Page 6 of this week's JC contains a quite remarkable advert from the London Beth Din . A man - John Abayahoudayan - is pictured with the recommendation that he be banned both from synagogues and any association with his fellow Jews.
It is the ultimate form of naming and shaming, prompted by Mr Abayahoudayan's 15-year refusal to grant his wife a get. The issue of agunah remains as potent and divisive as ever. But although nothing of halachic substance has changed in the Beth Din's attitude, it would be wrong not to recognise that this is a major departure in tactics and attitude towards men such as Mr Abayahoudayan.
The Chief Rabbi's accompanying statement is equally strong. At the very least, this is a creative response to an all too prevalent issue.
