12 OPINION
30 JUNE 2022
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OPINION
The opinions on this page do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper
When do we get involved? OPINION PIECE BY ROBERT FESTENSTEIN
Traditionally we have been keen to maintain a low profile, only raising our communal heads where we are directly affected. Typically this has meant kashrut and brit milah, as well as scanning the recently deceased in order to avoid a post mortem. More recently as has been covered in this column there have been issues over education and in particular the apparent failure by some religious schools to provide a decent secular education. There are some Jewish groups who have got involved with wider ranging matters, such as climate change and refugees. Anyone who has any interest in women’s rights will have seen that these are increasingly under attack, particularly from many activists. Last year Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust told staff to use terms like ‘birthing parents’ and ‘human milk’ rather than referring to ‘mothers’ milk’. If there has been Jewish input on these issues, they have not been reported on widely. In addition, where Jewish
commentary also appears to be missing is in relation to gender change, or gender reassignment as it is more often described. So why should either of these be of any concern to us? It is to be hoped that the answer is self-evident. I am sure that shuls are going to be reluctant to re-name the ladies toilets, though this is perhaps the least of the problems arising from this issue. What is of significant concern is the apparent ease with which children (by which I mean those under 18) can start the process to change gender. The NHS guidance on gender dysphoria (those with issues over their gender identity) makes reference to a number of matters, including the phrase: ‘From the age of 16, teenagers who’ve been on
hormone blockers for at least 12 months may be given cross-gender hormones, also known as gender-affirming hormones’. It is clear from this that a child of 15 can take drugs to enhance this effect. This literally life changing treatment is available to a child who meets the criteria. What is of concern is that the Jewish community appears to be taking no interest in this. Children can obtain treatment to ultimately have a gender-change in their late teens or early twenties. I am no psychologist though it is well known that an individual goes through many phases as they grow, into their teens and twenties, and often a view held by someone at 16 can develop into a completely opposite one by 18 or 21.
Society is allowing life changing decisions to be made by people who are not only vulnerable, but arguably not really able to take that decision.
WORTHY OF A
BRACHA!
THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM
In other words, society is allowing life changing decisions to be made by people who are not only vulnerable, but arguably not really able to take that decision. Where is the protection for these children? We have reached this position by stealth, so that the status of women is now under challenge and vulnerable children are making decisions which perhaps they should not be making. Whilst these are not specifically Jewish issues, they are manifestly issues which face everyone and that includes us. I am not suggesting that gender reassignment should be stopped, just that there should be greater scrutiny of what is being done in the name of health, particularly where our children are concerned. Similarly, where women’s rights are being infringed, we need to be getting involved. These issues are far too important for us to think they are not relevant to our community. Robert Festenstein is a practising solicitor and has been the principal of his Salford based firm for over 20 years. He has fought BDS motions to the Court of Appeal and is President of the Zionist Central Council in Manchester which serves to protect and defend the democratic State of Israel.
