December 8, 2006
Gay Rabbis and Gay Unions May Be Okay
On Wednesday, the Committee on Jewish Law and Standard, which guides the Conservative Judaism movement, voted to allow gay rabbis and gay unions. While the move was hailed by some and denounced by others, the other mechanics of how this ruling will work. From the NY Times:
But in a reflection of the divisions in the movement, the 25 rabbis on the law committee passed three conflicting legal opinions — one in favor of gay rabbis and unions, and two against.But the group also "upheld the current ban on gay rabbis or teachers, or other leadership positions" and "calls for a therapeutic approach in dealing with the causes of homosexuality," according to Jewish Week. Even with this middle ground, four rabbis resigned from the organization in protest.In doing so, the committee left it up to individual synagogues to decide whether to accept or reject gay rabbis and commitment ceremonies, saying that either course is justified according to Jewish law.
“We believe in pluralism,” said Rabbi Kassel Abelson, chairman of the panel, the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards of the Rabbinical Assembly, at a news conference after the meeting at the Park Avenue Synagogue in New York. “We recognized from the very beginnings of the movement that no single position could speak for all members” on the law committee or in the Conservative movement.
At the Jewish Theological Seminary, the JTS Students for Change were pleased. The Columbia Spectator reports that the group's head Ira Stup said, "We are gratified that a position has been passed that allows for a greater inclusion of gays and lesbians in Jewish life and we rejoice. Our next step is to come together and ensure that JTS accepts an opinion that will allow for Jewish gays and lesbians to be accepted into the rabbinical school." That next step is up to the JTS's chancellor, who will ultimately decided whether gay and lesbians will be accepted. A JTS professor, Dr. Joel Roth, was one of the rabbis who resigned; he said, "My main thesis was that it was unacceptable for Conservative Jews to not behave as thousands of years of Jewish law had commanded."
The debate will rage on. Until then, enjoy this feature from Gay.com about Hanukkah - and check out the great yarmulkes!
Photograph of Rabbi Joel Roth of the Jewish Theological Seminary explaining why he resigned from the Assembly Committee on Jewish Law and Standards by Kathy Willens/AP
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Ah, I see Rabbi Joel Roth resigned because "it was only this big."
approving your corruption according to the spirit lucifer, G-D hates also. does not mean G-D has approved of your corruption. no matter how much the enemies of G-D approve of your corruption. shalomcha vshalomech???,?...
if G-D has only one belief for a righteous man, and you have two. then both of your possessed split personalities are wrong. shalomcha vshalomech???,?...