling welcome, and to the positive Seder experience(whether or not they see the children dancing ).

For the record, I believe that the Jewish Observer recently did an article on kiruv via the internet, alerting readers on how they can refer people to kiruv sites, even if they do not use the internet themselves.

Hamodia’s policy, however, points to the need for an alternative Frum media– print or online– for those who want, or need to have a more “real” picture of reality. After all, conceding that the internet has a positive side, is a fact, and some people are more comfortable focusing on such facts. I agree, though, that the current system helps the majority of people maximize their potential in avodas Hashem, and that the majority do not lose anything by not focusing on the web’s positive features.

“is there really no traction within the Orthodox community to the idea that we would be better off without the non-Orthodox”

Sadly-I believe I have heard such thoughts from students who went are going to some of our finest and largest yeshivas.
To be fair I haven’t heard such thoughts from the leaders-but the some way where some variations of MO are responsible in an eglah arifah fashion for the Baruch Goldsteins etc-so are some of the chareid responsible for some or the hatred expressed about “frei yidden”