Kiruv Programming

I saw an interesting post, on the website FailedMessiah. The post discusses effects of the Kiruv programs, upon Jewish girls, by the organization Aish Ha'Torah.

The article discusses the shortcomings of summer Kiruv programs. It compares the experience, of coming back to high school with a new found sense of religion, to "a summer romance" that doesn't last.

My religious beliefs developed predominantly through private study. But, I have dealt with, my fair share of, Kiruv programs since I became religious. I have seen first hand the rise and fall of peoples, as well as my own, religiosity.

The article also points out a problem, concurrent with a problem I spoke about in the post "The 'Jewish' State... Sort of", regarding the removal of the diverse nature of Judaism, through a dismissal, by Kiruv advisers, of any interpretation of Halacha (e.g. Sephardi) that does not coincide with their ideals of Judaism.

This is a very interesting article. I feel that I should be read and discussed throughout the Jewish community as much as possible.