Jewish sex book could spark anti-Semitism
Thursday, March 6, 2008
A new book about sex in the Old Testament has been accused of fueling anti-Semitism.
The book called Jews and Sex is a controversial collection of essays on topics including sexual imagery and homosexuality in the Bible, lesbian Yiddish poetry and Jews in pornography.
It was written by Jewish academic
Dr Nathan Abrams and is due to be launched next week but it has already been the subject of criticism from within the Jewish community.
According to Mr Abrams, there is concern that some anti-Semites could use the book to justify their hateful stance towards Jewish people.
However, the 36-year-old author, who grew up in Highgate and is now a lecturer at Bangor University, said: "War Propaganda made Jewish men out to be very effeminate but then there was also propaganda that painted Jewish men as stealing away, and corrupting, gentile women.
"That is why anti-Semitic people like the book - they say it justifies this view of sexually corrupting Jews.
"I did think about this before I put together the book, but these people shouldn't stop us from having a healthy debate.
"This is an academic work and I didn't just select stuff in a sensationalist way to provoke outrage.
"It wasn't an essay to condone the porn industry, but it is an aspect of Jewish life good or bad so let's talk about it.
"Ron Jeremy, who is one of the most famous porn stars, is Jewish.
"Some people don't like it but just like every other group, sex is a part of us and many Jews do pride themselves on their liberal attitudes.
http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article....&in_page_id=34