A controversial spiritual development program entangled in debates over cult-like practices.
Call of the Shofar, a spiritual development organization with activities reported in cities like Baltimore, Maryland; Silver Spring, Maryland; Brooklyn, New York; Monsey, New York; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Los Angeles, California; and Jerusalem, Israel, has been the subject of intense scrutiny and debate within the Jewish community. Despite operating for several years, it wasn’t until December 2013 that it received significant media attention, which resulted in mixed reviews. The director of Call of the Shofar responded to allegations from rabbis and therapists that labeled the program as a cult, defending the organization’s methods and objectives.
The program garnered mixed to unfavorable reviews, particularly from the Chabad community. Prominent figures like Rabbi Shea Hecht initially called it a “kosher cult,” and other rabbis, such as Yaakov Schwei and Yosef Braun of the Crown Heights Beth Din, declared participation in the program as forbidden under Jewish law. Despite these criticisms, some in the Chabad community have defended the program’s intent to promote spiritual growth, and the organization has received rabbinical approbations, although some were later questioned or withdrawn.
Steven Frischling, the man behind Call of the Shofar, has denied the accusations of leading a cult. He claims that the workshops are profoundly positive and insists that they are educational rather than therapeutic. Frischling’s workshops aim to help individuals dealing with pain, conflict, or developmental arrest, emphasizing that Call of the Shofar is not an alternative to traditional Jewish practices or a substitute for professional therapy. Instead, it is presented as complementary, with suggestions for participants to pursue follow-up activities, including a 10-week course provided by Call of the Shofar or conventional therapy.
Critics have raised concerns about the program’s methods, suggesting that they resemble Large Group Awareness Training (LGAT) practices, known for intense emotional experiences, confidentiality, and potential for psychological manipulation. Reports highlight the use of non-traditional exercises, including “carpet work” and intensive self-disclosure sessions, which have led to profound experiences for some participants but have also raised eyebrows among observers who question the program’s psychological safety and its compatibility with Jewish law.
As debates continue, Call of the Shofar has faced cancellations and criticisms that threaten its operations. Yet, the organization still finds support among those who claim to have benefited from its workshops, highlighting a complex and polarized response within the community to this controversial program.
image via YouTube
