February 11. 1997

Mr. Arnold Markowitz
Cult Hotline and Clinic
Jewish Board of Family and
Children's Services, Inc.
120 W. 57th Street
New York, NY 10019

Dear Mr. Markowitz:

I have been informed that the Cult Hotline and Clinic of the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services distributes material to the public which characterizes The Forum as being a cult. I am writing to let you know that this characterization is inaccurate and that The Forum and other programs delivered by Landmark Education Corporation have made a positive contribution to many thousands of Jews.

As a Rabbi, I have been involved for many years with a network of clergy members: Rabbis, Priests and Ministers, whose ministries have been enhanced by the work of Werner Erhard who created The Forum. Many Rabbis and Jewish professionals have participated in The Forum, and they will attest to the fact that The Forum has enhanced their experience of Judaism. Many of these Jewish professionals have also encountered congregants that have participated in The Forum and have seen their relationship to their Judaism motivated and nurtured by The Forum.

In my opinion, The Forum and the other programs of Landmark Education Corporation cannot be considered a cult since they do not have the common characteristics of cults. For example, there is not authoritarian leader and there is not theology or doctrine to worship or believe in. In contrast to a cult, I am informed that a large number of people who participated in The Forum have reported significant improvements in their relationships with their children and families. I am confident that participation in The Forum would benefit families and children, rather than creating a problem about which your organization should be concerned. I can fully state that Mr. Erhard's work has validated my Judaism and my Rabbinate and that of my colleagues and has encouraged and supported deeper relationships and ties to our own families and communities. It is extraordinarily important to acknowledge the thousands of practicing Jews who have benefited by The Forum and who have contributed immeasurably to Jewish creativity and the Jewish community.

Rabbi Arnold Mark Belzer