Atzat Nefesh

Atzat Nefesh (Hebrew: עצת נפש‎) ("Psychological Advice") is an Orthodox Jewish conversion therapy organization based in Israel that promotes sexual orientation change efforts.

History

Atzat Nefesh was founded in 2001 by Rabbi Shlomo Aviner. Specifically, it addresses people who are dealing with homosexuality, masturbation; pornography, or prostitution; or have been victims of sexual abuse.

Atzat Nefesh operates support groups and a hotline staffed by volunteers with a yeshiva background.[1] The organization believes that with the proper treatment it is possible to change sexual behavior and sexual orientation.[2] Atzat Nefesh upholds the view that by strengthening the masculinity of homosexuals, they will discover their hidden, inborn heterosexuality. To that purpose it organizes three day long workshops, called "Journey to masculinity". The organization directs its applicants to therapists who use conversion therapy methods.

Controversy

The Israel Ministry of Health in October 2014 adopted the position paper of the Israel Psychological Association which prohibits the use of conversion therapy, as advocated by Atzat Nefesh, and warned the public about such treatments.

In March 2015, Israeli blogger and gay rights advocate Natan Azulay went undercover to receive “conversion therapy” from Atzat Nefesh, and then published a report on the Israeli website Mako. Azulay’s report indicates that Atzat Nefesh continues to refer people to “therapists” whose training is questionable and who are not considered mental health professionals. Azulay's home was subsequently attacked with threatening graffiti that read (in English translation), “homo, we’ll murder you.” A complaint was filed on suspicion of threats and destruction of property. A police investigation is reported to be focusing on a violent element that is trying to intimidate Azulay. Following the incident, the Israeli Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Association HaAguda filed a complaint with the government's registrar of associations to examine the activities of Atzat Nefesh, and also submitted a request to the Attorney General of Israel to take action against organizations that promote conversion therapy.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Lichtman, Gail. (November 25, 2005) Jerusalem Post Nature or nurture? Section: Features; Page 18.
  2. ↑ Aviner, Rabbi Shlomó. "The Equivocation" (in Spanish).

External links

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